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Microsoft Commitment to Support all Major OS Platforms Including Mac

 

Microsoft Corp. today announced plans for development of a version of Microsoft Internet Explorer for UNIX(R), delivering on its commitment to provide full-featured Web browser support on all major operating system platforms. The company also announced the availability of new beta versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer version 2.1 for the Windows(R) 3.1 operating system and Macintosh(R) platform. The version for UNIX of the company's technology-leading browser, due to be released by the end of this year, will include the same functionality as Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 on the Windows 95 and Windows NT(R) operating systems.

Internet Explorer for UNIX Microsoft plans to deliver Microsoft Internet Explorer for popular UNIX platforms by the end of 1996. The native UNIX release, which is planned to deliver equivalent functionality as that provided in Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 for Windows 95 and Windows NT, will include support for Solaris and other popular variants of UNIX. Microsoft will also provide development tool kits for building ActiveX Controls on the supported UNIX platforms. "Microsoft Internet Explorer is built on our commitment to supporting and promoting open standards, including HTML, ActiveX and Java," said John Ludwig, vice president of the Internet platform and tools division at Microsoft. "It is a priority for Microsoft to provide customers with the broadest platform choice for viewing the great content these standards make possible. With the release of new versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer for the Macintosh, Windows 3.1 and UNIX, Microsoft will deliver upon that commitment."

Support for Internet Content Standards The Microsoft Internet Explorer updates for Windows 3.1 and Macintosh add to the Web browser's already comprehensive content-viewing capabilities by providing support for frames and animated GIF files. "For over ten years, SoftQuad has offered multiplatform solutions for content creators of structured documents," said David Gurney, chairman and CEO of SoftQuad Inc. "We continue to meet our customer requirements by providing HoTMetaL PRO on Windows, Macintosh and UNIX platforms. This allows content developers the flexibility to choose the platform on which they are most productive and helps corporations leverage their IS investments. Our customers are excited about HoTMetaL PRO and how it allows the easy creation of active Web content using ActiveX. With Internet Explorer and ActiveX available on all major platforms by the end of the year, it will be even easier for users to work with state-of-the art tools for the Internet and corporate intranets."

Optimized for Native Platform Standards Microsoft Internet Explorer for the Macintosh takes advantage of native Macintosh capabilities by including support for key technologies such as built-in QuickTime(R) for movies, QuickTime VR for virtual-reality simulations, and Open Transport for high-performance TCP/IP connections. It also includes support for virtual reality modeling language (VRML) through Apple QuickDraw() 3D. Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.1 for Windows 3.1 is a compelling browser for users of 16-bit Windows. By adding frames, animated GIF file viewing, and background sound support to the already-popular version 2.0, Microsoft Internet Explorer provides the widest array of functionality for users of Windows 3.1. Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.0, released in May 1996, is available today in three versions. In addition to the base browser, users can obtain a version that includes the browser plus a TCP/IP protocol stack and dialer, and a third version that includes the browser and Internet mail client, plus a TCP/IP protocol stack and PPP dialer, giving users of Windows 3.1 everything they need to connect to the Internet.

Availability The beta 1 version of Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.1 for the Macintosh is available today for download. Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.1 for Windows 3.1 is scheduled to be available the third week of August, and Microsoft Internet Explorer for UNIX is scheduled for availability by the end of 1996. All versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer are available for no-charge download from the Microsoft Web page

 

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