MSN Explorer BrowserThe Touchy-Feely Alternative to IE

In addition to Internet Explorer, Microsoft has included its new breed of Web browser in the XP package. Dubbed MSN Explorer, it is more personalized than IE6: To use it, you must have a Microsoft Passport or Hotmail address, which is covered in the next section.

Begin by opening MSN Explorer from the Start menu; click the butterfly icon. If you are online, a wizard will guide you through the procedure to set up MSN Explorer. You will need to do this only once: Signing on in the future will be simpler and can be automated.

After you are signed in to MSN Explorer, you will see a window similar to Figure 9.18. Notice that it is already customized somewhat, giving you a personal greeting tailored to your time zone. Information about the city in which you live (according to the ZIP code you gave when you signed up for Hotmail) is also prominent. The toolbar shows how many new Hotmail messages are waiting for you. Simply click the mail button to display your Web-based Hotmail inbox. If you have MSN Messenger buddies, a number next to the icon will show you how many of them are online. By clicking the icon, a drop-down list appears with Messenger options to connect you with your buddies.

Figure 9.18. MSN Explorera new browser with a new look.

The downside to all this customization is that you cannot choose your own home page in MSN Explorer. The home page is permanently set to http://www.msn.com, although you can personalize it by choosing the MSN features and news you want to see. In addition, if you are frustrated that a significant portion of the main MSN Explorer screen is used for tool and navigation bars, you can make a bit more room for viewing Web pages by minimizing the one on the left (see Figure 9.18).

Fans of Internet Explorer who open multiple IE windows while surfing the Web might be frustrated with the multiple-window format that MSN Explorer uses. The easiest way to open up additional windows is to type Ctrl+N within MSN Explorer. Or, you can click More Choices to the right of the address bar and select New Window from the drop-down list. Each new window that opens will be in a different format from the main MSN Explorer windowthe My Stuff and main toolbars will not appear, leaving more room to view Web pages. It's all connected, more so than in other programs: Closing the main MSN Explorer window will close all its subwindows.

MSN Explorer does have its advantages: With personalized content and the possibilities of multiple users on a single computer, you can sign on and be sure to see all the information that you want to see. This includes email, an integrated calendar, your MSN buddy list, favorite Web sites, stock quotes, and more. Because the information is Web-based, it is particularly handy when traveling. You can sign on to MSN Explorer from any computer and have all your personalized settings at your disposal. The information about your home town will make it easier to keep in touch, get local weather forecasts and news, and possibly alleviate homesickness.

To add a user, click Add New User from the opening screen of MSN Explorer. (You will need to sign out if you are already signed in.) Each User chooses a unique picture, which is used as an identifying icon, making it easier to see who's who.