Nerd’s Words (sm)

This one is for the PC.

Microsoft has released their newest version of Internet Explorer, IE version 8. If it isn’t already on your computer, it will be. Microsoft has designated it a “critical” update and is pushing it out to all users.

If you’re a Firefox flamer or a Chrome head, this blog won’t interest you, but most of us just use whatever comes with the box, and that means Internet Explorer.

The Internet has become a major part of our lives, so the tool we use to use the Internet has become a major part of our lives as well. So when Microsoft releases a new version of IE, well, it matters.

So let me see if I can get the important stuff out to you. I already said the first thing, IE 8 is here and it will be on your computer shortly if it isn’t already.

The next idea: Your computer is going to need 1 GB of RAM. If your computer has “only” 512 MB of RAM, it’s going to slow down.

In September, 2008 I said if you didn’t have 512 MB, you didn’t have enough.

That was then. This is now.

The new version of IE uses 580 MB of RAM. You can run it, but it will run slowly. The reason it uses so much memory is because of the many new features people are using. Features like:

• video on Web pages
• maps and graphs and high resolution pictures
• when you type a search word into Google, possible choices “pop up” as you’re typing, anticipating what you’re going to type
• when you “hover” the arrow over certain portions of a Web page, little text boxes pop up

All these features require more RAM.

There are also at least two new features in IE 8 that have to do with security and maintaining your privacy.

There’s a feature called “accelerators” that I’m looking forward to using. And another called “web slices” that I will probably use when I bid on things on eBay.

The future is calling, this time in the guise of a new Web browser. We are again faced with more to learn, more to use, and more to do.

Microsoft has a whole collection of short videos to explain and help you figure out the new IE 8. Go here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/videos.aspx

On it you will find pictures of pretty girls, soothing music, spiffy graphics, and just enough helpful information to get you going.

As for the complaint that the Internet is becoming “too complicated,” I would like to repeat something I made up more than 30 years ago, something I call Lionel’s Law:

No matter how much computer you have,
it will eventually become less than you need.

-LLiioonneell
Lionel Goulet
Te Deum