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Microsoft Internet Explorer 3 is a graphical web browser released on August 13, 1996 by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows and on January 8, 1997 for Apple Mac OS (see IE for Mac). It began serious competition against Netscape Navigator in the first Browser war.[3] It was the first more widely used version of Internet Explorer, although it did not surpass Netscape or become the browser with the most market share. During its tenure, IE market share went from roughly 3-9% in early 1996 to 20-30% by the end of 1997.[4][5][6][7] In September 1997 it was superseded by Microsoft Internet Explorer 4. Internet Explorer 3 was the first major browser with CSS support. It also introduced support for ActiveX controls, Java applets, inline multimedia, and the Platform for Internet Content Selection (PICS) system for content metadata. Version 3 also came bundled with Internet Mail and News, NetMeeting, and an early version of the Windows Address Book, and was itself included with Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2. There were 16-bit and 32-bit versions depending on the OS. IE3 was the first version developed without Spyglass source code, but still used Spyglass technology, so the Spyglass licensing information remained in the program's documentation. In 1996 Microsoft said of its new browser "Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 adds many new features which are great for HTML authors and demonstrates our accelerating commitment to W3C HTML standards. " [8] Internet Explorer 3 is no longer available for download from Microsoft. However, archive 16- and 32-bit versions are legally and publicly available from Evolt.org. These include Internet Explorer 3.03 for Windows 3.1, Internet Explorer 3.03 for Windows NT 3.51, Internet Explorer 3.0 (distribution version), Internet Explorer 3.0 for Windows NT, Internet Explorer 3.02 for Windows 95 (minimum install), Internet Explorer 3.02 for Windows 95 (typical install), Internet Explorer 3.02 for Windows 95 (full install), and Internet Explorer 3.02 for Windows NT 4.0 (full install).
[edit] OverviewInternet Explorer 3.0 was released free of charge in August 1996 by bundling it with Windows 95 OSR2, another OEM release. Microsoft thus made no direct revenues on IE and was liable to pay Spyglass only the minimum quarterly fee. In 1997, Spyglass threatened Microsoft with a contractual audit, in response to which Microsoft settled for $8 million U.S.[9] Version 3 included Internet Mail and News 1.0 and the Windows Address Book. It also brought the browser much closer to the bar that had been set by Netscape, including the support of Netscape's plugins technology (NPAPI), ActiveX, frames, and a reverse-engineered version of JavaScript named JScript. Later, Microsoft NetMeeting and Windows Media Player were integrated into the product and thus helper applications became not as necessary as they once were. Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) were also introduced with version 3 of Internet Explorer. While IE1 and IE2 were said have "paled" in comparison to Netscape, IE3 "delivers a crushing blow to Netscape". [10] The user interface notably changes, with much larger buttons, with more intricate icons, and with a light grey design behind it . [11] Unlike later IE versions, users who upgraded to IE3, could still use the last IE by converting the previous version to separate directory. [12] It also could import favorites into IE3 from IE1 or 2. [10]The competition between Netscape and Microsoft heated up, with some saying the Internet community "became polarized on the issue of which web browser had the most features" [13] Other new features included Jscript, ActiveMovie multimedia API, HTML Layout Control, Quick Links toolbar, VRML, CSS [14]
Backwards compatibility was handled by allowing Users who upgraded to IE3 to still use the last IE, because the installation converted the previous version to separate directory. [21] [edit] SecurityThe Princeton Word Macro Virus Loophole was discovered on August 22, 1996, nine days after Internet Explorer 3, which could allow Webmasters to download files to a user's computer via a backdoor. [22] Microsoft patched the vulnerability the next day. [22] However, researchers went on find more vulnerabilities and new types of problems, such as the ability to spoof a website (similar to the later phishing problem). These issues triggered public concern over browser security. [22] The Microsoft Authenticode expired on June 30, 1997, after which IE users needed to upgrade to Authenticode 2.0 which required at least IE 3.02 [23] Authenticode is a Code signing technology. [edit] Internet Explorer version 3.0 for MacintoshSee also: Internet Explorer for Mac Internet Explorer 3 for Macintosh was released on January 8, 1997 for PPC, and added support for the SSL and NTLM security protocols and the PICS and RSACi rating systems that can be used to control access to websites based on content ratings. On November 5, 1996 Microsoft announced the release of a beta version for Mac of Internet Explorer version 3.0. This release added support for HTML version 3.2, Cascading Style Sheets [24], Java applets and ActiveX controls. Keith Mitchell of Macworld noted in November 1996, when discussing the IE mac version, "With the near-simultaneous release of Netscape Navigator 3.0 (415/528-2555, http://www.netscape.com ) and Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 (206/882-8080, http://www.microsoft.com ), both companies are tripping over each other to entice Web users to their products." [25] A problem with an operating system extension used in the Mac OS called CFM68K Runtime Enabler, led to a delay in the release of the version 3.0 for Macs based on the 68k line of processors. Four months later on May 14, Microsoft released version 3.01 which included a version for 68k-based machines. This version also included features from the Windows version of Internet Explorer 4.0 such as AutoComplete and Monitoring Favorites that notified users when sites in their Favorites list have been updated. It also included support for JavaScript and introduced a Download Manager and a Cookie Manager. MacUser's review noted "While Netscape Navigator 3.0 is more feature-laden and consequently bigger and slower than previous incarnations, Microsoft Internet Explorer has been refined and optimised into a Web browser that has almost as many features, but is both smaller and faster than its rival." [26] [edit] Bundled and/or integrated softwareIE3 launched with a variety of integrated apps, with some added later. [27]
Later versions of Internet Explorer 3 also included:
IE3 also included Microsoft Java Virtual Machine, which continued to be included until 5.5 when due to legal battle between Sun and Microsoft, it had to be removed from the product. Microsoft stopped offering it in 2001, although it was supported for several years after this (until the end of 2007). [edit] Adoption capability overviewInternet Explorer 3.0 had support for Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows NT 3.51[30], and Windows NT 4.0. Version 3.0 was included in Windows 95 OSR2, but Windows 98 launched with IE4. Major MS OS releases after Win 98, switched to supporting Internet Explorer 4 (or higher). Internet Explorer 3 had a Beta supporting Solaris (UNIX). IE4 integration with the OS meant systems that upgraded from IE3 to 4, or came with 4, could not easily revert to IE3 (see Removal of Internet Explorer). The Mac OS version supported PPC and 68k Macs, superseding IE 2.1. Microsoft released various 16- and 32-bit versions for Windows. [edit] EncryptionThe last patch versions of Internet Explorer 3 supported 40-bit and 128-bit encryption, using Server Gated Cryptography (SGC). [31] 256-bit encryption would not become available in IE for nearly 10 years with, the Windows Vista version Internet Explorer 7. 128-bit encryption was available or included for these versions:[31]
If it was not possible to upgrade to 128-bit, then 40-bit (SGC) was standard.[31] [edit] Versions
[edit] Overview
3.02a was the last IE3 for Windows 3.1 and 3.01 for Mac OS, before Internet Explorer 4.0. [edit] References
[edit] External links
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