Upgrade Your Browser! Now! :)

[Aquariusmoon]

WIth Google saying that it will stop support for Internet Explorer 6, and a new HTML 5 coming soon, we may be reaching the end of a lot of support for the LLB. I may be wrong, but somehow with all the new stuff coming out even more sites may be unaccessible.

I left WebTV back in 2006, after finally finding out I can afford a second-hand computer. I started on MSN and kept the box for a few months, and then I found cable (groan under some of the bills). Things I like: online radio, having my own html tools to build my site, no limitations on the length of a thread. Things I miss: the old discuss groups with their fellowship and common communications-there's really nothing like it out there in the computer world, although I try to make do with some sites.

If you are already on the computer, upgrade your browser! I left IE a long time ago when it started being unreliable in actually bringing up my homepage and moved to Mozilla...(I still have IE-but it's IE 8, and sometimes I run into sites that only can handle Internet Explorer, mostly Government and Banking sites)
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Google-Goes-for-the-Jugular-Drops-Support-for-IE-6-in-Docs-and-Sites-133588.shtml
Google Goes For the Jugular, Drops Support for IE 6 in Docs and Sites
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2358616,00.asp
Google Phases Out Support for IE6

"They're right. Even though Microsoft will officially be supporting IE6 until 2014, it's been a bad idea to run it for some time now. It lacks many of the security features built in to IE7 and IE8. Ending support will also make programming of complex sites easier for Google, since implementations of web 2.0 features in different versions of IE differ significantly." Quote from PC Mag

For the few still using Netscape:

http://browser.netscape.com
"Official End of Support Given AOL's current business focus and the success the Mozilla Foundation has had in developing critically-acclaimed products, we feel it's the right time to end development of Netscape branded software. Read the history page for more details about this decision."

(Some people have more ancient software, so I'm including this for those who do)

Google Chrome:

http://www.google.com/chrome
(Good browser, very fast, not a lot of features yet)

http://iedeathmarch.org/

(Gives good reasons to switch)

Of course, this also affects YouTube and Google Videos-they too are phasing out support for IE6

I would like to start listing ways in which a person can get an inexpensive computer and inexpensive internet access to make the jump easier. I got lucky: there's a computer repair shop near where I live, and I realized that like with any other repair shop, some folks never come back for the repaired stuff. So I was able to get everything for 200 dollars (monitor and all).

Good sources for used computers are places like Government Surplus stores, Repair shops, and Community Groups that supply low-income people with refurbished computers. Computers gotten from those places know people who can supply support and repair services, which is important during those first few days on the computer.

[Arbor-Steve]

I would like to start listing ways in which a person can get an inexpensive computer and inexpensive internet access to make the jump easier. I got lucky: there's a computer repair shop near where I live, and I realized that like with any other repair shop, some folks never come back for the repaired stuff. So I was able to get everything for 200 dollars (monitor and all).

The definition of "inexpensive" will vary with person, but you can often find a nice, brand new, complete computer system (keyboard, computer, DVD, 19" flat screen LCD) for under $400. Right before Christmas, Costco had such complete systems for $360, although I don't think they are available anymore.

Steve

[Aquariusmoon]

I was thinking about the person who thinks $250 is expensive and who, just like me, was staying on the LBB because I thought I couldn't afford better.

Sounds great, but "new" is relative. Sometimes you can get good refurbished stuff. Sometimes a person wants to upgrade and has something less than a year old that they are trying to get rid of. Let's not forget too, that with this economy, some places may have deep discounts on stuff just to get you to buy up inventory.

A lot of people want something with no extra payments or a starter that's not too complicated to master, or prefer something that's broken in already.

Now purely new stuff will have a warranty (not worth all that much) and a perfectly clean drive with no viruses and software issues. A good refurbisher will make sure the hard drive is wiped clean and that everything works. In any event, Google the place where you are going to buy for reviews.