K Barrett wrote:
Hi all,

OK, this is on topic only because we're all reading this group on
computers, so I have a computer question.

My ISP changed to Giganews, making access to Usenet difficult.
Therefore I'm taking this opportunity to research changing from Outlook
Express to some other news reader. I'm also taking this opportunity to
finally stop using Internet Explorer as a browser. Something I intended
to do 4-5 yrs ago, heh.

I'm considering Mozilla/Firefox and Agent. (Unless Mozilla has its own
newsreader... hadn't thought of that)

Any input as to ease of use or frequency of attacks by
popups/worms/viruses etc with these alternate programs? Like would
they be more/less open to attack?

I find I have gotten stuck in my ways and only understand programs of
the 1995-1998 vintage, so I'm anticipating a steep learning curve, as
well as frustration and hair pulling when I make this switch. Its hell
getting old.

K Barrett

Read my sig line! I changed to the free programs Firefox and Thunderbird
a while ago and I LOVE THEM!!! (And yes, I was shouting there.) As to
viruses, as far as I am concerned, nothing beats having a good virus
scanner. I have AVG running and it scans all incoming and outgoing
mail. Mozilla should be less vulnerable to viruses, but I can't vouch
for that since I know too little about it.
Firefox stops pop-ups unless you choose to allow them. Thunderbird, the
mail and newsreader, blocks remote images in email, so they load much
faster and without those annoying ads. Thunderbird also has a very good
junk mail filter. Firefox also lets you use RSS feeds, which is a time
and energy saver. Apparently you can read RSS feeds in Thunderbird,
too, but I haven't looked into setting that up yet.
What I will say is that you need a teensy bit more than just beginner
user knowledge to get them up and going the way you want. I found it
easy, but I found computers easy from the very beginning (how can I say
this without sounding like I am bragging?). Give it a try. I will bet
you will be pleasantly surprised.

--
Reka

This is LIFE! It's not a rehearsal. Don't miss it!
http://www.rolbox.it/hukari/index.html

Reclaim Your Inbox!
http://www.mozilla.org/products/thunderbird/

Rediscover the Web!
http://www.mozilla-europe.org/en/products/firefox/

They're free!