The industry is mobilizing because of simple demographics. Industry analysts estimate that about 15 million households already have more than one computer. By next year, the number is expected to swell to 35 million, or about a third of U.S. households. With more than one computer in the house, families need a way to share printers, digital-video disk drives and Net connections. Equipping two PCs to share a single Net connection is possible today.
Few families bother, however, because it can be tricky and expensive to piece together and install.
Microsoft tackles a part of that problem by building home networking capability into its next version of Windows 98. The operating software will be able to recognize and configure a second, networked computer just as it recognizes accessories and new software programs today. Internet Explorer 5 makes what's possible practical. Internet Explorer 5 works faster because it limits the amount of data sent back and forth over the Net. Rather than downloading all of the information from a site you visited two days ago, for example, it stores the background information and downloads only what has changed or been updated.