But this column is about the road ahead, and the signs plainly point in Microsoft's direction. Even while the new IE was still in beta tests, it was drawing raves. IE is being given away free. Netscape by no means is about to surrender. Navigator 3.0 will be launched a week from now, on Aug. 19, and Netscape's Web site is already disparaging IE as being slower and less secure.
Strange things happen in turf wars from time to time, even between mismatched adversaries.
David, as we know, slew Goliath. But Gates seems to be avoiding the mistakes of other giants. Wall Street likes what it sees, more than likely assuring Microsoft a steady capital stream. Then you turn around and Gates is in Shanghai pledging to help China's largest city plug into the global information industry. On the Web is a weekly column on issues and topics that will help you become a better informed, more adept Web traveler.