Q. Internet Explorer 5 is great, but there is one feature that I really dislike. Whenever I type a Web address into the address field, a drop-down box appears with suggested URLs. Q. I have been shopping for a new computer and have decided to get a DVD drive in it, but I don't understand the pros and cons of getting a drive with its own controller card, vs. one that controls the drive with software. A DVD drive requires either a hardware or software component to decode what's found on a DVD disk into video. However, the card will occupy a free slot, which may be an issue if you have lots of other devices added to your computer.
Software decoding actually works fairly well, particularly in a high-end computer.
If you end up buying a PC with a process that's 400 megahertz or faster, software DVD should be more than adequate. However, if you plan on having a lot of other things going on at the same you watch DVD video, you could experience some jerkiness. Maybe Computing columnist Dwight Silverman can help.