Member Avatar for RobK

I just bought a new Powerbook with the Tiger OS. I noticed that Microsoft offers a version of Internet Explorer (v5.2.3) and Windows Media Player 9 for the Mac.

Do I need to install IE? Will there be some web pages that Safari cannot display properly?

I am a little wary about installing IE since even Microsoft admits that the version for the Mac (v 5.2.3) is old and has a Java security bug. It also does not look like MS is going to release newer versions of IE for the Mac.

Do I need to install Windows Media Player 9 for the Mac? I am a little wary since it does not look like I can uninstall WMP once it is installed.

Any assistance to a Mac newbie would be appreciated.

Rob

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Brief expert summary (for and later readers):

Installing Microsoft’s legacy Mac browser is rarely the best course. Modern browsers that are actively maintained will render the vast majority of sites and receive important security fixes; relying on an unsupported IE build adds risk without much benefit. When a site truly depends on IE-only technologies (ActiveX, Windows‑only plugins or server behavior that only serves markup to IE), the robust solutions are to run a real Windows browser in a Windows environment (virtual machine, Boot Camp or a remote Windows host) or to ask the site owner for a standards‑compliant page. Spoofing a user‑agent can sometimes work for simple sniffing but does not enable ActiveX or other Windows‑only APIs.

Windows Media playback: Microsoft’s player is optional. Cross‑platform players (for example, VLC) and QuickTime components historically used to bridge WMV/WMA support can offer a safer, better‑maintained alternative. Reports like ’s — Finder refusing to empty locked files — usually indicate a file‑system lock or a running process holding handles. Safer removal flows are: quit related processes, boot into Safe Mode, clear any file lock flags from the command line, then remove the app and any helper components. Avoid blind use of destructive commands and keep a backup.

Command‑line example (exercise caution; adjust paths and back up first):

sudo pkill -f "Windows Media Player"          # stop running helper processes
sudo chflags -R nouchg "/Applications/Windows Media Player.app"
sudo rm -rf "/Applications/Windows Media Player.app"
sudo rm -rf "/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/Windows Media Player.plugin"
rm -f ~/Library/Preferences/com.microsoft.*wmp*.plist

As noted by and , third‑party browsers are a practical long‑term choice; ’s point about differences in CSS/JS engines is valid — when rendering matters, test in more than one engine or use a Windows runtime for IE‑specific functionality.

Recommended Answers

All 7 Replies

Member Avatar for Zachery

If you don't like IE5:Mac don't use it, get Firefox, and it should handle everything fine.

To uninstall WMP, drag the app to the trash :)

Member Avatar for RobK

I also have a computer running Linux. I am very familiar with Linux, compiling from Source, Firefox and the Mozilla Suite, etc etc. Great products. But there are some web site that do NOT display properly when using Mozilla or Firefox since some webmasters make the pages only compatible for IE. So I end uo using IE using wine for some websites.

My question relates to the Safari browser. Is it more compatible than Firefox/Mozilla when displaying pages designed for IE?

If not, I may have to install IE on the Mac.

And thanks for the uninstall info on WMP. I was curious since MS is silent on the uninstall procedure for WMP 9 for the Mac. (It does give uninstall info for IE etc).

Rob

Member Avatar for Zachery

Safari is less compabitle since as far as I've seen. Honestly, Firefox is going to be your best bet and friend if your are already using it.

Member Avatar for VelvetDonkey

If you don't like IE5:Mac don't use it, get Firefox, and it should handle everything fine.

To uninstall WMP, drag the app to the trash :)

Hi
I've tried getting rid of WMP and have dragged the App to the trash, but when emptying I get the following message

"the operation cannot be completed because 'wmphelp.htm' is locked"
(options) Stop -- Continue
When I press continue continue other .htm and .gif files appear as locked.
But I can't find any of these files on my system.
Sorry to but in here, but I would appreciate any advise.
Regards
C

Member Avatar for jwenting

Sorry to blow your bubble but Firefox has some rather serious problems with especially CSS2 but also the ECMAScript (which is the official standard for Javascript) support is far from perfect.
IE6 has far more complete support for the standards in fact.

Member Avatar for VelvetDonkey

Hi
I've tried getting rid of WMP and have dragged the App to the trash, but when emptying I get the following message

"the operation cannot be completed because 'wmphelp.htm' is locked"
(options) Stop -- Continue
When I press continue continue other .htm and .gif files appear as locked.
But I can't find any of these files on my system.
Sorry to but in here, but I would appreciate any advise.
Regards
C

FOLLOW UP!
I found this while surfing for this problem.


- trash the WMP folder that has hte app itself
- trash the corresponding Inter Plug-in in the Plug in folder in
/Library
- trash the WMP pref and .plist from the ~/Library/Preferences folder
(the one in your user account)

hold down the alt-key and select "empty the trash" from the icon of the
Trash in the Dock,

It WORKS!!!!
:lol: :eek: :cheesy:

Member Avatar for gamerpress

Sorry to blow your bubble but Firefox has some rather serious problems with especially CSS2 but also the ECMAScript (which is the official standard for Javascript) support is far from perfect.
IE6 has far more complete support for the standards in fact.

Everything I've used firefox for works great. I highly suggest it. It's faster and safer the internet explorer.

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