Years ago, when Microsoft started adding Internet functionality to Windows, it all made sense. First came the TCP/IP network protocols that formed the underpinnings of the modern Internet. Then came Microsoft's own web browser, Internet Explorer (IE), inspired by the success of Netscape and using code from Netscape's own Mosaic-based foundation. Over time, other Internet-based features and technologies appeared at a rapid rate, including email and newsgroup solutions, instant messaging, and more. Other OS makers, including Apple and the Linux community, began adding Internet features to their own products, aping Microsoft's design.
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