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Internet Explorer... for UNIX? Yes. It's real.
Microsoft built Internet Explorer for both Solaris and HP-UX. Outlook Express and Windows Media Player too!
October 30, 2023
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On November 7th of 1997, the most terrifying headline — in human history — graced the pages of SunWorld magazine:

“It's here! Microsoft's Internet Explorer 4.0 for Solaris provides GUI-based alternative to Lynx”

And… it’s real.

Right about now, you’re asking yourself:

“How can I run the totally amazing Internet Explorer 4.0 on my very own instance of Solaris UNIX? I need this in my life!”

You, my friend, are in luck.

From the Solaris Readme file:

===================
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
===================

To run the released version of Internet Explorer 5 for Solaris, your
system must meet the following minimum requirements:

* A SparcStation 2 or greater
* English Solaris 2.6 and later
* 64 MB of RAM (96 MB recommended)
* 110 MB of hard disk space to perform the installation

Want to really make your UNIX experience filled to the brim with Microsoft-y-ness?

Internet Explorer wasn’t the only piece of consumer software that Microsoft brought over to UNIX in the late 1990s. Check this out… Outlook Express running on Solaris (also available for HP-UX):

In order to get Outlook Express, you’ll want to grab Internet Explorer 5. Which, as luck would have it, is also available.

And then — dig this bit of craziness — you can install Windows Media Player on Solaris too.

Yeah. That’s right. Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, and Windows Media Player… on UNIX. Will wonders never cease.

You can grab Windows Media Player 6.3 (for Solaris) over on this other dark, dusty FTP server. This version was primarily intended to handle streaming media so is pretty bare bones. But, hey, it’s still Windows Media Player. It was developed, at least in part, for Cisco — who wanted it for Solaris workstations.

Fun side-note: I worked at Microsoft, back then, on what was known as the “Windows Media X-Plat” team. We were responsible for porting Windows Media Player to classic MacOS and (you guessed it) Solaris.

 

The Solaris version of Windows Media Player was primarily worked on by a single developer, if memory serves. In fact, the entire Windows Media “X-Plat” (meaning “Cross platform”) team was incredibly small. A handful of Devs and Testers responsible for multiple platforms.

 

There’s not a great deal of documentation left on either of these endeavors (which saw the release of Windows Media 6.3, for both Mac and Solaris, back in July of 2000). After scouring through my personal documentation from the time, I’ve found surprisingly few details… so my memory is the best we’ve got on all of this.

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The original reporting on X:

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Looking for the Podcast RSS feed or other links? Check here:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4619051/lunduke-journal-link-central-tm

Give the gift of The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4898317/give-the-gift-of-the-lunduke-journal

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Looking for the Podcast RSS feed or other links?
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4619051/lunduke-journal-link-central-tm

Give the gift of The Lunduke Journal:
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"Andreas Kling creator of Serenity OS & Ladybird Web Browser" - Lunduke’s Big Tech Show - September 13th, 2023 - Ep 044

This episode is free for all to enjoy and share.

Be sure to subscribe here at Lunduke.Locals.com to get all shows & articles (including interviews with other amazing nerds).

"Andreas Kling creator of Serenity OS & Ladybird Web Browser" - Lunduke’s Big Tech Show - September 13th, 2023 - Ep 044
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VM's I am running now...
MX-23-6
Debian-13-1
Manjaro-9-25
Anduin
Anti-x
Q4os
Sparky
Mabox
Nobara
Makulu
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Notes:
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Mabox has a neat layout as well as Sparky. Two different approaches.
The prerequisites I have is that it runs with 4G ram with 4 cores in a VM. Also need to be able to log in automatically and find the package updater without searching the world over. (and thought I found true love...you met another and phhht...you were gone!! :)

Well, I was "hopping" around on X.com links, and saw a "Tech Picture" (below) which I wasn't sure about....

My assumption:
Microsoft C# DevOps - because CLASS and INHERITANCE are VERY, Very Important.

Someone mentioned:
Rust Developers and NixOS Users cannot use "man" (documentation)
because it's Trans-phobic and supports Oppression by Patriarchy.

💾 👨‍💻 Let me know if there's more detailed info.

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Stuff like this and the old PowerMacs were definitely peak desktop design…

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This is just a super quick reminder (so no body misses out):

This Friday (September 19th), the price of a new Lifetime Subscription to The Lunduke Journal will be increasing from $200 to $300.

Which means: If you want to pick up a new Lifetime Subscription for the lower price, simply grab one (via Locals, Substack, or Bitcoin) by Thursday night (Sep 18th). That’s roughly 24 hours from the moment I am writing these words.

Obviously, once you have a Lifetime Subscription you’re set. You know. For life.

I wanted to give all of you some notice so you could grab one at the lower rate.

Also worth noting: The Lunduke Journal has phased out sales and discount promotions. The current price of a subscription is the best price.

This will be the final reminder before the change goes into effect.

-Lunduke

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September 15, 2025
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Lunduke Livestream: Tue, Sep 16 at 1pm Eastern

The Lunduke Journal regular live-streaming is back! The next show is Tuesday, September 16th (tomorrow) at 1pm Eastern (10am Pacific, 5pm UTC).

You can catch the live video, for free, on X, Rumble, YouTube, & Locals.

We’ve got a lot of Tech News to cover — and who knows what stories will pop up between now and then!

Time permitting, we’ll also be doing a little Nerdy Q & A. So, if you’ve got something you’d like to ask, join us in one of the chat rooms!

Also, quick reminder that the price of new Lifetime Subscription is going up this Friday. If you want one at the lower price, now’s your moment. We’ve also added some new perks for subscribers worth checking out.

See you nerd tomorrow!

-Lunduke

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September 14, 2025
New Lunduke Journal Sub Perks, Lifetime Price Increase Next Week

A quick update: There are some new perks for Lunduke Journal subscribers, and an upcoming price increase for new Lifetime Subscriptions (if you want one of those at the lower price, you have a couple days).

All the details below.

Lifetime Subscription Price Increase

This coming Friday (September 19th), the price of a new Lifetime Subscription to The Lunduke Journal will be increasing from $200 to $300. I wanted to give all of you a few days notice so you could grab one at the lower rate.

If you want to pick up a Lifetime Subscription for the lower price, simply grab one (via Locals, Substack, or Bitcoin) by Thursday night (Sep 18th).

The prices for new Yearly and Monthly subscriptions will remain the same. No changes.

Reminder: The Lunduke Journal has phased out sales and discount promotions. The current price of a subscription is the best price.

New Perks for Lunduke Journal Subscribers

I am working on adding a few new perks for Lunduke Journal subscribers — a way of saying “Thank You” for making this work possible (while still keeping all of the articles and shows free for the world).

Here are the perks as of today.

Perks for all Subscribers (Monthly, Yearly, and Lifetime):

Note: The eBooks & Games are currently only available on Locals & Substack (due to platform features). Those perks will also become available to subscribers on X, YouTube, & Patreon next week. Stay tuned for access details.

Additional (Optional) Perks only for Lifetime Subscribers:

  • The Lunduke Journal will follow your account on X.

  • Your name (real, or internet handle) listed in a special thanks slide at the end of new Lunduke Journal videos.

Both of these perks are 100% optional.

If you are a Lifetime Subscriber, and would like to take advantage of either (or both), simply email “bryan at lunduke.com” with the subject line “Lifetime Perk” (that part is important, I get so many emails this will help me see yours) and include a link to your X profile and/or the way you want your name to appear at the end of videos.

One of the nice parts of having Lunduke Journal follow your X account… is it will make it far easier (and more likely) for me to see your comments.

Thank You

I am working to expand all of the regular perks (books, etc.) to subscribers across all platforms (which was a little tricky, considering the differences in each platform, but I managed to figure out how to do it) — while adding a few new ones as well.

Nothing crazy, just a way of saying “Thank You”.

Seriously.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your support. The Lunduke Journal is only possible thanks to each and every one of you.

-Lunduke

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