I’ve been having problems with IE6(*). It starts up but then hangs for up to a minute. The PC runs fine but IE doesn’t want to accept any key input.

I’ve removed the google toolbar & reinstalled it and problem gone. Google bar is really worth having but I do have to remove and reinstall it from time to time

(* IE7?  No thanks! Tabs? Why? If you know any reason why I would want tabs please leave a comment!)

On line applications? Will they ever catch on? Well I can see some advantages even for the home user and it could be Microsoft that pushes people that way.

http://www.itpro.co.uk/news/92730/google-expands-into-business-software-market.html?searchString=google+apps
So why would a home user want to use an online word processor? Your data being available where ever you are seems like a business advantage not a home user one. However, actually being able to get at my documents from the lounge when the kids are using the office PC is really handy but setting up sharing does call for (a little) IT savvy - so the Google route could be the more popular. Getting at my documents at work so I can work on my novel / home accounts / cv during work (oh, er, I mean lunch) time could also be handy. Do I want to open my home PC up to the scary world of hackers just so I can access it remotely? No (even if I knew how!).
And there’s that little item, cost. That’s the one that drives most people. If I could set a cheap machine, even one running Linux as I’m never going to use anything but the browser, which accesses the same apps as I’m using on my expensive machine then suddenly it seems like a good idea. And many people are using Firefox already so a common browser, a common application, it’s starting to sound easy even if the OS is different because most people don’t have too much to do with the underlying OS. With online apps they will have even less to do with the it.
Why will MS push people into it? Because of cost. Why pay for Windows & Office if you don’t “use” them, well you don’t see them apart from the boot prompt and starting the browser! There are lots of bootleg Windows users, as MS upgrades start to check for these & security fears mean those upgrades are needed more people are going to have to put their hands in their pockets or ditch Windows. The fear is “the unknown” - who wants to be lumbered with a new OS & a new set of Apps, to learn about? However if I’m using the same apps (ie Firefox & online ones) it might just be worth it - especially if I can do it on cheap hardware that I already have, can pick up for next to nothing or even on a thin client!