The Nitty Gritty on Features

The Nitty Gritty on Features

Web-browsing features aren�t just the icing on the cake. They�re the baking powder that makes your Web experience rise or fall. Get the low-down on features in the following section.

WebTV Channels to Surf until the Tide Comes In

The first stop on the ride through WebTV is the WebTV Home Page. Whether you want to make a pit stop or ride on by, the WebTV buttons make your journey quick and safe.

Mail	The place to send and receive electronic mail. When you�ve got a new message, you�ll see a blinking red light.
Favorites	Every Web cruiser is addicted to at least one Web site. If you find a Web page that�s good enough to visit twice, you don�t have to memorize the URL (Uniform Resource Locator). Just save it as a Favorite, and WebTV can get you connected to the site anytime you feel the urge to satisfy the craving.
Explore	If you like to get the big picture, this is the button to push. Explore connects you to WebTV�s directory of the Web sites the company thinks rule.
Search	Just like searching on public libraries� online catalogs, you type a word and the you�ll get connected to Web sites on the topic. WebTV�s search mode is powered by the Excite search engine.
Around Town	If you want information on a specific town or city, Around Town will give you a tour of the Web sites that fit your needs.

Without the navigational tools, the WebTV interface will take you nowhere fast. You won�t have to steer your way through the Web waves without a paddle. Sony and Philips are making a splash with more goodies to transform your Web adventure into a trip as satisfying as a ride on Carnival Cruise Lines.

Remote Control. If you�ve used a television in the past decade, you know what remote controls can do. The WebTV remote control has buttons to get connected, scroll through Web pages, navigate through commands, or display the on-screen keyboard.
On Screen Keyboard. By pressing the GO button on the remote control, you have access to the onscreen keyboard. You can type your searches or fill in forms at a Web site. Some people find the standard keyboard clunky and choose to purchase a cordless keyboard for $50.
Credit Card Swiper. With WebTV, you can avoid the crowds at the fitting rooms and the lines at the check-out counters. Shopping online was never so easy. You won�t even have to type in your 16 digit credit card number when you find an irresistible item. The WebTV box comes equipped with a Smart Card slot. Just swipe your card, and you�ve made the purchase lickety-split.
Upgrades. WebTV upgrades are as smooth as a Persian cat�s fur. You�ll receive a warning, and when you accept, the box will dial into WebTV Networks and make the changes in a flash.
Users. If you�ve ever tried to share a bedroom with a sibling, you know that making a peaceful space often means drawing heavy dividing lines. WebTV allows six users per household, including private mailboxes for each.
User Preferences. If you�ve got a taste for Web pages that make your family members cringe, you can store them separately. Each user has their own Favorites list, PIN number, personal e-mail address, and preferences.
Parental Control. Many parents are concerned about the bad apples out on the Internet, so WebTV offers SurfWatch as a feature. Parents can block their children�s access to certain Web sites and e-mail material.
Documentation. A lot of people would rather see themselves sink in the Web waves before hanging themselves up to dry with a manual. But WebTV offers a user manual as a life preserver. Even so, Greg Holladay would like to receive more search tips, especially since he�s an Internet newbie. �It�s interesting,� he said. �I found a lot of information out there. The frustration that we have is not knowing how to find things.�

WebTV Networks also provides onscreen help for users, and Laura Holladay even received a personalized explanation of how to send e-mail. �We sent an e-mail to someone and left a space in the address, and it came back with an explanation of what was wrong,� she said.