Security → Is turning off Javascript really necessary any more?

I don't use IE except for Java speed tests (which also require Flash Player which I no longer allow on Fx due to the issues recently).

I use OE because it is the one Microsoft program (besides Word 2002- not any ribbon version) that I love. Why would I not use it? I have a little free program called OETool that greatly enhances OE. Plus, I have another freebie (not available for years now) called OE Freebie Backup that is great. It backs up all nine of my Identities in about two minutes including the address books, everything. Plus, it does a proper restore (some backup programs don't). I LOVE the way OE handles Identities and I am not giving this up. Microsoft completely screwed up OE in Vista by getting rid of the best thing about OE: Identities. I know Thunderbird has Identities but it has other stuff I don't like.

I still use XP Pro. OE will work on Win 7 when I get a new computer also because I would never buy a "Home" version of Windows (too much missing) and Pro version has XP as a virtual machine, plus, I run virtual machines already with XP Pro so I can continue using OE. I've used Thunderbird and I really disliked the harsh blue font and other stuff in it (that is one problem with Opera mail client currently...horrible blue font...I don't get the propensity for the ugly, hard to read blue that you see so much of in programs). Sea Monkey email client is quite a bit like OE but not nearly as good as OE and it has a lot of bugs. Opera's mail client was good until recently and now it is awful. What else is there?

Whats wrong with IE and OE??

2 perfectly good programs.....

I tried using MSOE Identities, briefly. Didn't find much use for them.

I've got four perfectly good battle rifles for you; about 133 years old each, but perfectly serviceable!

So, you only have one email account?

What I've been doing for many years is disabling all scripting and plugins globally and only allow what is needed on a per-site basis. You only have to allow it once, after all. That's in Opera, in FF I use NoScript so that is taken care of there. IE is neutered and not used for anything.

That said, most sites now are CMS based and will need .JS for basic functions, sometimes even navigation...unfortunately. It's crap, but sites do browser sniffing, include all their ads, and use things like FB/Twitter/Google API's via Javascript.

For example, this link posted in the Home Improvement forums shows a totally blank page in Opera with scripting disabled.

»www.cableorganizer.com/c ··· 6CBCFA78

The difference between web pages and apps is pretty much non-existent these days.

Who says I need one "Identity" per account?

Multiple Acounts!

You should look into Pegasus Mail as a great alternative to OE. Super Identity support. Totally immune to any IE-based attacks as it doesn't use the IE HTML engine. Actively being developed. Active support on the Pegasus Mail mailing lists and at the Pegasus Mail & Mercury Community site. Runs fine on Win7 when you get dragged, kicking and screaming, there once XP security patching stops.

I'll certainly look into that. Thanks.

I wish you would stop with the 'kicking and screaming to Win7'. I'd already have a new computer if Dell had done proper QA on the XPS 8500. Now a bios update is to be issued but Dell is being closed mouthed about it ...maybe because the root problem appears to be the new Ivy bridge processor. I also have to wait for nVidia to fix their problems which has made it impossible for Dell to offer their cards (except for two low end OEM ones).