TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Microsoft Releases Test Browser Software: The Redmond, Wash.-based company made the versions for its Windows 3.1 operating system and Apple Computer Inc.’s Macintosh computers in a move to compete aggressively in the Internet market. Microsoft Corp. is distributing the software, called Internet Explorer, free on the global computer network. Browsers help computer users navigate the Internet, especially the graphics-rich portion known as the World Wide Web. When Microsoft released Internet Explorer in August, only customers who had Windows 95 could use it. By creating browsing software for other systems, Microsoft is competing with Netscape Communications Corp.