[Googlebar] Newbie Help Request

[BJ]

I just joined this list... this is my first post. I'm fleeing Microsoft
(well, being chased away!) and I'm using Mozilla Firefox on the advice of a
friend, and I need some help installing the Googlebar.

I just installed Mozilla Firefox version 0.9.2 from a CD a friend gave me.
It had a tiny Google toolbar which wasn't anywhere near adequate for all I
use Google for, so I deleted it, and I also deleted the Google Toolbar from
my system so there wouldn't be any conflicts (which now, since there is no
code in common, I reallize it wouldn't be a conflict) so I could install the
full Googlebar I saw at http://googlebar.mozdev.org/screenshots.html but I'm
having trouble.

For one thing, I don't know exactly where to get the correct download. I
downloaded something from http://googlebar.mozdev.org/installation.html that
created a Google folder but all it had in it was one .dll file so I deleted
the entire folder because that didn't seem like I had downloaded the full
toolbar. Also, during the download process a window popped up offering
"extensions" and I am not sure what extensions (if any) I need for all of
the functions of the GoogleBar so I closed the window.

So my request is, can someone give me a link for downloading the full
Googlebar and instructions about how to install it? On the Googlebar help
site, it says  If you're having trouble installing, first make sure that
under Preferences, Advanced: Software installation is set to "Enable
software installation". I'm sure I have software installation blocked
somewhere because I set all my security settings to the highest restrictions
because of recent invasions of spyware and trojans, but I don't know where
to find Preferences to change the setting.

One more question. I want badly to uninstall Inernet Explorer 6.0 from my
system because its a source of a lot of my computer problems, but from what
I have read it might take a reinstall of my operating system (Windows 2000
Pro). Is there any way to get rid of IE without having to reinstall Windows?

Thanks very much in advance... for having patience with this refugee fleeing
from MicroSoft! <sheepish grin>

BJ