I've not looked at IE9 (and I've no intention of doing so) but your view seems to match what nearly everyone says about Microsoft product 'upgrades'. i.e. that simple tasks usually end up being much harder!
Do what nearly everyone else around here does. Switch to Firefox (which is what I use) or to Chrome.
Most interesting chaps - i use chrome but there are some things it plays up with - virgin email being one....so I dip into IE......the new laptop has IE 9 BUT NOT FOR MUCH LONGER......
Sorry Chuck, must have mis-read something! I assumed Mosaic was having problems getting his Virgin E-mails through IE and Outlook Exp. and had the settings still on 25 and 110.
Must get these glasses changed!!!!!!