Boot (Home) Page: I recommend you browse to your favorite page first before you make it your boot page. Then click the tools menu and then "Internet Options". (In the view menu in older versions) . The first page you see is general options and all you have to do is click "Use Current". Click OK and it's done. Change as often as you like.
My Microsoft Internet Explorer (now version 5.5) always boots to The Microsoft Network . I like the interesting news (very soft news) items in the top part, then I have local weather, sports scores, and stocks all refreshing in an easy layout. You can get these services everywhere .. I just like this layout.
By the way, it just changed to require you to have a passport to personalize it. Microsoft is hoping to get you more committed to using it as a portal and also hopes you'll try it's other services within the passport member benefits. You can get this same kind of personalization anywhere .. Yahoo, your ISP home page, even my online banking page will give me stocks and weather. So choose one you enjoy. That's what I've done.