They apparently thought that MSE only updated with MS Update, and that if you had not got MS Update on auto, then your virus profiles would not get updated. I read a Lifehacker post yesterday about how someone had written a proggy to force MSE to update its virus profiles on a regular basis. Check beta-forum for possible solution to whatever problem is/was, can't remember any evil alpha bugs with this but who knows. Grandpastan, I hope you mean Avast 5 and not MSE. There will be much testing going on once it is officially released. Will soon work on 64 bit, still some 32bit leftovers. Just Avasts bootscan will be nice addition to MSE.
I believe they have started with IP blocking now, always nice to have. If MSE is resident then Network/webshield shield could work. Why declare compatibility if program is not used? Perhaps finally some real use of all those modules and options in Avast. it must mean both can be installed (regardless of what MSE advice) - but only one resident towards filesystem. Will be interesting to see what Avast meant when they said version 5 was "compatible" with MSE As a min. Or search Youtube for "Avast 5" if curious about new look. You can install/uninstall MSE without reboot, think it also goes for Avast. Some risk when testing of course but try it out if in the mood. Remember it is brand new program so quite a few minor bugs. Check current situation at their beta forum I bet mid/late December. I think I have seen mid-November as a goal, pretty sure october was first date missed.