Redmond is at it again. Just when you thought that you had time to download and experiment with Google Chrome, Microsoft has countered with its own new browser release. The next generation of the Internet Explorer browser has arrived.
And so the browser war continues…
Internet Explorer 8 beta 2 (IE 8) is currently available for download and use from Microsoft’s web site. IE 8 contains many innovative new features such as color-coded tabs, increased privacy options and built-in security, with only slight alterations made to the browser window layout. The built-in security features includes Microsoft’s SmartScreen filter, which adds malware protection to the existing antiphishing protection first introduced in IE 7. The browser also includes InPrivate, a feature synonymous with Google’s Chrome Incognito Window, which stops the caching of files to your computer. This is commonly referred to in the industry as operating in “porn mode.” The browser includes a Suggested Sites feature that logs (sends to Microsoft) the web sites that a user visits, and then will make suggestions of alternate web sites that a user might enjoy based on their browsing history. The captured data is sent to Microsoft for “reporting purposes,” but at least they disable this feature by default, unlike Google Chrome’s Suggest tool.
But users should be forewarned. Once the software is installed, it cannot easily be removed without first uninstalling Service Pack 3 on XP systems. Users are already reporting problems with system crashes, browser incompatibility with popular web sites, and other Microsoft online services. Isn’t it ironic how IE 8 doesn’t work with Microsoft’s services such as Hotmail, LiveSearch, and Windows Live Meeting? The boys (and girls) in Redmond need to talk across their cubicles!
And that’s just one of reasons why we use Firefox.
- John and Mike
(703) 359-0700
digitalsamurai@senseient.com
www.senseient.com
