Microsoft releases IE8 beta 2
THE FOLKS OVER at Redmond have released the second beta version of its upcoming IE8 web browser.
The browser contains many new features, including the previously mentioned inPrivate mode that leaves no trace of what the user was up to from the browser and allows users to set which third-party sites have access to any of the data transmitted during the session.
Affectionately dubbed 'porn mode' this new feature could play merry havoc with analytics engines that many people use to track visitor numbers and other stats if users decide to block these sites.
The new beta version also includes a 'Smart Address Bar' and an 'Enhanced Find On Page' feature, remarkably similar to the ones Firefox and Safari have had for ages already.
There is also something called 'Web Slices', which allows site developers to mark parts of their web pages, enabling users to monitor information from the site an be informed when it is updated.
Apparently the new browser is also attempting to become more standards compliant, but includes a 'compatibility mode' just in case.
On the very off chance that the super stable code does come undone thanks to interference from cosmic rays, there is also a new crash recovery feature which automatically restores and reloads the tab, and any information the user may have already entered on the page. [No security issues there then - Sub Ed].
Those brave enough to give it a go can download the new beta here, otherwise you could always download the full release version of Firefox 3 here – just a thought. µ
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Why doesn't Microsoft simply give up on their badly programmed InternetExploder and leave browsing upto the community. Firefox is the standard now and works so much better. It would be better is they joined the Firefox group to improve it even more.
It's funny that beta 2 messes up the Inquirer's home page. I love irony.
I've been waiting for this day ever since I installed ie8 beta 1 and made my internet experience worse than ever.
On certain websites script debugger comes up with code(You? Debug it), unfortunately, it really starts to be clunky. When you depart from that mess, it works right again, letters have more width to line, more bodied & in all it seems to work. How many theINQ fans will promptly commentos that it works.? Thanks Scientists. drashek
I worked with IE8 Beta 1 and it did a decent job. Gonna give this one a bash also. Any yes, I use FireFox 3 also. I understand it's not in your DNA to say anything positive about M$ (and they deserve it for the most part) but IE8 appears to be one of their better efforts... Of course we have FireFox to thank for that fact....
Firefox or even opera is better than anything microsoft can do with IE. Only people who don't know any better would actually still use IE
The IE8 b1 didn't show the Hotmail web interface at all without using the "simulate IE7" -button :D I'm gonna go try if the b2 can do it properly.
Hey at least IE7 didn't come with a huge hole in it like firefox 3. It was so bad my router was reset because of it. I'll always use ie ! James
James, I think you have a crap router.
IE is number one and will be indefinately MS makes money because of this and will not give up on it likewise. I love IE. It does exactly what I need, nothing more nothing less.
Firebox doesn't. If firefox was so good then MS would include it in Windows, they don't so firefox can't be good. Heh heh.