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jedi2187 · Jan 31, 2006, 06:42 PM

from Yahoo....
"...but note that this beta of the browser is compatible only with Windows XP Service Pack 2. And keep in mind that, like any still-in-development version, this beta 2 release has bugs and rough edges." (just like every OS they've released since 95)

"This new iteration of the world's dominant browser adds a number of features long since taken for granted by alternative-browser users, such as tabbed browsing, a toolbar-integrated search box, and limited RSS support. "

http://news.yahoo.com/s/pcworld/2006...pcworld/124542

tooki · Jan 31, 2006, 06:53 PM

How about CSS support? I can think of one or two developers who've kinda-sorta wanted better CSS support in IE...

tooki

greenamp · Jan 31, 2006, 06:57 PM

Congrats IE. Welcome to the year 2001.

turtle777 · Jan 31, 2006, 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by jedi2187

limited RSS support

Wow, these geniuses at M$ have really pulled together all their corporate disability...

PurpleGiant · Jan 31, 2006, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by tooki

How about CSS support? I can think of one or two developers who've kinda-sorta wanted better CSS support in IE...

tooki

Seriously. This is all I want from it. If people want features, they can go elsewhere. All I want to know is that validated sites will render correctly for everyone, including the naive fools using IE.

mdc · Jan 31, 2006, 07:39 PM

Exactly. If IE would render a page how the web standards say it should render a page I'd be happy.

But you know what still sucks? This is XP SP2 only. I know a lot of people who aren't running sp2 and a lot of people who are not even running xp either. I have a feeling ie6 is still going to, unfortunately, be the main browser people use.

euchomai · Jan 31, 2006, 07:53 PM

I'd like png files to show up looking right.

turtle777 · Jan 31, 2006, 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by euchomai

I'd like png files to show up looking right.

Heck, I don't think you can expect that from such an advanced browser...

They put all their effort in limited RSS support

bradoesch · Jan 31, 2006, 08:01 PM

haha, stupid IE

PurpleGiant · Jan 31, 2006, 08:05 PM

I would love to not hate IE. I wouldn't mind if IE was the most kick-ass browser out there. I don't enjoy bagging it for fun, I do it out of necessity in the hope people will switch to a decent browser. C'mon MS. Work with the rest of the world here.

nerd · Jan 31, 2006, 08:20 PM

I just installed it here at work and even though we use the corporate install for XP (no validation) IE 7 must check in with Microsoft to Validate your copy of XP to make sure it's legit. Funny....

euchomai · Jan 31, 2006, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by nerd

I just installed it here at work and even though we use the corporate install for XP (no validation) IE 7 must check in with Microsoft to Validate your copy of XP to make sure it's legit. Funny....

So, what's the verdict?

nerd · Jan 31, 2006, 08:39 PM

The first thing I noticed is Google is the default search for the search bar thing but MSN Search is in the list. It's the same little text box that Safari, Firefox, etc has in the upper right corner.

The background of unselected tabs turn a dark gray while the active one has the usual gray background. There is no title bar now (if that's what you call it). All the menus are accessed with icons in the icon bar, no File, Edit, etc.

They have a Phishing Filter that will check with Microsoft to see if the site you're accessing is really the true website. I imagine this is something to do with that character set (can't remember what it's called) that you could have an address that said say macnn.com but if you copied it to Text Edit and pasted the text you would see something different.

The macnn.com RSS feed displays how you would expect. There is also a window that allows you to show only unread articals, sort by date and a filter by article (on cnet.com, Access, Blogs, etc.). I don't belive Safari had this??? Honestly I don't look at RSS feeds that much to know for sure.

I don't know, if I couldn't run Firefox here at work then I would still pick IE 7 just because of tabs. Other then that I guess I'm not much of a browser geek to give a in depth review to you guys but that is what I noticed while typing this in IE 7. Back to Firefox for me.

Weyland-Yutani · Jan 31, 2006, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by greenamp

Congrats IE. Welcome to the year 2001.

Haha yes, welcome indeed

I'm just looking forward to the drones getting a slightly better browser. Myself I wouldn't touch IE with the alternatives that are available.

cheers

W-Y

olePigeon · Jan 31, 2006, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by nerd

I just installed it here at work and even though we use the corporate install for XP (no validation) IE 7 must check in with Microsoft to Validate your copy of XP to make sure it's legit. Funny....

Corporate XP doesn't require you to call in and "validate" your copy, but it will still require you to use that "Genuine Microsoft Advantage" program which will validate it anyway.

Tomchu · Jan 31, 2006, 09:53 PM

IE has always been a faster and less resource-intensive browser than Firefox, but unfortunately, its standards support and security *sucked*.

The IE devs have more or less said that the point of IE7 is not to load it up with features, but rather improve its security and HEAVILY improve its CSS support. I've been reading the IE dev blog, and I can only say "good job" to the standards stuff they're fixing. At the moment, XHTML/CSS development goes like this:

1. Code.
2. Check in Safari/Firefox.
3. Code some more.
4. Check again.
[repeat]
789. Done coding, check in IE.
790. Pound the keyboard, because the site looks 100% fuxx0red in IE.
791. Start with the CSS hacks.

I hope to see sites looking identical in Safari, Opera, Firefox, and IE, without IE-specific hacks. IE7 is a good step towards that goal.

turtle777 · Jan 31, 2006, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by Tomchu

IE has always been a faster and less resource-intensive browser than Firefox

That might be true for Wintel platforms, but definitely NOT an any recent Mac

alligator · Jan 31, 2006, 10:13 PM

Of course, if your company makes you use Windows XP and IE for all intranet sites, this is the only way to get an upgrade. I have Firefox installed at work, but even our own intranet sites don't work properly in Firefox. So I guess I'll download IE 7 and hope for the best.

moodymonster · Jan 31, 2006, 10:16 PM

1. PNGs, does it now support alpha channels?

2. The little favicos for sites in the tabs looks nice, as does the ability to click and see all sites as a large thumbnail - kinda like a 'inside window exposé'.

3. Sure I've seen that RSS implentation somewhere before...

4. The big one, CSS... does it do it like other browsers?

rickey939 · Jan 31, 2006, 10:35 PM

Wow, it's ugly. Shocker.

turtle777 · Jan 31, 2006, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by rickey939

Wow, it's ugly. Shocker.

Yeah. Don't have to look at it to know what's coming.

production_coordinator · 11:04 PM

Hey, I'm typing this from my IE7 beta install. iTseems to be wo0rking fine. Teh CS5 seemms to b worrrrrrking fin. skjld;fa

¬˚∆¬˚∆¬∆˚˚¬˚¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬� �¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬˚˚˚∂˚∂˚∂˚∂˚∂� �˙∂˙∂˙∂˙∂˙∂©©©gggg good

iomatic · Jan 31, 2006, 11:06 PM

That's all that's required. AND making unique CSS for IE.

IE 7 should (finally) support the correct box model and .PNGs and the above statement would not apply.

faragbre967 · Jan 31, 2006, 11:43 PM

Pretty nasty. I don't like how the menu is beneath the back/forward/address bar. Firefox is still my default Windows browser. Wish Safari would run on a PC.

greenamp · Jan 31, 2006, 11:56 PM

And of course, in typically MS fashion, they are touting tabbed browsing and rss feeds as something new and exciting they created from scratch.

DigitalEl · Feb 1, 2006, 12:10 AM

There is no title bar now (if that's what you call it). All the menus are accessed with icons in the icon bar, no File, Edit, etc.

IIRC, the last issue of PC World showed a preview of the next big version of Microsoft Office and a considerable part of the article focused on this new interface. Same thing. Toolbar icons replace the familiar menus. I'll reserve true judgment 'til I can use it myself, but my snap reaction is "Who in the hell thought THAT was a good idea!?"

Cadaver · Feb 1, 2006, 12:56 AM

...but can it be uninstalled if the beta f's up your system?

Tomchu · Feb 1, 2006, 05:07 AM

Originally Posted by greenamp

And of course, in typically MS fashion, they are touting tabbed browsing and rss feeds as something new and exciting they created from scratch.

No, no they're not. Quit trolling.

As for it being ugly ... hell yes. In its current state, this thing looks mediocre in XP, but then again, let's not forget that it's a Beta, and that the #1 thing the devs are focussing on right now is standards compliance and security. UIs usually get tweaked and finalized closer to the end of the development process.

That said, the same browser in the Vista betas looks considerably better.

Chuckit · Feb 1, 2006, 06:00 AM

Originally Posted by DigitalEl

IIRC, the last issue of PC World showed a preview of the next big version of Microsoft Office and a considerable part of the article focused on this new interface. Same thing. Toolbar icons replace the familiar menus. I'll reserve true judgment 'til I can use it myself, but my snap reaction is "Who in the hell thought THAT was a good idea!?"

In my (admittedly limited) experience, Windows users tend to use menus much less and toolbars much more than Mac users. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because Mac users take advantage of keyboard shortcuts, which are closely tied to the menus. Anyway, this may be a welcome step for many Windows Office users.

Mediaman_12 · Feb 1, 2006, 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by Cadaver

...but can it be uninstalled if the beta f's up your system?

Possibly, Bet it's using the 'Rollback' feature built in to XP. What really sucks though is that it completely replaces IE6, so This Beta is basicly useless for any web developer.

xi_hyperon · Feb 1, 2006, 11:22 AM

CSS support is improved, but not great yet. Here's to hoping that work on that will continue.

turtle777 · Feb 1, 2006, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by xi_hyperon

CSS support is improved, but not great yet. Here's to hoping that work on that will continue.

Windows Bueno Vista, scheduled for 2015 will show some improvements.

meelk · Feb 1, 2006, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by rickey939

Wow, it's ugly. Shocker.

So ugly that it scares me. I was shocked when I loaded it.

greenamp · Feb 1, 2006, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by Tomchu

No, no they're not. Quit trolling.

As for it being ugly ... hell yes. In its current state, this thing looks mediocre in XP, but then again, let's not forget that it's a Beta, and that the #1 thing the devs are focussing on right now is standards compliance and security. UIs usually get tweaked and finalized closer to the end of the development process.

That said, the same browser in the Vista betas looks considerably better.

Trolling? Gimme a break.

Go look at their "IE 7 Beta Tour" flash thing. They are very much touting old tech as some great thing they just thought up. And that's exactly how MS markets.

olePigeon · Feb 1, 2006, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by Tomchu

...the #1 thing the devs are focussing on right now is standards compliance and security

And you said that with a straight face. You should play poker.

ReggieX · Feb 1, 2006, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by tooki

How about CSS support? I can think of one or two developers who've kinda-sorta wanted better CSS support in IE...

Only one or two? REQUEST DENIED

TETENAL · Feb 1, 2006, 02:13 PM

Screenshots please!

Cadaver · Feb 1, 2006, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by alligator

Of course, if your company makes you use Windows XP and IE for all intranet sites, this is the only way to get an upgrade. I have Firefox installed at work, but even our own intranet sites don't work properly in Firefox. So I guess I'll download IE 7 and hope for the best.

I can't even attempt to use Firefox at work. Any URL containing mozilla.com is blocked! But couldn't install it even if I brought it on a disc or thumbdrive; software installs are locked out by the security settings. They are so paranoid here, that software doesn't get installed if it can't be "controlled" via Windows' Policy settings. This includes things like Firefox/Mozilla, Photoshop Elements, OpenOffice, .Mac iDisk utility for XP, etc.

Severed Hand of Skywalker · Feb 1, 2006, 03:59 PM

So at the end of the day it is pretty much like every other browser mixed together and 4 years late.

xi_hyperon · Feb 1, 2006, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by olePigeon

And you said that with a straight face. You should play poker.

Yes, they have some work to do.

acid2 test with IE 7 beta 2.

TETENAL · Feb 1, 2006, 04:12 PM

Can you post some screenshots of the interface?

xi_hyperon · Feb 1, 2006, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by TETENAL

Can you post some screenshots of the interface?

I would, but I tossed it about an hour ago. I've only got one PC, and I needed IE 6 back. I'm sure there will be someone else here who can though.

Severed Hand of Skywalker · Feb 1, 2006, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by TETENAL

Can you post some screenshots of the interface?

http://reviews.cnet.com/Internet_Exp...2.html?tag=sub

xi_hyperon · Feb 1, 2006, 04:20 PM

Very delayed double post.

Chuckit · Feb 1, 2006, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by xi_hyperon

Yes, they have some work to do.

acid2 test with IE 7 beta 2.

Yowza, that's horrible. Safari was better than that before they started the revamp.

Tomchu · Feb 1, 2006, 04:29 PM

Greenamp: When Microsoft says that something is "new" or "improved", they're referring to the Windows world -- and they have every right to, because it's true.

If they were saying that tabbed browsing was something completely new, they'd be lying -- but they're saying it's new to IE, which is true.

TETENAL · Feb 1, 2006, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by Severed Hand of Skywalker

http://reviews.cnet.com/Internet_Exp...2.html?tag=sub

Thanks. Is there one with full size screenshots anywhere too?

I like the zoom feature. I'd really like to have this in Safari. The tabs-exposé sound like a good idea as well, but I couldn't stand Shiira. I would have to see this in action. The anti-phishing feature sounds like a useful addition as well.

Severed Hand of Skywalker · 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by TETENAL

Thanks. Is there one with full size screenshots anywhere too?

Honestly, it isn't worth your time:
http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/ie7_beta2.asp

On a side note the tart at this site sounds a lot like the owner of MacOSrumors:
"I've met with the IE team several times since last summer, and while we've joked about my supposed call to revolution, I know they're eager to see whether I'd consider switching back from Firefox to IE"

Yes, he is just that important.

iomatic · Feb 1, 2006, 05:28 PM

Not important, just influential. The guy's still a waffling Nob™.

olePigeon · Feb 1, 2006, 06:21 PM

In related news, though if a coincidence it's mildly humerus, I.E. for Macintosh was offically pulled from the website today and all support ended.