Internet Explorer 7

[herme3]

Has anyone tried the new Internet Explorer 7 BETA: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.mspx

 

It seems to work well, but I'm not sure how to test it to see if the security has improved or if it complies better with the standards. I do see that in the version that comes with Windows Vista BETA 2, you can disable ActiveX and other plug-ins. What do you all think about the new version?

[mooeypoo]

I use it for a while now, and I actually like the tabs.

 

It does crash every now and then, but then again -- so did the previous version.

 

As for security, I don't see any visible change: the ActiveX scripts are still stopped, and I had to tweak it quite massively to get cookies to work

 

but.. you cannever know with microsoft

 

~moo

[Dak]

Has anyone tried the new Internet Explorer 7 BETA: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.mspx

 

It seems to work well' date=' but I'm not sure how to test it to see if the security has improved or if it complies better with the standards. I do see that in the version that comes with Windows Vista BETA 2, you can disable ActiveX and other plug-ins. What do you all think about the new version?[/quote']

 

Im assuming this is a complete overhaul of the IE engine? if so, i doubt even microsoft will have been bad enough to design in backwards-compatability with their security flaws for the old IE. IE7 is, atm, probably 100% safe.

 

People who have found exploits in it are unlikely to want to waist their exploits hitting (probably tech-savvy) beta testers. they'll wait untill the masses of computer illiterates who wont be able to shift any bugs that get onto their PC install it. how many exploits turn up, and how fast microsoft patch them, will be the test of it's security. which im gonna predict that they'll fail.

 

if you really want to test it, get yourself a virtual machine (vmware offer a free beta, GSX server i believe it's called), and google for crack sites or russian porn. if your virtual machine stops working, IE probably failed the test

 

or use these:

 

http://bcheck.scanit.be/bcheck/index.php

 

http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/BrowserSecurity/

[concrete_hed]

I dont see why everyone says microsoft is so dumb. I have been using it all my life, it hardly ever crashes, when it does crash its because my computer is so slow. I have used IE 7 and it works fine, just like all the other previous versions. I visit many different websites every day and I have never had a virus, I have had a couple of small spyware but nothing major like any password sniffers. The only firewall I use is microsoft and I have never had any problems with it.

 

I think it all started when one person said they didnt like microsoft, then everyone else just started to say it so they would sound smart.

[Dave]

Before this kicks off, we don't need another 'why Microsoft sucks' thread - there's plenty of those around.

 

That being said, I have to say that in terms of compliance, IE 7 is certainly an improvement. However, I don't like their implementation of tabs - the fact that they're always there, even when you only have one window up is quite annoying, and I immensely dislike the "you've created a new tab!!" page.

 

Drawing the discussion aside for a moment, I installed a copy of Vista Beta 2 onto an external hard-drive. Now, the Microsoft fan-boys are all saying that it's the best thing since sliced bread, but I have to say, to me it all looks pretty awful. The interface is absolutely grotesque and immensely cluttered with useless gadgets and a half-baked attempt at a decent effects. This reflects itself in IE7's interface (which I believe uses the Aero basic theme - could be wrong?)

 

So, all in all, a thumbs up for the additional compliance, and, at last, PNG alpha channel support. But a very big thumbs down for the poor implementation of tabs and the interface in general.

[RyanJ]

So' date=' all in all, a thumbs up for the additional compliance, and, at last, PNG alpha channel support. But a very big thumbs down for the poor implementation of tabs and the interface in general.[/quote']

 

This Shows that the dev team are atleast making progress with standards, still have a long way to go before getting up to scratch but anything i good right now!

 

Can't complain on that - atleast something is being done about it but security and a bad interface still remain

 

-- Ryan Jones

[1veedo]

However, I don't like their implementation of tabs - the fact that they're always there, even when you only have one window up is quite annoying, and I immensely dislike the "you've created a new tab!!" page.

Heh firefox autohides tabs unless you change it in preferences and frankly, I hate it when it does that! The first thing I do is set it to always be there so you can right click and tell it "new tab."

 

One thing I think Microsoft has always been bad about is customizability. They need to give the user more control over how their software not only looks but also acts. Like with tabs, they need to have an option to set it to autohide and apparently another option to shut the hell up about "you've created a new tab!"

[herme3]

That being said, I have to say that in terms of compliance, IE 7 is certainly an improvement. However, I don't like their implementation of tabs - the fact that they're always there, even when you only have one window up is quite annoying, and I immensely dislike the "you've created a new tab!!" page.

 

Actually, I like the fact that the tabs are always there. When I first started using Firefox, it took me a while to figure out how to open a new tab. Also, you can easily disable the "new tab" page. When that page loads, just click on "Don't show this page again" and then click "Close".

 

Drawing the discussion aside for a moment, I installed a copy of Vista Beta 2 onto an external hard-drive. Now, the Microsoft fan-boys are all saying that it's the best thing since sliced bread, but I have to say, to me it all looks pretty awful. The interface is absolutely grotesque and immensely cluttered with useless gadgets and a half-baked attempt at a decent effects. This reflects itself in IE7's interface (which I believe uses the Aero basic theme - could be wrong?)

 

Vista's interface was a little confusing for me at first. I couldn't find all the buttons because they were in different locations from Windows XP. However, the more I use it, the more I think it's easier. Instead of clicking "File" and then "Print" all you have to do is click on the print button.

 

I also really like the design of the interface. It looks more professional, and it should satisfy all the people who said Windows XP looked childish. Some of the gadgets are a little useless. I'm not really sure why they needed the giant clock when you have the smaller one in the lower right corner. However the calculator on the sidebar is a good idea. I'm sure people will find better uses for the Windows Sidebar in the future. I would like to see the weather and news headlines.

[CanadaAotS]

Calculator on the sidebar?? you have no idea how helpful that would be lol...

[Bettina]

I installed IE7 today and liked it a lot. The tabs too. Then I tried to run a little MSN online game that I play often and it wouldn't load. (No problem with IE6). After going to the Microsoft web site I found other people had the same problem. A note was posted by MSN games that none of them are supported in the new IE7 and everyone has switched back to IE6....So did I.

 

Bee

[Cap'n Refsmmat]

Yes, one major problem IE is going to face is that many of the little hacks that got IE6 to work on sites are going to screw up sites in IE7.

[herme3]

Yes, one major problem IE is going to face is that many of the little hacks that got IE6 to work on sites are going to screw up sites in IE7.

 

What type of hacks do you mean? All of my web sites display exactly the same in IE6, Firefox, and IE7.

[Cap'n Refsmmat]

Plenty:

http://www.maratz.com/blog/archives/2005/06/16/essentials-of-css-hacking-for-internet-explorer/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticisms_of_Internet_Explorer#Workarounds

[Pangloss]

I'm gonna go with a thumbs-up on the tabs. It could use a little HCI tweaking, but it's pretty good and it feels like a small step up from Firefox.

 

Firefox fans should be overjoyed with IE7. Competition only works when minds are open and objective. If you're a Firefox fan and are dissing IE7 without even a look-see, you can no longer -- ever -- claim that competition is a good thing, because you're not participating in it. 'Nuff said.

[1veedo]

If it ran on wine I'd give it a look

 

http://appdb.winehq.org/appview.php?versionId=4195

 

It seems that the lattest IE will only run on Windows because of some security check. It wants to make sure you're using Windows XP SP2.

[Pangloss]

It also runs on Vista, which is where I've used it. (It's already installed when you load Vista.)

[softdragonz]

A note was posted by MSN games that none of them are supported in the new IE7

 

Well.... loss of backward compatability is a poor software design.

 

But i do appreciate tabs. I saw em on Firefox and was wondering what took MS so long. I guess future versions of windows will have tabbed windows explorers and Office2003 styles. Cool huh.

 

And i saw a dotNET project which used IE6 controls to create a new web browser with tabs.

[Softix]

I got some error browsing something but I think IE7 is good but whenever browsing is concern I only used firefox because of its features.

[jeremyhfht]

I'll put it simply. Firefox does everything IE7 does (and more), only better. Which is obvious considering Firefox has had a hell of a lot more time to do it. An example would be Tabs.

 

P.S: One major factor to consider is the "Linux effect". Linux is barely used by anyone, so nobody writes viruses/spyware/etc for that OS. Firefox, market wise, is barely used by anyone. So barely anyone attempts to find exploits.

 

Security through obscurity! Also why IE7 will fail.

[insane_alien]

"Linux effect". Linux is barely used by anyone, so nobody writes viruses/spyware/etc for that OS

 

not strictly true, 80% of servers run linux. servers are the most likelyto have goodies on them and cause the most destruction if taken down. therefore virus writer would want to target linux systems.

 

linux has security by design which is why there are less attacks.

 

also, firefox has greater than 50% market share in some parts of the world. mainly in europe.

[Aeternus]

also, firefox has greater than 50% market share in some parts of the world. mainly in europe.

 

I love Firefox and all but could you back up that statistic? (It'd be nice to use as evidence in future)

[insane_alien]

whoops sorry, i meant 20%

 

heres the source. http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/0,1000000121,39247539,00.htm

 

finland has 38% hardly a 'barely used' case.

[jeremyhfht]

I'd argue, only you sound like a linux tree-hugger. (joking)

 

Also, using locational statistics is ridiculous. Anyone aiming for a mass-effect wants a GLOBAL mass effect. Unless you want to prove that specific countries are targeted, the point of using those statistics is mute. Or is that moot? Damn it.

[thedarkshade]

For an internet browser I'd strongly suggest Mozilla Firefox and Safari (the latest versions). They're fast, reliable, secure and elegant. It's worth it to give it a try!

 

Cheers,

Sh8

[insane_alien]

20% of europe is still a lot of people on a global scale.