Microsoft hacks itself
Internet Explorer 7 –First look report
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Microsoft finally launches its upgraded browser the Internet Explorer 7 after making the beta version float around for quite a long time. Internet Explorer is one popular browser, which still existed even if it is bad, just because people are used to it. When even small developers started hacking IE and used it to build better browser, Microsoft decided to hack itself and produce a better browser. (I am just using the term hack loosely as relating to exploit or ‘build on top of’; would not want to use any euphemism for this desperate attempt by Microsoft’).
There is a drastic difference between the older version of IE and IE7, that it has these additional features: Enhanced security, RSS feeds, Auto-adjusted hard copy prints, Search and the most needed cannot-be-without feature of Tabbed browsing. For all those who have been just using the IE throughout their life will see all these as hi-fi features. But if you had even whisked past any other today’s browser, you would know these features are just too late finding its place in the most popular browser.
The IE7 is available from Microsoft website: https://microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.mspx
I was surprised when it asked for my operating system. MS (Microsoft) takes more than 5 years to release its upgraded version of browser and yet asks for operating system while downloading. I speculate a lot of bugs and ‘do not send error report’ scenarios simply because MS is not able to produce the version platform independent, at least across its own platforms. Clicked the drop down box and did not find a ‘Windows 2000’ in it. Then found from forums that Windows 2000 users are whining about MS not providing them IE7.
Any Microsoft download and installable would check if your OS is not a pirated version. If it is, then forget about installing any new updates. The download takes some time but installation happens hassle-free by itself and all that you need to do is click the button for ‘Restart’. On starting the IE7 the first impression of ‘look’ is good. It has both its traditional flavor and style combined; not surprising if you know that this would be default version of the awaited Vista OS. It is nice to see tabbed browsing in IE, i.e. all the pages in one window but different tabs. For all those who hate this compactness, there is also an option to disable tabbed browsing.
Automatically adjusting the page to fit the paper while printing is one worthy and new feature of IE7. IE7 need enhanced security and you cannot call it a feature really, given that the older version was the most susceptible for intrusion. RSS feeds are becoming popular these days and IE7 without that would have become obsolete even before release! If you are looking for additional features like download manager, Automatic form fill outs, etc. you might have to buy/download add-ons. Having seen so many browsers, I expected at least and in-built images and ads disabler, but MS haven’t spent time on it. When I close the IE7, I am surprised that it prompts me to save/discard the open pages (so as to open all the pages in the tabs when IE is restarted). Surprised because I believed MS would not have given this much thought. IE7 also allows you to group all the tabs under one name and open all of them at once.
The first look gives a feeling that IE7 release is not any bonus payout. It is comparable to just the payout of unduly long arrears of regular salary. Not every feature expected is there, but yes; IE has improved. Microsoft would want to make its next version of the browser a lot faster because it might not take a year for this browser to be outdated.
-Vinayak
(Please do RRC)
IE7 looks to be a less popular release when compared to ‘Don’!
Happy Diwali!