Topic: Internet Explorer 7 Beta 2 for download

[Mr_Tricorder]

Available here.  http://download.microsoft.com/download/9/7...sXP-x86-enu.exe

As much as I seriously dislike IE, I'm willing to give this a try just to see for myself what new "improvements and innovations" they've made.  I just finished installing it, but haven't tried it out yet since it requires me to restart my computer.

It's also good to see that Microsoft is incorporating humor in their install wizards now (although I have a slight nagging feeling that they're actually trying to be serious)
Straight from the install wizard:

Before installing Windows Internet Explorer 7 Beta 2 Preview, you need to validate your copy of Windows with Windows Genuine Advantage.  Validation assures that you are running a genuine copy of Windows. By using genuine Microsoft Windows software, you can be confident that you will have access to the latest features, updates, and support which will help to improve your productivity and expand the capabilities of your PC.  You will also have access to new innovations and offerings available only to genuine Windows customers.

This is so rediculous and funny.  I couldn't help but laugh.  I can't think of a single reason why they wouldn't want someone to use IE 7 Beta on either a pirated copy of Windows or another OS (via WINE or similar app).

Not to mention that it's totally filled with nonsense.  I can't remember the last time I was ever "confident" about any "new innovations and offerings" that M$ has made.

[Mr_Tricorder]

Well, I am currently viewing this site in IE 7 beta2, and I have to admit that for the average user who doesn't really know or care about how the browser really works "under the hood", it seems very nice.  The interface has been totally redesigned, and I think I might actually like this setup better.  It seems to be a more efficient use of screen real estate than the more traditional browser layout.

My biggest complaint within the first two minutes of using it is that there doesn't appear to be any option for importing favorites (or bookmarks) from any other browser.  It doesn't even preserve your favorites list from IE6. edit:  I found out how to do this

I'll let someone who knows what they're talking about comment on how the browser actually works compared to IE6, Firefox, and others, but from the normal user's perspective, IE 7 looks really good.

edit:
(Actually, this is my second attempt at editing this post since it couldn't find the webpage after the first time.  I don't know it this was a browser issue or a problem with the site.)
I don't like the search bar.  In order to change your search engine from the default msn search, you click on the drop-down arrow next to the search bar, which opens a fairly useless menu.  The only useful option in this menu is "Get Search Providers...", which brings you to a page where Microsoft has listed several search engines (I half-expected them to leave out Google, but it's there).  Why this extra step, when in Firefox and Opera you have several different search engines listed directly in their drop-down menus.  Also, it plays the "Default Beep" noise whenever you complete a search by hitting Enter (t does not do this if you click on the "search" button, but that's extra mouse work I would rather not do). This gets very annoying very quickly.

[Sirgod]

Doh . just saw this, yeah all you have to do for your Favorites/Bookmarks is use the import Export wizard from the File menu.

Thanks for the heads up though.

Stephen

[FA Frey XC]

It's a BETA, Tricorder

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