[vicsireland] Microsoft launches latest browser

  • From: "Ciaran Ferry" <Ciaran.Ferry@xxxxxx>
  • To: <vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:38:43 -0000

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7952505.stm

Microsoft has launched the latest version of its web browser, Internet
Explorer 8 (IE8) 

Microsoft says that IE8 is more secure, allows users to cut down on
common tasks and will be an integral part of its forthcoming Windows 7
system. 

Although IE is still the most popular browser, it faces stiff
competition from Google, Firefox, Opera and others. 

The release is Microsoft's first major browser update since 2006, when
the company released Internet Explorer 7. 

"Customers have made clear what they want in a Web browser - safety,
speed and greater ease of use," said Microsoft boss, Steve Ballmer. 

"With Internet Explorer 8, we are delivering a browser that gets people
to the information they need, fast, and provides protection that no
other browser
can match." 

Speaking to the BBC, Chris Green - the former editor of IT Pro - said
that despite the "marketing puff" the new version of Internet Explorer
was a significant
improvement on previous editions. 

"I've been using Internet Explorer 8 for more than six months and is
vastly better than IE7, which was big on features but poor on
performance. 
dot.life  
The relationship between IE and Windows is called anti-competitive by
some and essential by others 
Darren Waters
Technology editor

"The safety features in IE8 are very good. It can spot dubious websites
and alert you if you're about to fall foul of, let's say, a phishing
website, because
it has a constantly updating list of dodgy sites." 

Simple searching 

Microsoft has also introduced a feature that it is calling
"accelerators" which, say the company, make it easier to perform
web-related tasks directly from
the page by simply right-clicking a word or phrase. 

Computer Active's deputy editor, Tom Royal, told the BBC that it was
refreshing to see Microsoft pioneer features in a web browser rather
than playing catch-up.


"The accelerated menu is something no other browser has. 

"The contextual popup menus are a real step forward - for example,
highlighting and right-clicking on a postcode automatically brings up
Google maps. 

"This has real potential and will make surfing the web much easier. I'm
sure others will follow up with something similar," he added. 

Microsoft has also taken a leaf out of Mozilla's book when it comes to
searching. 

While Firefox allows users to switch between sites like Amazon and
Wikipedia, IE takes this a step further, displaying a preview of
suggested searches and
results appearing in a drop-down list. 
IE8 accelerator 
Searching topics can be done with a mouse click within an existing page

The new browser can also follow news headlines and track eBay auctions,
weather forecasts and blog posts with a feature the company is calling
Web Slice,
which is, essentially, a news ticker on the favourites bar. 

Microsoft's share in the web-browser market has been steadily declining
and it remains to be seen whether IE8 can reverse that trend. 

"A browser is still a very personal choice," said Mr Royal. 

"Some people like theirs simple and fast, while others want stuff with
loads of features. IE has always been all things to all people but the
perception
is that it's the browser that's just there rather than the one you would
choose to use. 

"For now, I would avoid using the new version not because it isn't any
good, it's that there are usually lots of undiscovered bugs and security
flaws on
any piece of new software," he added. 


Ciaran Ferry
Web & e-Services,
ESB ICT Group,
27 Lower Fitzwilliam St,
Dublin 2, Ireland.

Tel:   +353-1-(70)27945
Email: Ciaran.Ferry@xxxxxx
Web:   http://www.esb.ie 


Please consider the Environment before printing this email. 
An timpeallacht? - Smaoinigh air sula bpriontáileann tú an r-phost seo.

* ** *** ** * ** *** ** * ** *** ** *
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended 
solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed.
Tá an t-eolas sa ríomhphost seo agus in aon chomhad a ghabhann leis rúnda agus 
ceaptha le haghaidh úsáide an té nó an aonáin ar seoladh chuige iad agus na 
húsáide sin amháin. 

Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author, and do not 
necessarily represent those of ESB.
Is tuairimí nó dearcthaí an údair amháin aon tuairimí nó dearcthaí ann, agus ní 
gá gurb ionann iad agus tuairimí nó dearcthaí BSL. 

If you have received this email in error please notify the sender.
Má bhfuair tú an ríomhphost seo trí earráid, ar mhiste leat é sin a chur in iúl 
don seoltóir. 

Although ESB scans e-mail and attachments for viruses, it does not guarantee 
that either are virus-free and accepts no liability for any damage sustained as 
a result of viruses. 
Scanann BSL ríomhphoist agus ceangaltáin le haghaidh víreas, ach ní ráthaíonn 
sé go bhfuil ceachtar díobh saor ó víreas agus ní glacann dliteanas ar bith as 
aon damáiste de dhroim víreas. 

Company Registration Information: http://www.esb.ie/companies 
Eolas Cláraithe an Chomhlachta: http://www.esb.ie/companies
* ** *** ** * ** *** ** * ** *** ** *

Other related posts:

  • » [vicsireland] Microsoft launches latest browser - Ciaran Ferry