Internet Explorer 8 - Evolution not revolution (Microsoft Internet Explorer 8)

Member Name: chris212

Product:	Microsoft Internet Explorer 8
Date:	29/05/09 (140 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: New Features like Privacy Mode

Disadvantages: New features already avaliable on competitors, lagging behind in new ideas

Internet Explorer 8 is the latest of the Microsoft internet application software Internet Explorer, that was released in March of this year; that according to Microsoft will allow a user to access web pages faster and more securely than the previous Internet Explorer 7. But what I have found with this latest release is that it is more of an evolution than a revolution, as more of the work as been done under the bonnet.

The layout of IE 8 is exactly the same as IE 7, in that Microsoft has continued in its minimalist approach. As all there is is an address bar, a bar for a search engine, the favourites button, the tabbing system, a home button, a print button and buttons that allow a user to go in the applications options.

One of the major additions to IE 8 is the introduction of a privacy mode. The privacy mode allows a person to use the application to browse the internet and when they are completed have all the information that was stored in the cache deleted, so nobody else can view the information or websites the user was looking at. This can be good in a family setting or communal setting where more than one person uses the computer on the same account and you want to keep information private. The way the user can access this feature is under the safety button on the main bar at the top. Although this feature is new, and may seem as brand new to some people, it is not, as many of Microsoft's competitors have included versions within their own web browsers long before the introduction of the IE 8. What I have found with the privacy mode is, while it may be a good feature to have, I use the feature rarely.

Another good feature that has been added to IE 8 is web accelerators, this is a form of selection based searching. The way this works is highlighting a word or words on the web page the user is looking at and right clicking brings up a number of options; such as searching within a search engine such as google, to translate a page or to search for a item on a shopping site or auction site such as Ebay. This is the newest feature that I use the most, as it makes it easy to access information than opening a new tab and going to the web page.

Another feature that a user of IE 8 has to be aware of is the introduction of the compatibility mode, this is the feature that allows the web browser to operate as if the web browser is IE 7. The reason this had to be included is because of technical reasons, in the way a web page is developed by a developer and is then displayed on your screen; as Microsoft are notorious for not sticking to web and browser standards and developers built their web pages to adapt to these problems. The problems this can cause is for the web page displayed in a way that it was intended to and the web page loses its emphasis; as menus and pictures are not in the right order or are not in the correct place. The way Microsoft has corrected this is when a web page does not appear in the same way as it would have done under IE 7, then the user has to option to turn on compatibility mode. This button can be located at the very top of the screen next to the address bar, in an icon that looks like a torn piece of paper.

There are features that have come in for some criticism, such as the suggested site list, this is a feature that brings up a number of suggested sites that are associated with the site the user has visited or other people have visited. The problem with this is to make this feature work the browser has to contact the Microsoft server to bring up the list, this has been described as a "calling home" feature. It raises issues of privacy as information of the site is given to Microsoft to build this list for the user. But a good point to make is that this feature is automatically turned off and that if a user wants to use this feature the user themselves would have to turn it on. I would not turn on this feature as I value my privacy, but it is up to the individual user, but because of the main complaints on privacy Microsoft turned this feature off until activated.

When reviewing whether or not it was a good idea to upgrade from IE 7 to IE 8, in terms of security I would say yes it was wise, as I would advise any person that has a free update for a product to upgrade as it would provide better security. In terms of features, there a some features that do make it worth the upgrade such as in privacy mode, but some that do not such as the suggested list. Overall I would suggest upgrading as at some point, because if IE 8 is your main web browser sooner or later you will have to upgrade as other applications or software will only work with the most latest IE.

In terms of comparison of other web browsers from other companies, I cannot comment on as I do not use any other web browser than IE, as I am stupidly brand loyal and as it is already installed it is easier just to upgrade the IE to the newer version.

Summary: Feels more like a minor update rather than major, would still upgrade

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