Main » 2012»April»1 » Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 (Beta) review
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Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 (Beta) review
Ever since Internet Explorer beat Netscape and turned into the web
industry's least favourite boat anchor, Microsoft has been struggling to
turn the tide.
IE7 was little more than a statement that it
planned to become a contender again, and IE8 was a decent overhaul, but
one whose success came firmly from being a Microsoft release rather than
because of any intrinsic improvements over its rival Firefox.
With IE9, everything's changing. For starters, XP isn't supported – unless you're on at least Vista, you can't use it.
The
once heavy, intrusive browser has been stripped down, now focusing on
the web content you're looking at rather than trying to impress you with
gimmicky features, heavy interfaces or many of the other IE hallmarks
we've seen over the last five years.
In short, IE9 is now Google
Chrome. It looks like Chrome, it smells like Chrome and, while it
doesn't work as well as Chrome, it's still in beta.
Notable
visual issues right now are the blank gap where the title should be,
which niggles the eye every time it catches it, and the way the address
bar forces your tabs into a much smaller area, greatly reducing how many
you can comfortably use.
Subtle changes
Many
of the new features are ones we've seen before, such as being able to
rip tabs out of a window at will, or more subtle notifications when IE
wants to check that you're okay with a page or alert you to something.
There
are some new ones though, including the ability to add bookmarks to
your Taskbar and run them like applications, and Aero Peek support for
the tabs you have open in your browser – at the time of writing, Chrome
only displays the active browser window.
It feels like Microsoft
is putting its ego aside and realising that it's the web pages that
matter. This is how the whole industry is going at the moment, and it's
good to see it not trying to fight it. After all, when you're the
dominant player, you don't have to.
It's unlikely that IE9 will give you a real reason to switch back, but it should be an excellent update if you use it by choice.
Changed the future in 1829 Stephenson's Rocket - Science Museum Site display :NormalText only Skip to content Privacy and cookies|Sign up to our newsletter|Home Visit The Museum Online Stuff EducatorsShop OnlineAbout UsSearch Stephenson's RocketStephenson's Rocket changed the future in 1829It's the most famous steam locomotive in the world... but what makes it so special? The future then... Rocket was the world's first modern steam locomotive. Its design set the standard for 150 years. After Rocket's success the railways expanded quickly and for the first time huge numbers of people were able to move across the world... many in search of a new life.The future now...What could public transport look like in the future? One idea being tested at Heathrow is a network of personal driverless pods. Gliding along tracks, these 'pod cars' will take passengers non-stop to their destinations, cutting down on congestion and pollution. If they're a success, we could see pod cars in cities all around the world.'Rocket has a magical effect on visitors. I see grown men stop in their tracks and stare, like small boys, amazed that this is the real thing. Imagine their faces if they'd seen Rocket break that speed record!'John Fergus, Gallery WarderLearn more about this IconMaking the Modern WorldSee other IconsSteam EngineWhat links this massive machine with today's changing climate?More info Stephenson's RocketIt's the most famous steam locomotive in the world... but what makes it so special? More info Electric TelegraphUsing only 20 letters, how did this odd-looking machine make the world a smaller place? More info X-ray MachineLooking inside the body was tricky before the discovery of X-rays. What did it mean for medicine?More info Model T FordMotoring for the masses begins. Imagine swapping your horse for this handsome creature... More info PenicillinA life-saving medicine made from mould? Would you have believed it?More info V2 Rocket EngineThe Nazis built it to fire missiles at London. So why have we chosen a weapon of war to celebrate our centenary? More info Pilot ACE ComputerIn a world where computers could only do one thing, how slow could you bear to go? More info DNA Double HelixImagine how you'd feel if you thought you had discovered the secret of life... More info Apollo 10 CapsuleHow far? How fast? How on Earth? Forty years later we ask: would I have been as brave? More info Add your own IconWe want to know what invention or discovery has changed your life... Could it be the iPod, IVF or the internet? What would you choose? Your Icon suggestion * What makes it an Icon?* Your name * Your email (in case we want to follow up your suggestion)* Website (if you know of a page or site about your suggested icon)* Mandatory fieldsAccept terms and conditionsTerms $ conditionsThe information may be used to provide you with one email, should we want to contact you regarding your suggestion. Your email address will then be permanently deleted from our database. The Science Museum complies with the Data Protection Act 1998. HomeWhat's onAbout our centenaryCentenary iconsSteam EngineStephenson's RocketElectric TelegraphX-ray MachineModel T FordPenicillinV2 Rocket EnginePilot ACE ComputerDNA Double HelixApollo 10 CapsuleMemoriesCentenary appealBookmark this Find us onFacebookTwitterflickrYouTube FacebookTwitterGoogle+YouTubeFlickrPinterestContact usSupport usPress and MediaEnquiries/Freedom of Information
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