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IE7 Public Beta Due Early Next Year

By Nate Mook, BetaNews

December 6, 2005, 2:31 PM

Those eager to get a taste of the next Internet Explorer release with tabs and RSS support only need to wait a couple more months. A public beta of IE7 for Windows XP is slated to arrive in the first quarter of 2006, IE team head Dean Hachamovitch confirmed on Tuesday.

It's not clear if the public pre-release will be branded Beta 2; however, it does coincide with the expected Beta 2 launch of Windows Vista, which will also be open to the public. "We want to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to try a pre-release version of IE7 and tell us how it works with their web sites, their applications, their add-ons, and how they use the web overall," said Hachamovitch.

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By squirrel83

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 4:47 PM

Ive been using IE7 for 3 months now and have had no issues, except the toolbars placement, The only thing that firefox does better is the plugins.

Score: 0

By citizen420

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 2:16 PM

IE7 really SUX, if you want something superior USE FIREFOX!

Score: 0

By rickya100

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 6:53 PM

aaaaaa i hate people (citizen420) lambasting a program and giving no reason 4 it. it looks like your a sheep following all the other comments from other morons.

GIVE A REASON!!!!

and in case you've never had to think that much b4 it sounds something like "I hate IE because it's so tightly integrated into the OS"

give it a go, u might like it

Score: 0

By citizen420

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 7:02 PM

sory bout that, just posted summit below to explain.

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 3:36 PM

Have you used IE7?

If so, please explain why you think it "SUX" and keep in mind that it is a beta.

Score: 0

By citizen420

edited Dec 7, 2005 - 7:04 PM

yea i have, and their attempt at tabbed browsing is weak compared to firefox, the ui is badly made, and just the overall look n feel of it, is wrong.

"keep in mind that it is a beta."
im comparing to my first impressions of FF, when it was a beta.

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 11:55 PM

Fair enough.

My first impression was "Why did they put the tabs there? (above any toolbars you might have)"

But I've gotten used to it and actually prefer IE7's implementation of tabs over Firefox's now.

I guess it's just one of those personal preference things.

Score: 0

By JacenSolo

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 2:30 PM

Use Opera. 'Nuff said.

Score: 0

By citizen420

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 3:07 PM

Yo, i think you got firefox confused with opera. F-I-R-E-F-O-X is the good one. Need me to spell it out again for u?

Score: 0

By iamtux

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 8:17 AM

i tested the beta they released a few months ago. it was great, but sometimes rendering was a bit slow. at times, the program itself was slow, but i'm not going to blast it too much, b/c its a beta. i'll be eagerly awaiting this public release.

Score: 0

By matt2971

edited Dec 7, 2005 - 7:14 AM

I tested the non-public beta a while back, and although rendering time was significantly improved over IE6, it was still slower than Firefox 1.0.6, and probably is even more so with the release of FF1.5.

As for features, it's still poorly lacking compared to other browsers. In fact I was only testing the product to see if it was worth moving to IE7 core with the excellent Maxthon front-end over Firefox.

I still wouldn't use the IE front-end itself if you paid me... although I'm sure there are millions of people out there who know no better and will...

Score: 0

By TomA102210

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 10:01 AM

"although I'm sure there are millions of people out there who know no better and will..."
Really? Perhaps there are millions who know what they want and like IE making what you say totally uncalled for.

Score: 0

By JacenSolo

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 2:34 PM

I don't see HOW people can like IE. It's interface has barely changed over the years, even with the IE7 features. It's missingtoo many things that Firefox, Opera, etc, have.

Score: 0

By JacenSolo

posted Dec 6, 2005 - 11:52 PM

"It's not clear if the public pre-release will be branded Beta 2; however, it does coincide with the expected Beta 2 launch of Windows Vista, which will also be open to the public"
Does this mean they'll release a free version of windows for the public to test?

Score: 0

By iamtux

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 8:19 AM

that's what i gathered. the beta will probably stop working after a certain date, lock up or some features will be disabled in the beta, etc. we'll just have to wait and see.

Score: 0

By JacenSolo

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 2:31 PM

THat was my guess too. But it'll be long enough to test Vista.

Score: 0

By UrbanMyth

edited Dec 6, 2005 - 7:02 PM

I tried out a beta version of IE7 a few months ago... it does what it says on the label, but some websites wouldnt load (inlcluding Microsoft Update). I'm sure it's gonna b fine for the pre-release ver. and the new look is definately...interesting ... It takes a bit of getting used to, but at least it isn't Konqueror lol. Another quality MS product on the way I reckon.. (Linux developers might want to go get a handkerchief to cry into...again)

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Dec 6, 2005 - 10:18 PM

Yeah, it broke my Windows Updates too. They fixed the problem a couple weeks after the initial beta was released.

There are still definitely issues though. Half the time, Javascript functions will not work properly, and no matter what website Google Maps is embedded in, it will give an error that the GMaps API key isn't licensed for that site. Google Maps home still works though.

I think it will be a great browser once they've ironed all the kinks out of it.

I like the way the tabs are arranged, and the phishing filter is a welcome contribution as well.

Score: 0

By rickya100

posted Dec 6, 2005 - 6:49 PM

Used IE7 beta for a while, but there's no featues in it that I can't get from opera. And if that's the case how does M$ expect to keep/lure back users? Exactly they will keep integrating with the OS.

Don't get me wrong i'm pleased that M$ are progressing in this area but don't forget how far back they let themselves get with IE. There's still a hell of a lot of work to do.

but basically the bottome line is that as long as M$ choose to value market share over security I just can't imagine how anyone can trust them and use IE.

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Dec 6, 2005 - 10:20 PM

One thing Opera doesn't have: a phishing filter/alert system.

Yeah, I know it's a small thing, but you said "no features" =p

You're right though. People that like their Opera browser probably won't make the switch to IE7.

Score: 0

By rickya100

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 11:25 AM

Have to give you that one, forgot about the filter.

however while the phishing filter is a very good feature for novices anyone with a bit of knowledge, common sense and self control can use the information that Opera and Firefox give to the user in place of the filter. For example making sure the site is (HTTPS) secure.

But there is one thing that you're 100% right about....The majority of Opera/Firefox users will not abandon their respective browser.

I do find it amazing what a bit of competition has done to MS and their plans for IE.

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 3:39 PM

Phishing sites have secure servers (HTTPS) too.

That same information is visible in IE, and you have to be a little more careful than that to avoid phishing.

Score: 0

By rickya100

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 6:48 PM

OK this is my last post on this.

and b4 i begin i do agree with you in that the phishing feature is good in IE7 (as long as it's kept up to date). It's a feature that consumers can see and use so opera will prob get it. (that might even have been something that was agreed upon at the meeting between the major browsers)

all i'm saying is that as long as you don't follow links in e-mails and check out unknown sites, looking both at their connections and certificates as well as actually googling them for bad reports i think that you could be pretty safe. I mean thats what i've done for ages and i haven't fallen for any scams...yet.

I'll prob be using the phishing feature in IE7 in a few years when i'm buying of IE only sites after i upgrade to Vista. And while i'm on Vista.....(umm maybe that's not a good idea :)

Score: 0

By johnsony

posted Dec 6, 2005 - 5:53 PM

hmm.. Looking forward on this !

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

posted Dec 6, 2005 - 4:56 PM

I'll definately sign up...

Score: 0

By jshurst

posted Dec 6, 2005 - 4:12 PM

I thought I would never be able to try out IE. Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy with Firefox, but I also like new stuff. Hurry up already!

Score: 0

By heat_fan1

posted Dec 6, 2005 - 3:29 PM

This public beta was supposed to come out tomorrow along with Vista Beta, as was the WMP 11 beta. I'm guessing the WMP beta has also been delayed. I'm really excited for all three betas. Bring them already!!

Score: 0

By Kompressor

posted Dec 6, 2005 - 5:00 PM

If there's one thing I’ve learned is to keep away from Microsoft betas whenever possible. Although this doesn't hold true 100% of the time.

Score: 0

By WTFaCOCONUT

edited Dec 6, 2005 - 3:31 PM

AT LAST!!! I just tried out Vista Beta-1 and as we all know beta versions are "s***ty". This beta is no exception to that bias. But on the up side this holds alot more promise than XP ever did. I'm not sure if anyone noticed but doesn't the desktop of vista look a little bit like a ripped-off version of Linux?

Score: 0

By Jose

posted Dec 6, 2005 - 6:46 PM

You're forgetting that at Micro$oft, words have different meanings... When they say "Beta" they really mean "Alpha" (read: very buggy). When they release IE7, that will basically be what the rest of the world would call beta (just a bit buggy ;).

Score: 0

By 11001001

posted Dec 6, 2005 - 10:19 PM

Or perhaps you're forgetting that "Microsoft" isn't spelled with a "$" or that Microsoft is trying to have a change of heart and make good on their software.

Score: 0

By heat_fan1

posted Dec 6, 2005 - 3:30 PM

I think the desktop of Vista looks like a new version of Windows, but that may just be me.

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Dec 6, 2005 - 11:08 PM

Lol

Score: 0

By ServerMechanic

posted Dec 6, 2005 - 3:25 PM

It sucks. They way they implemented tabs really eats.

I love how they release a beta of IE like 6 months ago and now they are going to release a public beta in another 3 months or so? Great progress slowpokes.

Learn from Mozilla. Oh nevermind....you stole your whole browser from NCSA Mosaic.

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Dec 6, 2005 - 11:07 PM

How long was Firefox in beta? That's not a great example of speediness there bud.

Score: 0

By Kompressor

posted Dec 6, 2005 - 4:56 PM

I've used IE since 1.0 beta and I can tell you, after Microsoft got into the game, browsers advanced by leaps and bounds.

Score: 0

By KSzostek

posted Dec 6, 2005 - 11:09 PM

It works for me. I am pleased to see the direction Microsoft has taken with IE7.

Keep in mind it's still beta, but look at what we have so far!

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Dec 6, 2005 - 11:09 PM

I didn't think there was an IE version 1. I thought they started with IE 4.

Score: 0

By AlanRivaldo

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 12:26 AM

Nope - started with version 1. I don't remember it, but I do remember version 2, and it was nothing compared with NN3. Then IE4.0 came out, and it was "Game Over".
http://www.oldversion.com/program.php?n=msie

Score: 0

By nate

posted Dec 6, 2005 - 6:05 PM

When Microsoft got into the game, the World Wide Web didn't even really exist as it does today.

So yeah, browsers have advanced by leaps and bounds (we have images and frames now!), but I don't know if that had anything to do with Microsoft :)

Score: 0

By Banquo

posted Dec 6, 2005 - 4:54 PM

Oh, so licensing equals stealing? I think your ignorance is showing. If you go to About-IE it even gives credit to NSCA. By the way Netscape licensed code from them too genius.

Score: 0

By ServerMechanic

posted Dec 6, 2005 - 5:14 PM

Thanks. I'm glad you could tell that I am a genius.

Much appreciated.

Score: 0

By Banquo

posted Dec 6, 2005 - 5:27 PM

You're very welcome.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Dec 6, 2005 - 5:18 PM

Heh...

Score: 0

By snakes200

posted Dec 6, 2005 - 2:52 PM

it's about time. and vista is going to be open to the public as well? that is awesome. i can't wait.

Score: 0

By jsc315

posted Dec 6, 2005 - 2:52 PM

wow finaly Ie finaly has an update. how long has it been i forgot i havent used IE for years now.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

edited Dec 6, 2005 - 5:20 PM

Wow.

Just out of curiosity, and, no offense, mind you...

How old are you and, if it applies, what grade are you in? Country of origin/currently living in?

Thanks in advance.

Score: 0

By Banquo

posted Dec 6, 2005 - 7:03 PM

Why is any of that any of your business, and what does it have to do with IE not having a new version in many years? When did IE 6 come out? Look it up and get back to us, mmmkay.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Dec 7, 2005 - 10:01 AM

'scuse....

Was I talking to you?

No?

mmmkay.

Score: 0

By Banquo

edited Dec 7, 2005 - 11:56 AM

It's a public forum, I can respond if I want.

Score: 0

By steevio

posted Dec 6, 2005 - 3:49 PM

Is Vista 5259 public beta 2 ?
http://www.winsupersite.com/vista/

Score: 0

By Fidelio

posted Dec 6, 2005 - 8:32 PM

No, it is not. its a preview.

Score: 0

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