23 Dec 2006 | The new Internet Explorer 7
I visited the public library today with the intention of checking my email, when lo and behold, I discovered IE7 was installed on each computer on the second floor. Since IE7 officially can't be installed on my home computer (it can only run on versions of Windows XP with SP2), I seized the opportunity for a quick post.
Note: This entry is not intended to be a comprehensive review of the new Web browser Internet Explorer 7, but rather my first reactions and initial complaints.
My friend S-chan once told me that IE7 was "a bastardized version of Mozilla Firefox." Somewhat true, although the graphical user interface forcibly reminded me of Opera 9.
Promising new features:
- Improved security
- RSS support
- Browser tabs (finally!)
- ClearType — smooths the appearance of text on the screen, eliminating pixellated font
- 1px dotted borders, instead of erroneous dashed borders
- Support for transparent PNGs
- Support for
max-width,min-width, etc. - Improved CSS support overall, apparently (including corrected bugs that plagued previous versions of IE)
Some caveats:
- IE7 cannot be installed on Windows XP operating systems without the Service Pack 2
- IE7 "fixed" some common CSS hacks, including the Tan Hack (
* html). This'll definitely complicate my existence as a simple Web designer… - The ClearType font, although easier on the eyes, is a little disconcerting…
- IE7 messes up this blog's layout (the current Orange Jellies theme) because of my dependence on the Tan Hack.
Other than that, I now agree with S-chan's "bastardized" comment. IE7 doesn't score much points on originality, since much of the touted "new features" were already implemented long ago among its competitors. And the new IE logo is just a twist on the old one, which frankly looks a bit cheesy.
Tags: Web browsers
Deanna says:
Yea, when my IE got updated, I decided to open it and check it out. I totally agree with you guys about the new IE. its kinda annnoying how they just copy things.
As a response to your comment on my blog, i must point out that despite asians being envied, you must also realize that it also puts us at an disadvantage. people expect more from us on standardized tests among other things academic. the fact is that asians are discriminated against during college applications. studies have shown that asians would need to score about 50 points higher than an average non asian on tests in order to get judged the same way. this kind of stuff affects our futures directly so while i know i shouldn't get all bent out of shape over what rosie said, (and i didn't. i was merely expressing my anger at the way people and rosie responded.) i think people need to realize that stereotypes are a big deal and we've been so desensitized that people are jsut letting things go.
8:23 pm | Sunday, December 24, 2006
Jenny-fa says:
Yes, Deanna, I am aware of the discrimination against Asians and I agree with everything you've said. I was merely remarking that most white Americans can't hold a candle to Asians, academic achievement-wise, and that you shouldn't waste so much of your breath on their poor behavior.
Yes, those stereotypes are a pity. But you can't change their narrow-minded ways easily. And it's much better than it has been in the past… for instance, sometimes I'm amazed at people's efforts to be "politically correct" at all times. Anyways, don't lose sleep over it. Once again, let me just express my hope that, while mankind evolves, those idiots will be eventually weeded out from the population.
1:56 am | Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Stephanie says:
Haha…Microsoft's just trying to get some Firefox users back to using IE. I still like Firefox, though.
By the way, nice layout!
1:56 pm | Thursday, December 28, 2006
Amy says:
Heh, I don't think I'll be upgrading anytime soon, especially since you have to install something additional?? I'm using IE right now (not exactly my choice, cuz my dad doesn't think IE and Firefox should be installed on the same computer or something, and he chose IE o_O), although maybe I'll get to use Netscape which came pre-installed (but I guess not ENTIRELY installed, since it doesn't work) on our computer. XP
1:20 pm | Friday, December 29, 2006
Deanna says:
hey, yeh let's link each other. lol. er…dou itashimashte to your advanced arigato. :P
2:41 am | Saturday, December 30, 2006
Misaki says:
I'm currently viewing your blog in IE7 aaand I don't see any messed up parts. o.O
I use Firefox 90% of the time, but I have to resort to IE when it comes to sites embedded with WMP stuff.
6:44 am | Monday, January 1, 2007
arathael says:
Hi there.. me again :)
About the css hack, it's gonna sound weird but, the RIGHT way to use different styles with Internet Explorer is using the Microsoft conditional comment.. these guys are so fond of their lack of quality that they put a behavior into all internet explorer versions to parse everything within this comment:
Special instructions for IE 6 here, like a css stylesheet include
You can specify what version of ie you would like to get affected, so, you can put a css link tag within this comment and ie will actually include it.
CSS hacks are not standards, so they can be mispelled in next firefox version..
12:56 am | Tuesday, April 17, 2007
arathael says:
ok i messed it up.. the conditional comment is invisible cause is a removed html tag..
Here it is
<!–[if IE 6]>
Special instructions for IE 6 here
<![endif]–>
12:57 am | Tuesday, April 17, 2007