Internet Explorer
After two years since Internet Explorer 8 was launched, Microsoft has released the final version of its latest web browser, Internet Explorer 9, available for download. Thanks to powerful competitors (Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox) and the declining usage of Internet Explorer in general, Microsoft was forced to rebuild Internet Explorer not only to run faster (and to be more responsive), simpler and more secure, but also to be redeem itself in the eyes of web developers and standards-savvy designers against the bad reputation of being a non standards compliant browser.
The first thing you'll notice when you run Internet Explorer 9 for the first time is its new, simplified and minimalist interface. There is a single location bar for searches and URLs (similar to Google Chrome) and the browser tabs opens on the same row as the location bar in a single strip alongside. There are of course, pros and cons associated with this. The benefit is clear - more browsing room. Although, if you open several tabs at the same time, it becomes difficult to distinguish the tabs. Among other news, the Stop and Refresh buttons live now inside the location bar along with the search drop-down menu icon. Also, all items associated with print, safety and other controls have gone now into the Tools menu.
Finally, the SmartScreen Filter will warn you if you're downloading a known virus, before you run the file and also if you're downloading a file that hasn't been verified as safe. As expected, the other security feature built into the browser, called Protected Mode, which stops Internet Explorer 9 or ActiveX controls running in the browser from accessing the system to make malicious changes.
Pluses: HTML 5 compatibility, address bar search function, ability to pin Web site shortcuts to taskbar in Windows 7, hardware acceleration, fast.
Drawbacks / flaws: Slow install, forces a reboot, does not work in Windows XP, requires SP2 to work under Windows Vista, there are a number of features that only work on Windows 7.
In conclusion: With all this being said, IE9 is fast and highly usable, actually, even enjoyable to use. Looks like Microsoft has put together all their focus to give Web users good reasons to at least give IE 9 a try.
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