What is Internet Explorer ?  Is it any "better" than the last version?  Why should I bother to upgrade?

 

Firstly, this article is design for those with a little bit of knowledge surrounding how to browse the Internet, if you are finding this article a little too hard to understand, please contact us to give us some suggestions, we are always happy to provide an article that suits your need. 

OK, great you are reading on. 

Microsoft has released a new browser, namely Internet Explorer 8 in early 2009 with some features and benefits that may be of interest to you. 

1st point is a common feature from prior versions, but for some reason people still forget this basic functionality, tab browsing.  In much earlier version of IE, you had one windwo, needed to view another page, open up another window.  Simply put, use the tabs, it keeps your windows desktop clearer and easier to manage. 

2nd point is the ability to blog, map search, real time translate languages, email and much more.  Simply right click any portion of the page, or highlight a section and right click.  A whole bunch of options now appear.  Now whilst some might be able to fully use this funcationality, we are becoming a very quick Australian society of being connected online, this includes Facebook, Twitter and blogging sites.  IE8 makes discussion content found on the web, just that much easier. 

3rd point is the ability to search for "RSS feeds".  Ok so what is this some may ask?  It is the ability for someone who runs say a blog, or a news section on their website to allow their audience to subscribe via RSS and link it to their browser, email client and a few other methods.  So instead of their audience going to their website for the information, they simply click in their website for the updates, click on the topic that is most relevant to them.  So in IE8 you can see a little organge icon, if it is highlighted then it has found RSS feeds on that website page where you can subscribe to.  Small hint, go to The Age website, find the travel section, you will see what I mean.  There is also web slices, though I will save that topic for another time, but it more or less provides the same functionality. 

4th point is not necessarily new, but critical and that is anti-phishing tool bar.  If you dont know what this is, simply put that there are criminals who produce replica websites that are completely fraudulent, like a banking website, to intice people like you to think you are entering in your banking details.  NEVER give out your banking password, the banks, nor anyone should ask for this.  Especially never link from another page except google, to your bank. 

5th point is the smart address bar.  In short this means when you start typing in the address bar for an address, but you can't fully remember it.  The address bar will start to recognise immediately what you are typing and giving you suggestions.  Very handy at times. 

In summary, IE8 is a fantastic update from Microsoft, however there are still a few little "bugs" that need ironing out, though I believe we will soon see this in our next round of Microsoft updates.  

Need to know more, need some assistance, please contact us.  If you want to read the tutorial on IE8, please go here.