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Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 - Tour

I've just downloaded and installed the beta 1 of Internet Explorer 8 into a virtual machine (no way am I ready to let that loose on my systems outside of a VM).
Written by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, Contributing Writer

I've just downloaded and installed the beta 1 of Internet Explorer 8 into a virtual machine (no way am I ready to let that loose on my systems outside of a VM).

Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 - Tour

I've only been using it a few minutes so there's no much to say beyond a few initial thoughts:

  • Install was quick, easy and painless.
  • IE8 looks an awful lot like IE7, just with a few tweaks.
  • Speed-wise IE8 feels snappier than IE7 ... might be an illusion.
  • If features such as Web Slices are going to take off, Microsoft needs to get web developers on board ... fast.
  • The redesigned address bar might help curb phishing attacks by making the domain you're visiting easier to spot.
  • Thanks to all the Activities stuff, the right-click is awfully busy.
  • I'm seeing a lot of minor site breakages in IE8 (running in IE7 emulation mode unbreaks the sites).
  • IE8 recovers from unexpected shutdowns very well.
  • Contrary to some reports I've been reading, IE8 Beta 1 passes the ACID 2 test:
    IE8 - ACID 2

Here's a rough-and-ready image gallery to help you get a feel for the browser.

   
Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 - Tour

   
Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 - Tour

   
Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 - Tour

   
Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 - Tour

   
Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 - Tour

   
Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 - Tour

If you want more information, check out coverage over on Channel 10.

Thoughts?

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