Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 Review

Bottom-Line:  Frankly, I can take or leave this version of Internet Explorer. 

I remember Microsoft's first iteration of Internet Explorer released in the mid-1990's; the interface was clunky, slow, ugly, and not very user friendly. That earlier release was based upon the Mosaic web browser developed at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications' (NCSA) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Earlier this year Microsoft released the newest version of its (free) Internet browser, Internet Explorer (I.E.) 8.0 after almost a year of Beta testing.  This new version, which has been released for Windows XP (SP2), Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, and Windows 2003 (SP1), Windows Vista, and Windows 7 is not better than the one it is replacing: IE 7.0.  While I.E. 7.0 finally brought tabbed browsing and word processor like printing to Internet Explorer, I.E. 8.0 ushered in nothing radical, or practically noteworthy. 

My Viewpoint

I had been Beta testing I.E. 8.0 since Microsoft released the Beta 2 code to certain business customers in the spring of 2008.  That initial release was, like most Beta programs was well, buggy, but there nothing show-stopping about the quirks.    

Microsoft retained the tabbed browsing (yes it far past time I.E. included tabbed browsing), which I now rely on heavily.  The look and feel has not changed between I.E. 7.0 and I.E. 8.0; the browser still takes on the look and feel of Windows Vista with its Aero desktop motif, rounded edges, and glass-like appearance. 

My one gripe is still the favorites menu; somehow Microsoft managed to ruin (make worst) the functionality of favorites.  Adding to your favorites is not a simple affair; the process is unnecessarily cumbersome; e.g. by default all of links are expanded with no way to collapse them.  This can become old quickly, if you like me, has a large list of favorites and you want to add another quickly.  It seems to me like old ways were better; why fix what's not broken.     

On a sour note I.E. 8.0 is a resource hog, with each tab seeming to take up its own swath of resources; very annoying!  And at times I.E. 8.0 hangs without warning and for no discernable reason.  Once it crashes, it does ask politely if I would like to restart it, once it finds a solution.     

Printing has also improved greatly; I.E. 8.0 allow the user to control the look and size of the printed output; no more wasted pages!  That feature in and of itself is worth an upgrade.  By default the page is set to "Shrink to Fit," but it can be enlarged to as much as 200% or reduced to as little as 30% or its original size.  You can also toggle on and off the page headers and footers, as well as change the page orientation; it is very frustrating to have to continually waste paper on meaningless footer information when printing most web pages.         

Frankly, I can take or leave this version of Internet Explorer.  No doubt if you get regular Microsoft updates you have downloaded and possible installed I.E. 8.0 (you can refuse the download and installation).  Even with its updated interface, tabbed browsing, and improved printing, this version might not be worth the install.  If you decide to stick with I.E. 7.0 you can't go wrong.