| From BETA version to final release on 18 Oct | | | | online include statements that the IE7 |
| 2006, the talk about the new Microsoft | | | | upgrade is mandatory for XP users with SP2 |
| Internet Explorer 7 browser replacement for | | | | and permanently replaces IE6. This is just |
| the 5 year old IE6 includes a variety of | | | | not true. If you detest change, Microsoft |
| conflicting opinions. Some sources of | | | | gives you the rollback option to keep the |
| information are outdated from as far back as | | | | familiar IE6. Even if you upgrade and find |
| 2005, so use caution when searching for | | | | the learning curve too steep or |
| advice or reviews from experts you find | | | | uncomfortable, you may still revert to IE6 |
| online. Here is an example that may cause | | | | using commands within your control panel.The |
| concern with small business website | | | | real struggle may be for website designers |
| owners.Quote: In July 2005, this comment | | | | when testing new designs for cross browser |
| about the BETA version of the IE7 browser was | | | | compatibility. Will your site display well |
| published and quoted on PC Magazine's | | | | in Opera, Netscape, and FireFox as well as |
| website: "At present, IE7 has a problem | | | | the old IE5 or IE6, and now IE7? Most |
| rendering some web pages. According to | | | | designers will test new designs; however, you |
| Microsoft, this is caused by the sites, which | | | | may face some expense if older site designs |
| need to update their detection code for | | | | need tweaking. When testing your site as |
| IE7."As of 19 Oct 2006, the link to this | | | | suggested above, use your best judgment to |
| comment still displays near the top listings | | | | decide if your site display is acceptable |
| if you search in Google for "IE7+reviews", so | | | | even if it is different.For general interest, |
| don't be deceived by outdated | | | | you may want to download all of the major |
| information.According to Microsoft "Internet | | | | browsers and test your site. Each is free, |
| Explorer 7 provides significant security | | | | and although the majority of internet surfing |
| improvements, making it far more secure than | | | | is done with Internet Explorer, my advice is |
| IE6. While Microsoft is encouraging everyone | | | | make sure your site displays well for the |
| to upgrade to IE7, the application will not | | | | growing number of visitors who choose |
| be installed without user consent during the | | | | alternate browsers. Search in Google for |
| Auto Update process. In addition, users will | | | | "browser downloads" to find links for |
| be able to rollback to Internet Explorer 6 by | | | | downloading each of the major browsers, |
| removing Internet Explorer 7 through the | | | | especially FireFox, Opera, and Netscape.Bonus |
| Windows Control Panel Add/Remove Programs | | | | Tip: Want to see how your site looks on a |
| utility."Small business owners may not have | | | | cell phone screen? Use the Opera browser and |
| the time to study the latest trends in online | | | | while on your page hold down the SHIFT button |
| browsers, and some changes may take them by | | | | and press the F11 function key once. Opera |
| surprise. The new version of the browser is | | | | will simulate the look of your website as |
| offered during automatic updates. For | | | | seen on a cell phone screen. Repeat the |
| business owners inexperienced in selecting | | | | steps to return to normal full view.In |
| options for auto updates, the new IE7 may be | | | | conclusion, the new version IE7 browser has |
| installed without realizing alternatives | | | | been announced with a variety of key benefits |
| exist. If this happens to you, do not be | | | | including improved security and enhanced |
| alarmed. You probably needed it, especially | | | | support of CSS, Cascading Style Sheets. CSS |
| the security enhancements.Misinformation | | | | is a technique used by some website designers |
| abounds, so use caution when anyone makes | | | | for improved load time and rendering of web |
| statements comparing IE7 to Y2K. Based on a | | | | pages. Your small business website may or |
| variety of comments seen already, some | | | | may not use CSS. It may not matter. Once |
| website designers would have you believe that | | | | the dust settles, the improved browsing |
| much like Y2K the new release could spell | | | | experience will overcome any initial bugs |
| doom and gloom for websites designed with | | | | we've learned to expect with any product |
| older code techniques. The best way to | | | | launch.Special note: Within 24 hours of the |
| determine if the new Internet Explorer 7 | | | | release of Microsoft Internet Explorer 7, |
| browser is right for you is to actually test | | | | media reports on 19 Oct 2006 circulated |
| it, and see if in fact your site renders | | | | warning of security issues from spoof |
| properly.Look for graphics, blocks of text, | | | | websites offering the latest release for |
| or other elements that appear to be pushed | | | | download when in fact they install a trojan |
| out of place. Compliance to worldwide code | | | | virus to open a backdoor portal on your |
| standards established by the W3C, Worldwide | | | | computer. If your pc does not update |
| Web Consortium, has been characterized by | | | | automatically, do NOT consider downloading |
| some website designers as a low priority for | | | | the new browser from any site other than the |
| Microsoft in the past. Complying with code | | | | official Microsoft website.Jim Degerstrom |
| standards is voluntary, so of the 4 major | | | | offers small business advice based on 30 |
| browser vendors, Microsoft has a reputation | | | | years in management, sales, and marketing, |
| amongst website designers for being slow to | | | | including President or General Manager of |
| comply. As a result, code tricks called | | | | small companies in 5 states. He is proficient |
| "hacks" have been included in HTML code to | | | | in website and graphic art design, and runs |
| overcome past deficiencies. Maybe, just | | | | his online Small Business Resource Center at |
| maybe, this could be a problem in your small | | | | from Kissimmee FL USA. |
| business website design.Other comments viewed | | | | |