IE 7, Microsoft you must be kidding

Stan Beer
Tuesday, 25 April 2006 17:45

Your IT - Home IT

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The last time I did a review of a browser beta, I'm embarrassed to say I got it wrong. My apologies to Opera 9 fans. Your favourite browser is lightning fast - I just didn't wait for my cache to catch up. I still prefer the Firefox interface and I reckon the speed is comparable. Oh that's right, this article is supposed to be about the latest Internet Explorer 7 beta. In my opinion, it's a dog. It's slow and I hate the user interface.

OK, that's just my opinion but you have to question the direction Microsoft is heading in when it releases a product upgrade with a user interface that is virtually unrecognizable compared to the previous release. Understandably, Microsoft wanted to improve the functionality (let's forget about security) of IE 6 to something approaching that of Firefox and Opera. However, while I'm still trying to make up my mind about Opera, Firefox manages to achieve all the functionality you need without requiring the user to take a course in how to use it.

Microsoft seems obsessed with the idea of doing away with menus and tool bars. Has it ever bothered to consult with us ordinary users about this obsession? The Internet Explorer team will no doubt say yes. However, hands up everyone who's comfortable with the familiar menu and tool bar at the top of your screen. We all know how to use it like we know how to use a telephone. That was the idea wasn't it?

On the positive side, the IE 7 is jam packed with functionality. You've got the tabs, the RSS feeds and you've even got an anti-phishing filter but intuitive it is not. Now a word on speed - and I say this with caution because of my faux pas with Opera - IE 7 appeared as slow as a wet week when I tested it. As a long time user of maddeningly slow IE 6 as my second browser (after Firefox), I can say the IE 7 beta 2 appears even slower. Compared to Firefox and Opera it's an old jalopy and I have a high speed cable broadband connection.

To be fair to Microsoft, we are still taking about a beta release. However, the disturbing feature about the learning curve required to get used to the IE 7 interface is that Microsoft promises us more such learning curves in the future with the release of Vista and Office 2007. One wonders why Microsoft feels that the way to differentiate itself from its rivals is to foist upon its loyal followers something that they don't want. Microsoft, please give us added functionality and security but for crying out loud, don't sacrifice usability.