Question about IE8

Hi...

Just curious to know if there is a specific reason why MS does not do the upgrades of IE8 in the same way (and as frequently) as the others (Chrome, Opera, FF etc.)? And, why it is not possible to customize in terms of skins etc. like the other browsers?

What can be the reasoning behind this? If any, that is.

Cheers!

 

MS usually saves all the major changes for Numerical versions, and the smaller patches are usually released through Windows Update, no? Most of the other browsers have the same treatment with that part.

As for themes, IE is meant to work as is, not for adding on everything and customizing... sort of why they don't allow themes for the shell, they have to make sure everyone gets the same user experience so that they don't have to go around testing every single little theme made. You wouldn't believe how many people would call and say something about a button not matching someone else's default install (I've been asked where the close button is on my computer because its not clearly colored red, its actually clear like the other buttons on the theme I use).


Or, so I think.

 

MS releases security patches for IE often. They don't do version upgrades because many companies, who depend upon IE cannot cope up with the upgrades.

 

I understand what you are saying but recently a company like IBM opted to use FF company-wide. So, this means that they will also have to opt for the upgrades that FF brings out at regular intervals...no?

And, I guess the same would apply for Chrome and the companies that adopt it...most of all Google?

But I do see the point of IE8 being a "commercial grade" browser - though I don't know if it warrants that designation (I hasten to add that I find nothing wrong with IE8 and use it all the time).

But would this not be applicable to other browsers too? I have seen and been to many companies - large and small - where they use FF for work purposes - so, the concerns that you list (which are all very valid) would also apply.

Sometimes, I find this a bit strange on the part of IE8 - maybe they should have a band of limited "authorized" themes and other kinds of customizations. But then again, I guess they surely know what they are doing.

 

Firefox is still nowhere near the market share as Internet Explorer is, plus if you know how to download firefox, it can be assumed you already know what you're getting into with it

I think most of the people that get "forced" into using Firefox where they work usually don't know any better or couldn't tell the difference between IE and Firefox if you remove the program icon and made them look the same. They sort of did that with XP when they released the Royale and Zune themes for Windows XP.

I'm wondering why they don't just make the shell skinnable easily and just do what they did with the sidebar gadgets, file them all under the "We're not responsible" tag

 

Precisely! That way they allow for the browser (IE8) to be "locked down" if necessary, and allow for some flexibility to others who may wish to tinker with it. I also don't quite understand the problems that most people have with IE8. Yes, I can understand IE7 was not a good release, but IE8 seems stable and quite efficient.

I wonder if it is a similar case of those who hold strong feelings for or against Apple products. But sometimes the fanaticism is simply amazing. I always thought the reason could be attributed to the non-customizability of IE8 - but then when I hear/ read statements like" "I have banished IE8 from my machine", I wonder! Surely, that is more than just the irritation of not being able to customize a browser!

 

FF and Chrome minor version upgrades (like 3.6.X to 3.X.XX for FF) are nothing more than applying some stability and security patches, which applies to IE 8 too. But MS doesn't actually do the version change.

 

You mean the occasional security patches that are released through Win Update? If yes, then I understand/agree.

I wonder if there is a way by which I could find out how frequently (or otherwise) these browsers undertake to effect a major (i.e., version) change. Would it be around once a year or so?

Edit: Btw, is there a dedicated download manager for IE8? Would be grateful if anyone can point me to one. Thanks in advance.

 

Well, there are addons for IE8, but they're definitely not as publicized. I think this is mostly because Microsoft wants a consistent experience for all its users, because it knows those users capable of and desiring to go further will do so, and will be able to deal with potential consequences.

For example, I have the Mouse Gestures addon for IE8 (very useful, if you're used to using the built-in gestures in Opera or an addon in Firefox).

 

Makes sense. Any ideas about a download manager for IE8?