Using IE 8 or 9 on a Mac

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Having recently switched to a Mac, I am having difficulty in getting my wife to use the new machine. I have pointed out that Safari is the browser on Mac but she wants to use IE8 or 9.

I have found a package called VirtualBox that runs windows applications on a Mac but does anyone know how much that will slow the Mac down? One of the things that we both like with the Mac is the speed of response.

And if I do install Virtualbox, do I then have to purchase a copy of the latest Windows 7 to install on my IMac or can I just down load IE8(or 9) from the web and install it?

Thks Ian:\
 
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You can't really run IE without running Windows on your Mac. Did you ask why she still wants IE?
 
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You will have to purchase a copy of Windows 7 to use with either Virtualbox,Parallels,
VM Fusion or the included Bootcamp and then you can run IE8 or IE9 this is an expensive proposition for just using IE unless there is a specific reason to need this it
would be easier to learn Safari.
 
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If IE is a must, you might consider something like Crossover. It'll run IE without having to have a full Windows environment or license. It also has a free trial.
 
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Have her try Firefox or Chrome. I like both of those better than Safari.
 
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Crossover (as suggested by EvenStranger) works pretty well and avoids having to run a full machine, virtual or otherwise. Depending on the reason on why you want to run IE - Crossover may not work. I could not get Crossover to load a few ActiveX programs that my company uses to do time tracking nor could I get a Outlook Web Access ActiveX to install (required by Exchange 2003). This isn't needed anymore as Exchange 2007 and higher actually don't need that ActiveX control anymore and pretty much works with any browser.

Anyway, it would be interesting to know why there is a requirement for IE.
 
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Apparently you need to teach your wife better. IE 8 or 9? Silly woman.
 
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Show her top sites and let her "fiddle" with safari for a few days. She'll convert!
 
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chas_m

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I don't mean to be rude, but I'm really and truly having a difficult time imagining why ANYONE with the option of a choice or browsers would go for IE over any of the other clearly superior options (Safari, Firefox, even Chrome!).

I can only speculate that there is some feature she likes and just doesn't know how to access it on a different browser.
 

vansmith

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I don't mean to be rude, but I'm really and truly having a difficult time imagining why ANYONE with the option of a choice or browsers would go for IE over any of the other clearly superior options (Safari, Firefox, even Chrome!).
If you need ActiveX, you have no choice - you need IE.

And, to pick on one specific part of your post, are you recommending Chrome? You wouldn't be suggesting Chrome if it spied on you now would you? ;)
 
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chas_m

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Even as Google creeps into your room and observes you as you sleep at night, at least Chrome uses established web standards to do so! :)
 

bobtomay

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I don't mean to be rude, but I'm really and truly having a difficult time imagining why ANYONE with the option of a choice or browsers would go for IE over any of the other clearly superior options (Safari, Firefox, even Chrome!).

You forgot Opera!
 
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Setting up a virtual machine so she can use IE seems a bit extreme. Just get her to try out chrome for a while.
 
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I'm still curious as to why she wants to use IE....
 
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I don't mean to be rude, but I'm really and truly having a difficult time imagining why ANYONE with the option of a choice or browsers would go for IE over any of the other clearly superior options (Safari, Firefox, even Chrome!).

I can only speculate that there is some feature she likes and just doesn't know how to access it on a different browser.

IE9 actually performs quite favorably, contrary to the perception of IE that version 6 propagated. If she likes the UI better than those in other browsers and has no need for the fancy features they bring, I can see someone preferring to use IE9.
 
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Some people are terrified of change. My wife is one of them. She came from IE. She's been using Firefox for a few months now and is OK with it.
 

vansmith

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IE9 actually performs quite favorably, contrary to the perception of IE that version 6 propagated. If she likes the UI better than those in other browsers and has no need for the fancy features they bring, I can see someone preferring to use IE9.
I'll second that. In all honesty, IE9 isn't all that bad and it performs reasonably well. I wouldn't use it since I'm fully "committed" to Chrome and Opera but it wouldn't be a terrible backup. In my opinion, IE9 is the first version of IE in a long time that MS actually felt compelled to put a lot of work into and the results show. And with more competition, the users win.
 

chscag

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And... Opera for Windows is even better. ;P
 
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chas_m

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Unquestionably, IE9 was a huge improvement. Not disputing that, just saying that it's still an MS product and ergo gets routine security patches.

I definitely like the new direction MS took with IE9 over previous versions, but I just don't think it's the leader of the pack of Windows browser options.
 

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