Microsoft moves to update Internet Explorer

Thumbs up to Microsoft as they push to move Internet Explorer to the latest versions.

From January, Internet Explorer (IE) users will be automatically updated to the latest version of the browser.

BBC News - Internet Explorer: Microsoft plans 'silent' updates

Thumbs down you mean.

For one I shall update my software when I wish to not when forced to. Looks like I shall be running without IE on Windows 7 Ultimate via Bootcamp.

I have been running IE9 on the HP for a while now so to me its better and certainly faster then than previous builds.

It's about time. The lack of updates, as evidenced by IE6 and IE7's significant enough market share (still), was the worst thing to happen to the internet. Old and outdated browsers do nothing but stunt the development of better technologies on the web. Given that, it's nice to see MS finally pushing to rid users of the scourge that is outdated versions of IE. It looks like Mozilla and Google have finally convinced MS that this is a good idea.

It's worth noting that businesses (and consumers) can opt out of this.

So, is IE now consortium compliant ?

Doug

Interesting that bit about removing the software. Would it not just install again on next updates if it is automatic? Believe MS must give users some credit right of veto.

Doug b said:

So, is IE now consortium compliant ?

Doug

Click to expand...

No browser is fully compliant and I'd guess that they never will be. Too many different competing interests.

Only tangentially related but I'd like to see Safari updated again soon...

You're not the only one - that leak still seems to be a problem. Thankfully, when a fix comes, SU will push it out relatively quickly.

More than just the leak. I find that even this site doesn't render very well lately - and that's on both my MBP and iMac. I have to scroll up and down to get the forum threads to be rendered by Safari. Annoying.

harryb2448 said:

Thumbs down you mean.

For one I shall update my software when I wish to not when forced to. Looks like I shall be running without IE on Windows 7 Ultimate via Bootcamp.

Click to expand...

Yes you should have choice, but so many non techie users don't bother to upgrade, so it maybe to get these people to upgrade. As for business, I recently worked for Bosch and they have moved to Firefox after years of sticking to IE6, but with only some entrenched business networks insisting on IE6, even they maybe forced to switch as the last consumers upgrade and IE6 becomes (hopefully) just too minor for web developers to code tweaks for.

I for one, will not miss the hours spent custom coding parts of websites to work well with IE6, it can double the time spent making websites.

While I agree that forced updates are a good thing in general, it's a nightmare to orchestrate when you're developing web-based apps for the enterprise. That's why I think IE6 & 7 have had so much longevity. Businesses just don't have the budget or the developers to reinvent all of their apps each time subtle changes are introduced into a browser. And when a web app is broken, it can spell huge trouble in production environments. So, while some may interpret Microsoft's lack of enforcement to date as apathy, I think it has a lot to do with catering to their core market.

BrianLachoreVPI said:

More than just the leak. I find that even this site doesn't render very well lately - and that's on both my MBP and iMac. I have to scroll up and down to get the forum threads to be rendered by Safari. Annoying.

Click to expand...

Ditto that just started for me as you say easy to overcome by scrolling but a pain no less.

Don't worry enterprise users

"Microsoft will also offer IE8 and IE9 Automatic Update Blocker toolkits which will allow enterprise admins to make the leap on their own schedule."

louishen said:

Don't worry enterprise users

"Microsoft will also offer IE8 and IE9 Automatic Update Blocker toolkits which will allow enterprise admins to make the leap on their own schedule."

Click to expand...

Figured as much, or they'd seriously irritate a lot of their corporate customers.

We insist on IE for our users of various SAP portals. You'd be surprised how many issues can come from a simple browser update. Thankfully, SAP keeps updates and fixes (Notes) pretty current. They are usually pretty good about "killing" support for outmoded technology pretty evenhandedly as well. A new IE version is not something I fear, nor is it something that I particularly look forward to either. Job security I guess, to put a good spin on it. I can't complain really as our internal DNS servers are still running on AIX 4.3.3.

BrianLachoreVPI said:

Only tangentially related but I'd like to see Safari updated again soon...

Click to expand...

this!!! I cant use Safari anymore it takes too long to start and it keeps of crashing like crazy so....I had to move to Chrome

louishen said:

Don't worry enterprise users

"Microsoft will also offer IE8 and IE9 Automatic Update Blocker toolkits which will allow enterprise admins to make the leap on their own schedule."

Click to expand...

I manage a group at my company that maintains about 1500 Windows servers, 10,000 Windows XP systems and 3,000 Windows 7 systems. Automatic updates are disabled on each and every system. Any enterprise that doesn't disable Windows Update and utilize a patch management system is just looking for trouble.

For the enterprise, if things are managed correctly, an update blocker toolkit just isn't necessary.

IE is always the first to go with my Windows installs. Thanks to van now im kind of addicted to Opera...

I read in a news article that Google Chrome is the safest we browser to use. Safer then Firefox which is #3, and IE which is #2. They did not mention Safari, so I am not sure. But I never use IE. There are too many pop ups, and toolbars, and junk I don't care about. And I don't have time to even take them off, because I am happy with Chrome.