Enterprise Software

Internet Explorer 9: A first look at the beta

By // September 16, 2010, 4:15 AM PST // markwkaelin

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  • Available for download

    The beta version of Internet Explorer 9 is now available for download. In this Photo Gallery, TechRepublic takes a first look at Microsoft's latest Web browser.

    Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

  • A beautiful Web

    Microsoft is couching this version of IE as a way to a more beautiful Web. My surfing habits tend toward more efficient browsing rather than more graphic intensive browsing, so I am a little ambivalent about these claims.

    Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

  • Begin installation

    Installation was very easy - run the install and wait about 5 minutes.

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  • Restart the PC

    When the installation is complete, restart to complete the process.

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  • Remember IE8

    Just for comparison purposes, here is what my workstation install of Internet Explorer 8 looks like. Note the toolbars.

    Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

  • Add-ons

    The first thing I saw when I started Internet Explorer 9 was a warning about my add-ons. I didn't realize I had add-ons.

    Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

  • First loaded page

    My Yahoo looks to be about the same except for the missing ad. I don't know why this ad is missing, but, as you'll see later, it does not appear to be Internet Explorer's fault.

    Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

  • TechRepublic

    The initial look at TechRepublic's page. Missing the ad here too - I was having some strange connection problems.

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  • Favorites button

    While the button for favorites has moved, what it does is very similar to IE8.

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  • Minimalistic design

    IE 9, at least until I load them, has no toolbar anymore.

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  • Menu

    Press the ALT key to expose the menu bar.

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  • Tools button - Print

    The tools button on the right side contains the usual controls. In this case, you have your basic print options.

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  • Tools - file

    The file section of the tools button has some the primary file controls on it. Notice the Add to Start Menu item. Microsoft has given IE 9 capabilities that treat Web sites like an application from the perspective of the start menu and taskbar.

    Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

  • Tools - zoom

    You can zoom in and out as needed.

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  • Tools - safety

    There are more privacy options in IE 9 - an area that we will explore more closely in the future.

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  • View downloads

    Internet Explorer 9 will not track your downloads for you.

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  • Manage Add-ons

    And IE 9 will manage your add-ons too. Looking at the list, I guess I did have a few add-ons after all.

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  • Development tools

    IE 9 has added some developer tools.

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  • Internet options

    The internet options control applet is very similar to the one in IE 8.

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  • GPU acceleration

    However, there is one difference that Microsoft is emphasizing - GPU acceleration. Unfortunately, my test machine is a netbook with an integrated graphics chip that does not meet the requirements.

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  • Send an issue report

    Being a beta version, Microsoft would like you to provide them with feedback. But you'll need a Windows Live ID.

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  • Menu - file

    The file section off the menu is more extensive than the file section we saw off of the tools button. I changed my Internet connection so now I get the lovely ad I was missing.

    Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

  • Menu - tools

    The tools selection off of the menu is also extensive. IE 9 can revert to a compatibility mode if need be.

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  • Scientific American

    Scientific American has one of the Web sites Microsoft is citing as an example of what you can do with Internet Explorer 9.

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  • Brain Power

    The Brain Power demo is snazzy - the banner in the image is scrolling around the brain.

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  • Famous brains

    Click the Famous Brains section and you can choose a famous brain and drag and drop it into the section below.

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  • Fancy interface

    When you run the mashup you get this swirling display. Now, this is where my efficiency sensibilities come into play. While the display is pretty to look at, I am not convinced this is a better experience. For example, if I want to click a specific image, I have to chase it around the screen as it swirls - why?

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  • IMDb Panorama

    The IMDb example is a little more practical - I like the higher resolution images and the flow of the images across the screen.

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  • Play a movie trailer

    The movie trailer looks good.

    Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

  • Pin to taskbar

    You can drag and drop Web pages from your browser window onto the taskbar to pin them there. I do like that idea - instead of opening a browser then navigating to a particular Web site, you can pin a site to the taskbar and get there in one click.

    Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

Available for download

The beta version of Internet Explorer 9 is now available for download. In this Photo Gallery, TechRepublic takes a first look at Microsoft's latest Web browser.

Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

Related Topics:

Enterprise Software CXO Microsoft Google Open Source Software Tech Industry

By Mark Kaelin

Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the IT industry, gadgets, finance, accounting, and tech-life for more than 25 years. Most recently, he has been a regular contributor to BreakingModern.com, aNewDomain.net, and TechRepublic.