A More Beautiful Web – IE9 Beta Gets 6 Million Downloads

[JMH]

A More Beautiful Web – IE9 Beta Gets 6 Million Downloads

Internet Explorer 9 Beta was launched a little over two weeks ago, on September 15, and in the first two days from launch it had an amazing success, by being downloaded 2 million times.

The customers and partners of the newly released browser looked pretty pleased with the product, but the best way to measure success is to simply take a look at the figures and Microsoft estimated the success of IE9, thanks to the users that have chosen the newest company products.

Several data are available and you can have a good idea of the overall impact of the IE9:

A report from Net Applications’ browser usage share was released today and it shows IE9 Beta usage share at 0.25% for the two weeks after launch.

The blogs crazy for technology also saw an increase in the IE9 activity: LiveSide reported that 25% of their readers used IE9 Beta, at DownloadSquad IE6 users were surpassed by IE9 users , and 47% of people intend to try IE9 Beta, according to Network World reported poll results.

More -
A More Beautiful Web – IE9 Beta Gets 6 Million Downloads - Softpedia

 

[quochunguit]

Internet Explorer 9 = Simple, fast, beautiful...

 

[Night Hawk]

Not everyone would agree on that be advised. Some have had their grievances with the beta release.

So far I've been bouncing back and forth between IE 8 and the IE 9 beta to make some comparisons. As somewhat expected I'm not seeing the usual prompts to update all the addons like Adobe, Java, and others. It's been running smoothly other then that however not seeing any unusual slowdowns or errors so far.

As for the numbers that can easily be explained by one word alone. "Curiosity"! Everyone wants to see what will be different about the upcoming version of IE now available in beta form. That certainly would include the support for HTLM5 and utilizing hardware over software rendering.

 

[brummyfan]

I am using Chrome now after trying the IE9 beta for the past two weeks. Chrome's speed cannot be matched by IE9 at the moment and hope IE team will iron out all those bugs when they release the final version.
We may have to wait and see how the IE team will respond to customers' views.

 

[Night Hawk]

From what I've seen with any beta release going back to IE 7 is that the beta will tend to be problematic at times as well as not near as responsive as a finished version when first compared.

For once however the beta for IE 9 didn't crash when installed as had been seen for the older XP versions of IE7 and IE 8 beta for Vista and XP when previously dual booting with the two older versions there.

In fact the IE 7 beta was the problem seeing a repair install of XP when first tried back in 2006. The beta for IE 8 went better afterwards on those two both XP and Vista showing an improvement in that area. I suspect the finished IE 9 however will be noticable when you go to make the comparison at that time. Be patient!

 

[Lebon14]

6 millions downloads?

I'm not included.

 

[Gornot]

The only thing I've always disliked when using IE is not having a spell checker, but having to download it manually. Furthermore ieSpell doesn't always work in IE9. I really do have hopes for a spell checker in the final version.

Other than that, 6 mil downloads is impressive, it says a lot about the popularity of IE overall. Not everything is "people don't know how/don't want to bother downloading a different browser hence the marketshare if IE"

 

[Night Hawk]

It's not always the fans or marketshare but with the EU decision for IE 8 people no longer seeing IE included but only an option plus the new hardware rendering that is drawing the crowds. Since 7 is a success people want whatever can be found for it as well.

It would however be a great plus to have spell checking built-in or at least a regular option available besides only ieSpell. There is one called IE7Pro Spell Check which according to some was compatible with the IE 8 beta at the time. The page for that is at IE7Pro Spell Check - Free Spell Checker addons for Internet Explorer

UPDATE: When giving that a run on IE 8 for a start a new IE window would open instead of moving from one page to another when clicking on any item on the Favorites bar. It ended being removed fast ruling this one out.

 

[darkfriday]

I didn't see anything special. FF 3.6.10 is my browser for now.

 

[Night Hawk]

Typically you won't see everything right from the start with any beta. Beta is still beta in that sense not the finished version. The new version of IE is still in development seeing all the last minute changes before the final release comes out.

 

[Dick Jagger]

I didn't see anything special. FF 3.6.10 is my browser for now.

^ that.

 

[Night Hawk]

If you are looking for flashy "bells and whistles" you wouldn't find any at first. You never have with any beta.

Most of the new stuff won't be any new eye catching theme but development under the hood! That's where the emphasis has been in regards to hardware over previous software rendering. And that's one main reason why there won't be any XP version since the old version lacks the support.

The changes are there while the options to get everything going is still too early. Other things still being worked on are most likely disabled from the start in this release being a beta. The rest will likely be seen later in the finished version.

 

[darkfriday]

If you are looking for flashy "bells and whistles" you wouldn't find any at first. You never have with any beta......

I wasn't looking for bells or the like. Too many reviews have talked about amazing speed and a whole new way to use a browser on the internet. Blah! Blah!! Blah!!!

I want my browser to be efficient and useful for my needs. Firefox does that and always has. I'm devoted to Microsoft for its OS but its internet offerings have never lived up to what they promise.

I don't need bells and whistles, I just expect a great product.


Thank you Microsoft for my OS. rb:

TY Firefox for my browser.

 

[Night Hawk]

Well from the start too many reviews are too many useless words being tossed at the wind! I never go by reviews but from actual application! Blog pages are full of "big claims" while not often seeing actual real world tests conducted on more then the writer's own pc and cannot be counted on.

Functionality is the thing looked at here as well as with any other beta. I leave the windows dressings part for the finished released while examing the functionality of the beta when the various options are available.

Often that isn't always the case however since it is beta. The idea of any beta release is mainly for feedback the developers collect from people trying it out in the real world environment not just in the test labs.

 

[darkfriday]

Well from the start too many reviews are too many useless words being tossed at the wind! I never go by reviews but from actual application! Blog pages are full of "big claims" while not often seeing actual real world tests conducted on more then the writer's own pc and cannot be counted on.

Functionality is the thing looked at here as well as with any other beta. I leave the windows dressings part for the finished released while examing the functionality of the beta when the various options are available.

Often that isn't always the case however since it is beta. The idea of any beta release is mainly for feedback the developers collect from people trying it out in the real world environment not just in the test labs.

Well said

 

[pwrhamr]

Been using it for a couple of weeks. I like it. I think this brings IE in line with the other current browsers. Only nit picking makes it different.

Recognising its in beta here are a couple of things I would like to see in the final realease.

1. I cant tell if a page is loading. Needs a graph showing where the page is at. Maybe have a green slider go across the tab as the page loads. Saves space and gives me info. I live in a poor connection area, so this is an issue.

2. Spell check, been mentioned.

3. A better translator. When it translates the page I would like to see the translated page. Not need to run my cursor across the word to see the translation. I go to FF when I need to translate.

4. Under the hood I have no idea. Thats beyond me.

 

[Night Hawk]

I know what you are saying about pages loading since that part is lacking at present. I didn't notice any translation option in this release.

But again this is still the beta without all the finishing touches yet to be seen on it. You still wouldn't mind having a few other things available however.

 

[pwrhamr]

It is the Bing translator. Liking the Bing, not the translator. Couldve been using ie8, thought it was ie9.


Another thing is put the favorites and other tools on the left hand side. I read from left to right. At least the option of placing it there as with the "Stop and Refresh" buttons.
There is a box when you open the Favorites "menu? board" that puts it on the left after youve opend it up, hit the star icon. Problem is it doesnt stay there.

 

[Night Hawk]

Once you open the Favorites which opens up at the right by default you click the small green move arrow to see them moved over to the left side. The green arrow then turns into the X to close option. When going to reopen them later they are back on the right again.

One IE 8 the add to Favorites and Favortes button are seen if you have the command bar showing. Apparently since that is still seen when opening the Favorites they eliminated the extra button for the new style.they will have for IE 9.

Plus in beta the Bing search box is presently lacking that you typically see in IE 8 there. You have to enter things on the address line for the time being it seems to run a search.

 

[pwrhamr]

Right. The green box is what I was attempting to articulate. It should be permanant/stay. Like the View change button(Lg, Sm,Tile, text, icon) when opening folders. If I have to open multiple fav's then I spend more time switching sides and reorientating than opening things.