One small step for web standards, one giant download for automatic update

31 October 2006 Microsoft Internet Explorer

Automatic Update screen-shot showing Internet Explorer 7.0 downloadInternet Explorer 7 has just offered to install itself on my machine helpfully already downloaded, all 14.8MB, by Windows Automatic Update.

One can assume that IE’s market share will shift from 6 to 7 practically overnight unless significant numbers reject the update or have switched Automatic Update off completely.

This shift should hopefully mean that web developers can finally start using more of the CSS and XHTML standards we’ve been experimenting with for the last few years whilst waiting for Microsoft to play catch-up.

Sure IE7 isn’t perfect but the improved PNG support is better than a kick in the teeth.

Even if you don’t like Firefox you can thank it’s increasing presence for putting the pressure on Microsoft enough to reassemble an IE team for another release.

Happy All Hallows Eve and goodbye October 2006,

[)amien

2 responses

  1. Avatar for Goldsacs

    I think a lot of people will stay with IE6 simply due to either being on dial up or having a dodgy version of XP (since WGA runs as part of this install).

    Goldsacs – 1 November 2006
  2. Avatar for Goldsacs

    Not that I think thats a good thing... just what I think might happen.
    I suppose this also means Microsoft should keep patching it so we dont end up with an internet full of zombie spamming PC's.
    I'm full of good cheer :-)

    Goldsacs – 1 November 2006