Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Development
    • Development

    Microsoft Urges Developers to Prepare for IE 7

    By
    Elizabeth Millard
    -
    July 15, 2005
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      As Microsoft inches closer to the first beta release of Internet Explorer 7, the companys development advisors have been advising Web site developers and managers to run certain tests now to prevent problems when the beta version does appear.

      Although Microsoft Corp. is not releasing a specific date for the beta version, the company has stated that the browser will appear this summer, and that developers should be getting ready.

      At this point, Microsoft has given limited information on what will be included in the initial beta test, beyond stating that it will include features such as tabs and “developer platform advancements.”

      Developers can expect that much more information will be forthcoming shortly on the companys technical resource site, however, said Gary Schare, director of Microsofts Internet Platforms and Security Product Management.

      “Follow the IE Blog to gain general technical insights about IE 7 directly from the development team,” Schare added. “Stay tuned in the coming months as we announce more details.”

      One area that Microsoft has clearly articulated as being one in which developers can start work now to prepare for IE 7 involves the UA (user agent) string.

      First discussed in the companys Weblog in April, the code change prompted a reminder on Wednesday to developers, telling them that Microsoft continues to run across Web sites that are not expecting Version 7 of the browser, and urging them to test their UA strings.

      The UA is sent in the headers of every HTTP request, telling the server what type of browser is issuing the request. Microsoft updated the UA after considering application compatibility issues.

      /zimages/4/28571.gifClick here to read about phishing defenses in the upcoming Internet Explorer Version 7.

      “Developers should ensure that their sites are ready for the IE 7 user agent string and treat IE 7 just like they would IE 6,” Schare said. He did not comment on what would happen if changes were not made, but said it is likely that testing issues will be discussed again on the development blog.

      /zimages/4/28571.gifRead details here about “lower rights” security planned for IE 7.

      /zimages/4/109532.gif

      Despite Microsofts reminders, some developers have chosen to simply wait until the beta version arrives to do testing and make changes.

      “I dont use IE at all, but Ill test on it because I have to,” said Web designer Donna Donohue, owner of Norwich, Conn.-based development firm KidoImages. “We code to standards to be compliant with Firefox, and then hack for IE.”

      Web developer Steve Champeon admitted that waiting for beta testing is not always the best approach, but it is a common strategy nonetheless.

      “There are undoubtedly many Web sites that are so poorly built or tested that IE7 will break them,” he said, “So its not entirely dumb to make a fuss about IE7s impending release.”

      However, Champeon added that he builds sites from the ground up to work in any Web browser, by following the set of principles known as “progressive enhancement.” Because of this approach, he doesnt utilize UA string detection.

      “Were not going to waste our time specifically addressing any one browser when we can address them all instead, using faster development techniques that dont favor one platform or browser over all the others,” Champeon said.

      /zimages/4/28571.gifCheck out eWEEK.coms for the latest news, reviews and analysis in programming environments and developer tools.

      Elizabeth Millard

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Big Data and Analytics

      Alteryx’s Suresh Vittal on the Democratization of...

      James Maguire - May 31, 2022 0
      I spoke with Suresh Vittal, Chief Product Officer at Alteryx, about the industry mega-shift toward making data analytics tools accessible to a company’s complete...
      Read more
      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      Applications

      Cisco’s Thimaya Subaiya on Customer Experience in...

      James Maguire - May 10, 2022 0
      I spoke with Thimaya Subaiya, SVP and GM of Global Customer Experience at Cisco, about the factors that create good customer experience – and...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Yotascale CEO Asim Razzaq on Controlling Multicloud...

      James Maguire - May 5, 2022 0
      Asim Razzaq, CEO of Yotascale, provides guidance on understanding—and containing—the complex cost structure of multicloud computing. Among the topics we covered:  As you survey the...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×