by Ron Grattopp….you may have already heard some good things about Microsoft’s next generation browser, but, in case you haven’t let me highlight some of the new features than you should know about in IE9. And check at the end of this post for links to the download and more info.
The IE9 beta was released on 9-15-2010. It’s being touted as more than an incremental update to IE8, and not just by Microsoft (IE9 Will Change the Web Forever and Microsoft's Internet Explorer 9 a huge step forward). Note that IE9 is now one of the most standards-compliant browsers to date. And it’s new hardware acceleration should really make it the browser of choice for all those cloud apps you’re using.
Here’s a rundown on some of the key new improvements in IE9 (pics from IE9 home page):
Hardware Acceleration -
Internet Explorer 9 employs your computer’s graphics processor to render Web pages. What this means is that your CPU doesn’t work as hard and this baby is FAST.
Minimal Interface/Compact UI
IE9 is now one of the cleanest browser UIs out there. Among other things, the address bar and tabs bar have been combined to save vertical space. However, you can restore the old stuff with a simple right click.
Windows 7 Integration (pinned sites)
Among other things, you can now pin websites to the taskbar as shortcuts the same way you typically would with a program, making it easy to access your favorite sites with one click, whether you have a browser open or not.
Search in Address bar search
Integrated and saves screen space.
Add-on Performance advisor
The new performance manager shows you exactly how long each new addition tacks onto your browser load time and navigation time.
Enhanced tabs
New “tear-off” tabs allow you to drag a tab out of IE and open that tab's webpage in a new window, and you can also Snap it for side-by-side viewing.
New tab page
The “new tab” page in IE9 automatically arranges the sites you most frequently visit, and color codes them with bars that indicate how much time you spend on them.
For more info check the IE9 beta testdrive site where you can see demos of the new capabilities in IE9. Also, here’s a link to the Windows Team Blog. And the IE Engineering Blog and Internet Explorer Tech Center
Works great so far.
A hint for those of you that use OneNote (you do right? IF not check out what it can do for you!)
When you install IE9, the Favorites bar and the IE8 Command Bar are not there. The command bar is replaced by icons under the 'Close/minimize/maximize' buttons.
In the IE8 style command bar, there is a 'Send to OneNote' button, that is extremely helpfull.
If you want the button but can't wait until it is added to the new command bar (MS thats a suggestion), just click on the tab bar, and select 'Command Bar', and if you are used to using the Favorites bar, it can be added in the same location.
If you like the no toolbar look, you can also 'Send to OneNote' by 'right-clicking' on a web page or a selection of a web page, and 'Send to OneNote' is near the bottom of the menu.
Enjoy
'Send to OneNote' by 'right-clicking' on a web page" didn't work for me.
The command is missing from the menu
Same here – Send to OneNote nowhere in sight!
It would be nice if we could place our most used tools on a visible toolbar for easily access. I have a great need to Send to OneNote on a daily basis and as such would prefer a 1-click solution to use it.
I have "Right-click-send-to-OneNote" and it works just fine!?
I am getting "<script src="ad.doubleclick.net/…/root;dcopt=ist;comp=;s1=root;s2=;pos=board1;ptype=channel;url=;m1=news;m2=breaking-news;m3=latest-news;m4=current-news;m5=world-news;segs=E05510_10390;segs=E05510_10347;segs=E05510_10422;qc=D;sid=undefined"
Where ads should be appearing.
on my system IE9 to onenote is working slightly differrently. If I right click on a web page and choose "send to onenote" no content is recieved by onenote however once I've added back in the command bar as suggested by David the icons for onenote are back and work properly.
This work around works for me but I sort of liked the extra room on the monitor and would perfer the "right click" method better.
I had a lot of problems viewing websites with IE9 beta, including training on the Partner Learning Center.