Internet Explorer 8 - Warnings & Problems
With the release of Internet Explorer 8, many users have already asked the Service Center about upgrading from IE 7 to IE 8. This tip is to warn users that there are several issues with Internet Explorer 8, especially with Outlook Web Access (OWA.)
Internet Explorer 8
IE 8 was released last week and there are several issues that have been raised already. While Microsoft doesn't say it is "Beta" IE 8 has not been thoroughly tested by Microsoft and there are many issues. The UW Colleges and UW-Extension will not be going to IE 8 until Microsoft resolves the issues that exist in the current product. We strongly recommend that users DO NOT INSTALL IE 8 AT HOME. Here are some reasons why:
- This is the most important issue: IE 8 crashes when attempting to open OWA, which is what we are currently using. It occurs when attempting to display the Inbox. Also users have reported they were unable to forward mail, if in fact they could get into their Inbox.
- When images are present in an HTML formatted email there is a problem. In IE 7 we see this dialog box:
In IE 8 we see this dialog box:
They have changed the wording and our habit of clicking on Yes in IE 7 could create a problem in IE 8 as that would only deliver secure content, and the images will never show in IE 8 using OWA.
- XP users who upgrade to IE 8 and then don't like all the problems they might have, run into problems reverting back to IE 7. There are solutions to this problem, but honestly the upgrade to IE 8 is not recommended.
- Users often have difficulty reading pages that use CSS, HTML 4 and XTML, based on Internet standards for web designers, when they use IE 8.
- Currently IE 8 is the slowest of the browsers with Firefox proven to be 59 per cent faster than IE 8. Safari is also much faster.
The bottom line, literally and figuratively is DO NOT INSTALL IE 8 ON YOUR HOME or OFFICE COMPUTER!
Remember, if you have ideas for the Computing Tip of the Week, please send them to Pat Fellows or Karen Franker.
The new UW Colleges/UW Extension training web site is located at: http://www.uwex.uwc.edu/it/instruct-support/training.cfm . There users will find links to many useful Office 2007 training documents, videos, and web sites. We encourage you to check out this site first when you have questions about Office 2007.