Skip Links

Network World

  • Social Web 
  • Email 
  • Close

Explorer still chasing the Firefox

Test of new browsers shows IE 7 has beefed up security but trails Firefox 2.0 in features and Web development compliance.
By Thomas A. Powell, Network World Lab Alliance , Network World , 10/26/2006

Five years in the making, Internet Explorer 7 has a distinctive new look and an improved security posture, but our initial test shows that the Microsoft browser still nips at the heels of Firefox’s feature set and its Web development standards support.

We tested gold code for Internet Explorer 7 released on Oct. 18 against a very late beta (RC 3) of Mozilla’s Firefox 2 — the final code  was released on Oct. 24 after our initial testing wrapped up.  Testing was performed in a lab environment and in the day-to-day production efforts of a 42-person Web development agency on a variety of systems ranging from Toshiba Protege laptops to Dell Precision 390 Workstations. 


Archive of Network World tests
Subscribe to the Network Product Test Results newsletter

We focused on the browsers’ user interface changes, feature set and compliance with Web development standards that will directly affect how Web content is viewed within each browser. We held off on deep performance testing, because we wanted to make a more accurate assessment over a longer test run. We plan to publish those numbers in late November.

IE 7’s interface changes are pretty dramatic when compared to the overall UI polishing presented in Firefox 2. The common navigation button collection found in nearly any Web browser has been minimized in IE 7 to a Spartan row focusing on large back and forward buttons, an ample address bar and search box and two small icons providing page stop and reload.

While the UI upgrades for Firefox 2 are not as extensive as those made in IE 7, it does offer some new features like improved privacy options for its users, a built-in spellchecker, and features that help users navigate recently closed and saved tabs.



Spell checker
 
Click to see: UI upgrades for Firefox 2

Partner Content
CA logo

CA Network & Voice Resource Center

Comprehensive Network & Voice Management Visit CA Network & Voice Management Resource Center and get insights into industry best practices, information that helps you to address your challenges.

CA Network & Voice Management Resource Center

whitepaper

Managing Voice Over IP for Successful Convergence

Voice over IP (VoIP) has much to offer in cost savings but some customers have concerns about VoIP call quality compared to the quality of traditional voice services. This white paper will help you learn how to take the right steps so that voice quality is assured.

Managing VoIP for Successful Convergence

whitepaper

The Changing Face of Network Management

Managing your network is serious business. This paper discusses the benefits of integrating configuration change-awareness into your network fault management solution

Download Whitepaper

Comment
Login
Forgot your account info?
Add comment
Anonymous comments subject to moderator approval. Register here for member benefits.
Have a NetworkWorld account? Log in here. Register now for a free account.

Videos

rssRss Feed
Save The Date!
What They Are Saying

There is no way their store and forward switches (or s2410 - fulcrum trash) can deliver that performance....- Anonymous

Join the Discussion