IE 7 layout becomes fixed

[metadigital]

Internet Explorer 7 has been given the green light as far as rendering behaviour is concerned and the latest version unveiled at the MIX06 conference will remain the standard, aside from bug fixes and security updates, until launch.

 

Markus Mielke on the IE7 development team wrote in the team blog that 'we don't plan to add more layout features or drastically change layout behaviour'.

 

This means that certain features won't make it into the first release of IE7: CSS display tables and generated content are mentioned.

 

CSS expert Eric Meyer wrote in response that this is the point from which web developers will be expected to test and tweak websites to get them working with the new version of IE: 'We have a calm period of at least three months in which to find out how things stand before IE7 goes final.'

 

IE7 is due to go to a final release in the second half of the year, following a preliminary Vista Beta2 release for the browser.

 

Mielke added that the IE is working on 'a public bug database where you can submit your issues, track their progress and see when we internally fix an issue' - a feature not unlike Mozilla's Bugzilla, used to channel bugs found in its products.

 

Meyer claims that despite the clear indications that Microsoft has been paying close attention to the success of Firefox for IE7, this should not be viewed negatively. 'The IE team has looked over what happened while they were in hibernation and is emulating the best of it. That's not lame, that's smart. And it should have other browser makers a little bit worried. A lot of their success has been due to Microsoft's complacency. They're going to have to be a lot sharper and more nimble now that the 800 pound gorilla is actually awake and paying attention to its surroundings.'

Matt Whipp

[Judge Hades]

So, they are going to actively steal ideas and be open about it.

[Shadowstrider]

I love how when a big company uses an idea from a small company it is stealing, but when a small company uses an idea from a big company it is alright.

[Rosbjerg]

it's called sticking it to "the man" .. Christianity taught it to us..

[metadigital]

As long as they adhere to the standards, rather than make their own up (which they, and the others, usually do), then I don't see that as "stealing", more "subscribing to the standard" ...

[Judge Hades]

Big companies have the resources to be original while smaller companies do not.

[Surreptishus]

There wasn't a need to innovate until recently - ahh the benefits of monopolies... for the producer

Edited April 11, 2006 by Surreptishus

[Dark_Raven]

In a word yes.