Explorer-7

Bill Gates has announced Internet Explorer-7, designed to add new levels of security and power to Windows XP and Service Pack-2 while maintaining good levels of extensibility and compatibility Microsoft® customers have come to expect. Internet Explorer 7.0 will also provide even stronger defenses against phishing, malicious software and spyware. Explore 7 is now in Beta Testing and ready soon.

This announcement is embedded in a press release that emphasizes Microsoft's dedication to more security after the many holes found in its browsing software versions IE-5 and IE-6 during the past few years. Therefore this Explorer release should be seen only in the light of security concerns, and not of standards compatibility. Good enough, no one will object to more enhanced security.

Nonetheless what web developers are hoping for is enhanced CSS and JavaScript support. That doesn't seem to be the purpose of the new Explorer-7, and neither Microsoft's press release nor the subsequent IE Blog entries say much about this subject.

After IE-7 expect to see IE-8 (and some years later Explorer-9) arrive on the internet-browser scene. Internet-Explorer 8 is expected to have even more power and internet-security features than prior versions and Explorer-7. In particular, it's expected to deal even better with spyware and virus abuse issues, fast becoming a big problem and security concern for computer users worldwide.

Geared up with a website and lots of ideas to make a impression online? Read the following tips, you'll be glad you did. If you don't already know about the following tips, this is something you should know!

1. Maintain an easy to follow Navigational system throughout your site.

2. Do not use frames unless it's really important. Visitors dislike intensely getting stuck in frames and Search Engines find it difficult to index websites with frames.

3. Avoid using scroll-bars horizontally. There is nothing more annoying than having to scroll both vertically and horizontally at all screen lengths.

4. A full Flash Website may look very appealing, but that's the last thing your visitors are going to wait for to load. Instead try embedding Flash on your pages to get the same look.

5. To minimize download time, use tables with different background colors to add life to your pages, instead of using too many graphics.

6. Do not cluster too many animated buttons and banners throughout your site. Your web-visitors will not be able to browse comfortably with all that blinking going on and will surf elsewhere.

7. Keep updating your website with fresh content. People will not return if they find the same old stuff lying there.

8. Put up a message board, feedback form, guest book etc. to add a touch of interactivity to your website.

9. Make it a point to return the visits and/or answer all e-mails/messages within a reasonable period of time.

10. Provide links to other websites, even your competitors, if possible. This shows you are not egotistical and are willing to help your visitors find what they need. This little action goes a long way to earn you goodwill.