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Want to keep more than one website open at a time, but tired of managing multiple Internet Explorer windows? Tabbed browsing lets you have multiple pages open in a single Internet Explorer window. Let new pages load in the background while you continue reading your current page. Tabbed browsing will change the way you surf the Web. For more information, see Work with tabbed browsing [search.msn.com]
This has just been released, there should be more official press on it tomorrow. I was fortunate to beta the toolbar with tabbed browsing (being one of the MSN Search Champs) and it is a nice alternative for those who can't use anything but IE, like me. It is one of the Mozilla features I love, but I just could never completely switch from IE, being such a creature of habit ;)
It works fine with the Google and Yahoo toolbars as well, for those toolbar-holics out there.
Tired of typing address and credit card information over and over? With automatic form fill, simply enter your information once, and the Toolbar will fill out all those forms for you. It's easy, and it's safe.
Now if they could only add mouse-gestures, an RSS reader, something equivalent to the Web Developer Extension, and basic security, MS might have a good browser! ;)
Jenstar: if you like IE, try Avant Browser. It runs on IE engine and has all IE features + tabs + much more.
SlimBrowser is another one that I used to use when I used IE and it was pretty good (tabbed browsing, etc).
It sounds interesting, a toolbar that provides tabbed browsing?
What is interesting is that, M$ is too lame to make a browser with such feature, so instead they make a toolbar.
this is just a bandaid until they can finally catch up with the rest of the features of opera/firefox/etc
* One: From their promo about the auto form fill feature (bold highlights by me):
With automatic form fill, simply enter your information once, and the Toolbar will fill out all those forms for you. It's easy, and it's safe. Your personal information is stored on your PC rather than on the Web, and it's protected with a password.
MSFT is stating that it is safe because the info is on your Windows machine protected by a password. The casual user will be convinced - I mean MSFT said so right? I am not. Are you?
And MSFT is so convinced it is "safe" that following the tiny Legal link (and everyone will, right?) at the bottom of the page leads to the usual disclaimer:
7. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTYMicrosoft and any third party who makes its software available with the MSN Software disclaim any responsibility for any harm resulting from your use of the MSN Software and/or any third party software accessed with or through the MSN Software. ...
Trumpet its safety for credit card and personal details but then quietly deny all responsibility in the accompanying legal bumpf. Yah right. If it's safe you take responsibility. If you can't take responsibility do not say it's safe.
* Two: And who will tell the children that they are excluded?:
You represent that you are at least 18 years old and have reached the age of majority in the province, state or country in which you live.
This is fine "legally" but in practice who is likely to be loading up with cool toolbars? And how many children do you know that read anything before downloading, installing, and playing? Or adults for that matter.
This should be in bold print right before the download button, not just in the legal bumpf.
I expect that the toolbar will work as claimed, MSFT products generally do. I also expect to read of security problems and stolen personal data within the year. But it won't be the responsibility of the software creator or its PR department because they said so in the legal bumpf.
I'm an Opera user for the most part so I'm totally addicted to tabs and it's really nice to see MS step up and finally get on board. I agree it has all the earmarks of a temporary fix for now. And I'd sure love to see a hotkey setup for poppin windows in the background but it's a great step in the right direction either way.
I was lucky enough to beta this toolbar along with Jenstar and based on the evolution I've seen with this toolbar and the glimpse of the future they gave us I'm atually interested in tracking the next IE browser for the first time ever - hehe.
I wonder how many people (who know) would trust this:Tired of typing address and credit card information over and over? With automatic form fill, simply enter your information once, and the Toolbar will fill out all those forms for you. It's easy, and it's safe.
Haha...
So far the tabbed browsing is a nice feature for IE and it's about dang time. One thing that should be added is to have ctrl+n open a new tab, not a new browser. I'm so used to hitting ctrl+n from using Avant for years. I'm also used to clicking on my scroll wheel on my mouse to open a new tab. With the MSN toolbar I have to right click then select something from the middle of the menu. Not very convenient, and I think I'll go back to Avant.
I'm looking forward to the next version of IE but am little worried about how many more things they will implement to spy on me :)
So far we've seen; the new search engine, a big money advertising campaign, new PPC programme (beta), desktop search and now tabbed browsing with a MSN search box, when they integrate search into the new operating system it may signal the submit of a dramatic rise and the loosening of Google's grip on the lions share of the search marketplace.
blimey!
Who needs those little spy bars?
Also, if I've learned anything in 25 years of computing the more bandaids you pile on eventually something breaks and figuring out which bandaid broke the camels back and then successfully uninstalling it out of a chain of upgrades can make replacing the computer an easier solution.
Things at MSN are looking up!
Jenstar: if you like IE, try Avant Browser. It runs on IE engine and has all IE features + tabs + much more.SlimBrowser is another one that I used to use when I used IE and it was pretty good (tabbed browsing, etc).
maxthon is also a choice.
Jenstar: if you like IE, try Avant Browser. It runs on IE engine and has all IE features + tabs + much more.
I'm using Avant too. Been using it for approx 4 months now. Can't imagine myself without it. A real great alternative to IE, while still using the IE engine.
ExpressBrowser is another good option BTW, I was using it before Avant took over on my system. Avant is now my default browser.
Some who are wary of downloading and installing a whole browser "just for tabs" may well come to like tabs with the msn toolbar, and come to think, "these tabs are actually pretty useful - maybe we'll check out that browser anyways."
I've tried it out - I also experienced the "flickers" problem, but I guess that's just because it kind of closes the existing window and then almost opens a new one to simulate the tab browsing. I also agree it could do with much more functionality, but I guess that's limitted by the fact that it is just a toolbar.
Not a bad attempt for a botch! Looking forward to seeing the new IE7, but I'm definitely in the Avant / Firefox camp still! :-D
Cheers,
Jamie.
Stumbled across this discussion just because I was intrigued about the whole idea of tabs in IE, but I'm scrapping that idea now - as soon as I get home I'm getting some of that Avant magic for myself!
Thanks guys!
J
Want to keep more than one website open at a time, but tired of managing multiple Internet Explorer windows?
I know I'm not the only person who quietly raised his eyebrow and mentally finished that line with "then download Firefox/Mozilla/Netscape/Opera".
Wow Microsoft, just five years and you've got what every other browser had in 2000. Maybe now you can try and work out what this new-fangled CSS thing is? ;-)
