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Running head: HISTORY OF MICROSOFT INTERNET BROWSER History of Microsoft Internet Browser December 21, 2008 History of Microsoft Internet Browser Introduction Microsoft Internet Explorer is one of the most popular web browsers. It is a default web browser for the Microsoft Windows operating systems, preinstalled on all modern Windows systems. Internet Explorer supports such features like auto-dialing a dialup Internet connection, proxy server configuration, remote LAN administration, FTP client capabilities, to mention a few. Although it is criticized for various network security holes, Microsoft Explorer remains one of the most popular and secure Web browsers in the world. The present paper examines the history of Microsoft Internet Explorer and traces what caused its origin, examines every improvement made, release, names, and dates of all the versions from the original browser 1995: Internet Explorer 1. 0 to the upcoming beta version 8.
The History of Microsoft Internet Explorer Microsoft Internet Explorer traces its roots back to 1995; however, its genealogical roots are significantly older. When the World Wide Web was first invented, it was used mostly for research purposes by various scientific and research institutions along with universities to share information and important documents via Usenet, Gopher and FTP. However, soon the situation changed due to Tim Berners-Lee, the person, who is known for publishing his first formal proposal for the Internet as well as for creating and publishing the first Web page on August 6, 1991. In 1987 the scientists at the National Center for Super Computing Applications (NCSA) developed Mosaic, the first web browser that used a graphical user interface (GUI), licensed to Spyglass, Inc, an internet software company. This company, founded in 1990 in the University of Illinois, has played an important role in the future destiny of Microsoft Internet Explorer, as it was Spyglass Inc. that licensed the source code for Mosaic browser to Microsoft.
Spyglass Inc. has developed two versions of Mosaic both of which it delivered to Microsoft. The first version was based on the NSCA code, while the second one was completely different, a new version that was developed from scratch but was modeled on NSCA internet browser. Microsoft Internet Explorer was first developed on the basis of Spyglass source code. It should be also mentioned that both Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator have almost the same origin. The team of developers that designed and developed Netscape consisted of almost the same developers created Mosaic explorer.
Moreover, in 1994 Netscape Navigator was called Mosaic Netscape" explorer, until they were forced to change trade name. Internet Explorer 1. 0 Microsoft Internet Explorer 1. 0 was first released in August 1995 in two packages: via Windows 95 OEM release and in Microsoft Plus! add-on for Windows 95 (Internet Explorer History, 2003). It is important to note that in 1995 Microsoft was engaged in a project named Chicago.
OHare (called after OHare Airport in Chicago) was developed as an extension to this project. The developers in Microsoft wanted to combine all newest technologies into a reliable product. Chicago, which is now widely known as Windows 95 became one of the most popular and successful operating systems, and OHare (which is now known as Internet Explorer 1. 0) was delivered to the customers as a part of an Internet Jumpstart Kit in Microsoft Plus! For Microsoft Windows 95. Microsoft Internet Jumpstart Kit was later replaced by famous Internet Connection Wizard. Microsoft Internet Explorer 1. 0 was quite a simple application.
It was approximately 1 megabyte in size and, although it was quite fast, it provided Internet users with limited features (Internet Explorer (Windows) ). Microsoft Internet Explorer 1. 5 A newer version, Microsoft Internet Explorer 1. 5, was released soon after IE 1. 0 release (in few months). This version was developed for Windows NT and included basic HTML Table support; however, it didn't support such HTML extensions like BGSounds or Marguees (Internet Explorer History, 2003). Microsoft included it into Microsoft Windows package gratis, and didnt pay royalties to Spyglass. Spyglass Inc. issued a lawsuit that resulted in a multimillion USD settlement.
Microsoft Internet Explorer 2 Soon after that, in November 1995 Microsoft released its new version to beta, Microsoft Internet Explorer 2. 0 and then, in a month, IE 2 was released to final. In 1995 this version was released for Windows NT and Windows 95, and in April 1996 for Mac and Windows 3. 1. Internet Explorer 2 offered support for HTTP cookies, SSL (Secure Socket Layer) protocol, Internet newsgroups, RealAudio, support for Javascript and VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language). Internet Explorer 2. 0 was the first cross platform browser that introduced support for both Macintosh and 32 -bit Windows. IE 2. 0 was quite fast Web browser, although it did have many drawbacks (e. g. , it displayed posts in newsgroup threads according to the article number, instead of displaying thread conversations properly).
Microsoft Internet Explorer 2 supported twelve languages, however, by April 1996 the developers expanded languages to 24 for Windows 95, and 20 for Windows 3. 1. Internet Explorer 2. 0 i also supported double-byte character-set. So, basically, version 2. 0 Beta (released in October 1995) supported basic HTML tables and some other elements; version 2. 0 (final) that was released in November 1995, supported cookies, SSL, newsgroups and VRML, and version 2. 01 was a bug fix release. Internet Explorer 2 for Mac (Version 2. 0 Beta) that was released on January 23, 1996, was beta version for PPC only; version 2. 0 (released on April 23, 1996) supported both 68 k and PPC, and version 2. 1 (released in August 1996) contained major bug fixes and NPAPI (Netscape Plugin Application Programming Interface) support (Internet Explorer History, 2003). Microsoft Internet Explorer 2 had much in common with Netscape Navigator and the user was able to import bookmarks from Netscape Navigator to Microsoft Internet Explorer. Soon enough, in May 1996, FTP Software provided Microsoft with technologies for IE 2. 0 for Windows 3. 1, such as 16 -bit email client, PPP network and some others.
Microsoft Internet Explorer 3 Microsoft Internet Explorer 3 was released on August 13, 1996 for Microsoft Windows. IE 3 for Mac was released on January 8, 1997. This version was included with Windows 95 OSR 2 and became the first graphical Web browser that supported CSS. In addition to this, Microsoft Internet Explorer 3 supported ActiveX controls, Active Movie, HTML Layout Control, inline multimedia, Java applets (IE 3. 0 also had Microsoft Java Virtual Machine that was included in all subsequent versions of Internet Explorer until IE 5. 5), the Platform for Internet Content Selection (PICS) system for content metadata and some other optional features (Internet Explorer History, 2003). Microsoft Internet Explorer 3 came together with NetMeeting (a multi-point videoconferencing client and VoIP using H. 323 protocol), Internet Mail and News 1. 0 (later, in Internet Explorer 4. 0 it was called Outlook Express 4. 0), and early version of the Windows Address Book (A computer application with its own local database and user interface.
In this application, the user was allowed to keep a list of contacts that could be shared by various windows programs. Windows Address Book also queried LDAP servers and was allowed to read / write data to a. wab file). Internet Explorer 3. 0 also was launched with Microsoft Comic Chat a text chatting application that allowed the user to use cartoon small avatars and displayed text and emotions. In the next version, Internet Explorer 4. 0 the major bugs were fixed, the program was updated and was renamed Microsoft Chat 2. 0.
Also, IE 3. 0 came with Real Player a streaming media player developed by Progressive Networks. IE 3 was included with Windows 95 OSR 2. Internet Explorer 3 was cleaner and visually looked better than its previous versions. Internet Explorer 3 also introduced the famous Blue E. It was able to play streaming audio, MIDI sound files, and to display jpg and gif files, enabling Internet users to develop media rich web sites. There were few security threats in Internet Explorer 3.
The Princeton Word Macro Virus Loophole (discovered on August 22, 1996) was one of the most famous holes. It allowed to download files to the other user's computer through a backdoor. The problem was fixed very fast (Microsoft developer's team has managed to patch this vulnerability already the next day after it was discovered), yet, there were some other vulnerabilities and security threats, such as the ability to spoof an Internet site, that resulted in heated debates and concerns over IE security. Microsoft Internet Explorer 4 Although all previous versions do deserve attention, it should be still mentioned that the Internet really came to life with the new Microsoft Internet Explorer 4 release in September 1997 (Schnoll, 1998 - 2001). Microsoft included it with new operating system Windows 95 with a by-line The web the way you want it. This version of Web browser took part in a famous war of browsers.
Internet Explorer 4. 0 beta was released in April 1997; its final release took place in September 1997. IE 4. 0 supported Windows 3. 1, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT 3. x, and Windows NT 4. 0. Along with older features, it included new improvements and new features, such as Frontpage Express 2. 0 (a version of Microsoft Frontpage that was available for free and the users could download it from Microsoft Support Website), Active Desktop (Windows Desktop Update), Channels, Web Publishing Wizard, Nets how, Microsoft Chat 2. 0, Outlook Express 4, and many others (Schnoll, 1998 - 2001).
In addition to this, Internet Explorer 4. 0 came with Trident (MSHTML) a layout engine that was designed by developers as a software component that allowed software developers to add web browsing function to their applications. IE 4. 0 also had a number of plugins users could enable or disable at their discretion (for example, a Browser Helper Object (BHO) a DLL module that allowed added functionality) (Internet Explorer History, 2003). Active Desktop allowed users to set. gif files, internet pages and other web content as desktop wallpapers.
This version also supported DHTML and allowed web designers to enjoy better control over appearance and style of their web pages, and user interaction also undergone improvements due to clickable navigation menus and other useful features. In such a way, it can be said that Internet Explorer 4. 0, with its new features and improvements, became a so-called quantum leap in the Internet technologies. Microsoft Internet Explorer 5. 0 Microsoft Internet Explorer 5. 0 came with Windows 98 SE. It was released in March 1999 mostly for Microsoft, however, there were versions for Sun Solaris, Apple Macintosh and HP-UX. IE 5 Developer Preview was released in June 1998 (IE 5. 0 B 1), then Microsoft released a Public Preview in November 1998 (version 5. 0 B 2); and finally, in March 1999 Microsoft released the final version IE 5. 0.
While developing Internet Explorer 5. 0, Microsoft has focused on high performance and stability. The vast majority of new improvements fixed bugs available in older version, however, one of the most important improvements offered the end user a bi-directional text support. This feature was extremely useful for the users, whose native language was written inverse (like Jewish, right to left). Internet Explorer 5. 0 also supported Ruby Text (this feature enables users, who read Asian text, to understand the correct pronunciation of the words in the sentence). The famous Blue E was replaced by a new Microsoft Windows logotype. In this version a Radio Toolbar first appeared.
Also, IE 5. 0 included extended support for CSS and first introduced support for XML and SXL. All these advancements enabled Microsoft Internet Explorer to display modern media rich websites properly. In addition to new enhancements, IE 5. 0 was the first version of internet browser that offered users a compatibility mode. Web designers and developers were now able to run previous version (IE 4) and the new one (IE 5) simultaneously, with no need for dual booting or installing it on multiple computers. Although this new feature was used mostly for testing purposes, it was still quite useful for average internet users. Microsoft Internet Explorer 5. 5 Internet Explorer 5. 0 was followed by the newer version, IE 5. 5 that first came with Microsoft Windows Millennium operating system.
The major improvements in this version were related to rendering, CSS support and Web developer features. Also, Internet Explorer 5. 5 was the first version of Web browser with standard 128 bit encryption strength but the last Microsoft explorer version that supported Compatibility Mode. In summary, Microsoft Internet Explorer 5. 0 and 5. 5 had the following features: Web Archive (MHTML), History Explorer Bar (with new options for search and sort), Favorites (also enabling user to save favorite web page offline), Language Encoding options, Search Explorer Bar with new options for searching, Windows Radio Bar Toolbar, AutoComplete Feature, Internet Explorer Repair Tool, Approved Sites, ability to set a default HTML Editor, integration with Hotmail, to mention a few. Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 was introduced to public as a part of Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. During 2002 - 2003 it was the most popular internet browser version, and slowly declined up to 2007 - 200, when the new version IE 7 was released. This version can be installed on all previous systems, except for Microsoft Windows 95 operating system.
Internet Explorer 6. 0 was released on August 27, 2001. IE 6. 0 presented some new features and enhancements; however, it was mostly focused on better privacy and security. Some new and enhanced features included content restricted inline frames, and DHTML enhancements. IE 6. 0 also partially supported CSS level 1, DOM level 1 and SMIL 2. 0. Internet Explorer 6 also included Auto Image Resize, Images Toolbar, Print Preview, Media Bar and some other fun user features.
In Windows XP Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 6 comes with an Information Bar, a pop-up blocker, new Add-On Manager, an improved file download dialogue and some behind-the-scenes enhancements like the Local Machine Zone lockdown and others. Among other features, Internet Explorer 6. 0 also supports P 3 P (Platform for Privacy Preferences), a special technology developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W 3 C). Yet, despite Microsoft's focus on security, as of May 2006, there were 104 vulnerabilities (18 remain unpatched) in IE 6 compared with 34 security vulnerabilities (3 remain unpatched) found in Mozilla Firefox. In result, many security experts recommended to stop using IE 6 and to select another, more secure Web browser, instead.
In its turn, Microsoft developers decided to improve their browser and soon released a new version, IE 7. Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 Microsoft announced its Internet Explorer 7 to be a new quantum leap in the Internet technologies. Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 was released in October 2006. It came as a default Internet browser in Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 (Try out Latest in Internet Explorer, 2006). This new version was completely redesigned, with a tabbed browsing, RSS (Really Simple Syndication) support, shrink to fit feature for printing, better protection against hacking and phishing, and other new changes.
Tabbed browsing allows users to view various web sites in a single browser windows and to switch from one website to another using the tabs at the top of IE 7 frame. With Quick Tabs the users can easily navigate through open tabs that are displayed as small thumbnails in a single browser window (Internet Explorer 7, 2008). Tab Groups feature allows the user to group and save tabs into logical categories and to open them with a single click. A completely redesigned IE streamlined interface maximizes the working area of a screen displaying internet page.
Advanced printing feature allows the user to scale an internet page for printing (shrink to fit). It also includes customizable page layouts, adjustable margins, option print selected text, removable headers and footers, and some other features. Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 is the next version, which is currently not released to public. The first, beta version (Beta 1) targeted for was released on March 5, 2008. Beta 2 that was targeted for all consumers, was released by Microsoft team on August 27, 2008. The public release of Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 is expected to be released in the first quarter of 2009.
In this version, Microsoft is focused on ease of use, security, privacy, and improvements in Cascading Style Sheets, RSS and Ajax support. The new features and changes include Search Suggestions, Accelerators, Suggested Sites, In Private, Caret Browsing, Tab Color Grouping, Automatic Crash Recovery, User Preference Protection, Web Slices, Smart Screen Filter, and some other features. Internet Explorer Main Features In conclusion it may be said that although Microsoft Internet Explorer is not the only web browser in the world, it has many distinguishing features that are not found in other browsers. In contrast to other browsers, it is sold as a built-in component of Microsoft Windows operating system and is also available built-in on the vast majority of personal computers (Berger, 1998). The latest versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer offer its users to adjust and select a number of complex security settings for advanced users and, at the same time, offer a simplified choice of security zones for those, who are not very familiar with computers. Microsoft Internet Explorer supports vertical text (although it supports it in a syntax somewhat different from W 3 C CSS), provides support for a number of page transitions and image effects and encoder script code (for examples, JScript).
Internet Explorer's features include the use of COM and. NET integration, remote administration and partial support for Ruby characters (used in ideographic languages such as Chinese and Japanese languages). Finally, what is even more important, unlike the vast majority of other web browsers, Microsoft Internet Explorer allows a high level of integration with various user interfaces and applications, and includes popular features, such as tabbed browsing, built-in popup blocking, and mouse gestures, to mention a few. Bibliography Berger, P. (1998). Windows 98 for Educators. Technological Horizons In Education, 26.
Internet Explorer (Windows). (n. d. ). Retrieved December 21, 2008, from web Internet Explorer 7. (2008). Retrieved December 21, 2008, from Microsoft: web Internet Explorer History. (2003, June 30). Retrieved December 21, 2008, from web Schnoll, S. (1998 - 2001).
The History of Internet Explorer. Retrieved December 21, 2008, from web Try out Latest in Internet Explorer. (2006, March 14). The Washington Times.
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