We just received word that Microsoft has updated their Internet Explorer 7 browser graphics:
"Hopefully, by now you’ve seen from our posts that there are a lot of new features and work going into IE 7. As part of this update, we’re refreshing our icon and logotype. We considered more radical departures from our current logo, but blue “e” with the ring is very recognizable and familiar to users, so we elected instead to make more subtle changes.
As you can see, the new “e” has more modern look, and the edges are a bit darker so the icon stands out better against different backgrounds. We liked the gold ring too since it brings in new energy and helps the icon pop a bit more than the old one. This icon and text treatment will be used on the versions of IE 7 for Windows XPSP2, Server 2003 SP1, and x64 versions. We’ll have a slightly different look for the Windows Vista™ version, one that’s more consistent with the icons there. We’re not quite ready with that one yet, but we’ll share it here once we do."
We openly criticized the Beta 1 logos in our review of IE7 stating that "The Explorer "E" has been updated to a Macintosh IE type symbol, which we find doesn't look right when loaded into the start menu or quick launch bar." We think Microsoft has done a nice job this time around and the logo should look great in the final product.
"Hopefully, by now you’ve seen from our posts that there are a lot of new features and work going into IE 7. As part of this update, we’re refreshing our icon and logotype. We considered more radical departures from our current logo, but blue “e” with the ring is very recognizable and familiar to users, so we elected instead to make more subtle changes.
As you can see, the new “e” has more modern look, and the edges are a bit darker so the icon stands out better against different backgrounds. We liked the gold ring too since it brings in new energy and helps the icon pop a bit more than the old one. This icon and text treatment will be used on the versions of IE 7 for Windows XPSP2, Server 2003 SP1, and x64 versions. We’ll have a slightly different look for the Windows Vista™ version, one that’s more consistent with the icons there. We’re not quite ready with that one yet, but we’ll share it here once we do."
We openly criticized the Beta 1 logos in our review of IE7 stating that "The Explorer "E" has been updated to a Macintosh IE type symbol, which we find doesn't look right when loaded into the start menu or quick launch bar." We think Microsoft has done a nice job this time around and the logo should look great in the final product.

View: Neowin Discussion | Neowin Reviews IE7 Beta 1
View: Internet Explorer Blog


EDIT: ohhh, I see the small print. They changed it from Microsoft Internet Explorer to Windows Internet Explorer. I guess the days of IE for Mackintosh and other platforms is not gone for good.
I said "quite" nice. I don't like it and the texture/lighting effect on the "e" looks poorly done, but they could of done a lot worse.
New branding solves everything! Like ****ty standards support...
STV
Last edited by 11188 on 13 Aug 2005 - 12:30
Remember people...
Some of the CSS used with the Acid2 test doesn't exactly conform to the standards as well.
Also, it seems the IE team will be working with the WebStandards group as well, so we shouldn't have to worry about IE7 being the piece-of-crap that IE6 is today.
That's why WE NEED STANDARDS so it works in ANY browser WITHOUT breaking anything. Web developers (those working for personal gain or profit) should use standards just for that reason alone, not because people use IE more or most tech people use a Gecko/Opera/KHTML-based browser. What we web developers want is IE working like the other browsers, without relying on shift crap code for webpages and webapps to display properly. (in other words, as close to the current web standards as possible, and to be up-to-date with upcoming recommendations)
"most tech people use a Gecko/Opera/KHTML-based browser"
And I'm 17 feet tall.
Fact is Linux is used by a small subset of the total computer using population.
The average user *maybe* knows about Firefox. Fewer actually use it.
No one gives a **** about Acid2 or "standards compliance." Get over yourselves.
The average user is interested in getting work done, and even for all its faults here and there, Windows allows that. The less tinkering, the better.
The average user comprises the vast majority of the consumer computer/OS market, and Microsoft has it locked because, overall, they *still* make a fairly solid product.
Propellerheads make up a very small percentage of the industry. I wouldn't worry about their criticisms - they're just pissing in the wind anyway.
Some of us have WORK to do.
Right, but the point I was making applies to EVERYONE, which means developers and not just the average joe. If MS themselves fix it right (which should be damn easy for them), then everybody wins, we get better looking webpages which follow standards (and make web developer's lives a lot easier), and mommy can check her banking/stock website without any trouble.
Right and wrong, all the other alternative browsers have already threatened MS' hold on browser supremacy, which is why Microsoft is working with the web standards group, although it won't be as compliant as the other browsers. It's a win-win situation, afaik. The "other companies" are already playing in the real world, it's just that people are blinded by 'marketshare' to know it.
Apparently. However you should change that to "making things works right and properly" vs. Internet Explorer.
Ah, but "propellerheads" are generally the ones that create your precious web pages to start with, and their concern, with "their criticisms" is what gives you a choice of browsers to begin with. Not really who you want to piss off unless the only web sites you want to be able to visit are in the microsoft.com domain.
[URL=http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=25397]Firefox loses ground to Explorer and Safari
[/URL]
It looks like a blue e being urinated on.
-the colonel
If I didn't like how Firefox looked, I wouldn't be using it right now. I'd probably be using Opera 8. Its standards support seems to be superior minus a few block model quirks (which I believe Opera's developers have resolved).
By the way, indicators aren't always right, especially when you have only had a glimpse of what you think you know everything about.
Some people really need to brush up on their etymology!
etymology:
1. The origin and historical development of a linguistic form as shown by determining its basic elements, earliest known use, and changes in form and meaning, tracing its transmission from one language to another, identifying its cognates in other languages, and reconstructing its ancestral form where possible.
2. The branch of linguistics that deals with etymologies
It's a reflection of Microsoft as a company - quiet, consistent, progressive.
I'll give you consistent, but other than that I seriously question whether or not we're thinking of the same "Microsoft" here.
Quiet: Compare Microsoft's marketing to Apple's.
are you kidding me...
those articles about MS thrash talking the open source movement sure are quiet
oh and the ones about Windows being cheaper that Linux they are really quiet too
How about , fixing all the bs in IE. Mozilla is still the bes.
Damn, U2K Tha Greate$t, you should go into marketing. with that talent that you have you could make a lot of money for some lucky company.
STV
I wanna see the IE changelog when the say..
"fixed all the bs"
I can't see any reason to diss MS about Internet explorer
until maybe AFTER they finish it. considering they are in a transition with it..
till then i stick with FF.
Oh yeah the Logo looks good(they coulda made it worse)
and I wish MS success with IE
"fixed all the bs"
Haha made me lol, thanks.
STV
^ #14 maybe you should spend time elsewhere insted of trolling about a icon
I'll probably be banned for saying this but someone should be slapped
STV
STV
sorry, bit of a shameless plug. i personally like the contrast that the gold ring brings to the icon as opposed to the ol' blue on blue.
that's enough for now
Second, it's a blog, not the main IE site, so they're not wasting any time 'announcing' it. They posted it for people who are interested.
Third, there are different people working on programming than there are for designing. It's not like the whole IE team decided "Oh forget working on code, lets all concentrate our efforts on making a new logo! LOL!"
But still less crazy than a Linux zealot.
Oh well.