Microsoft is releasing Internet Explorer 9 on Monday night.  From what I have read about, it will be a significant leap forward, but I'm not sure I'm ready to install it.  Before you decide to take the plunge to be on the bleeding edge of Internet browsers, you should check with your IT department as well as your software compatibility to make sure your software will still work, especially if you use a web based application. 

IE9 is Microsoft's response to the new CSS3 and HTML5 standards that are the next generation for developers of websites.   They are designed to greatly enhance the ease of creating graphics in the user interface.  Present development can be very cumbersome in these areas. 

If your company uses these new standards in-house, or requires them on third-party sites, you will need IE9 or another browser like Google Chrome, that supports these standards.   Most browsers have a new version that is designed for these standards.  As in prior versions, the support in each browser is slightly different.  Not all of them may be compatible with the pages you need to browse.  Chrome is recommended as the best alternative at present. 

IE9 has compatibility modes for prior browser versions, from IE5 forward.   Most websites use techniques that are compatible with prior browser versions and may not have been retro-fitted yet.  You will be able to select compatibility mode when running IE9, as you can in IE8 now.   Your web developer can set your web pages to automatically select a compatibility mode such as IE7 by using a META TAG such as: <meta http-equiv="x-ua-compatible" content="IE=EmulateIE7" /> .  Fortunately this is the same tag as IE8 used.  If the sites you visit worked with IE8 chances are that IE9 will be OK.  You should ask your Webmaster what your options are.

If IE9 is not mandatory for you right now, a good rule of thumb is to wait for the service pack 1 (sp1) release in a few months from now.

If you are going to install the new Internet Explorer 9, be sure to test all the functions of your different software.  You should also read up on how to uninstall the new version or create a restore point (if your OS supports it) BEFORE installing so you have a way to go backwards if IE9 does not work with your applications.

If you have questions about compatibility, creating a restore point, or uninstalling software, call the CCS Retail Support Department at 800-672-4806 or email us.

-Bryan