Microsoft recently published a list of “interoperability” principles that are to be the new focus of Microsoft’s software and internet directions; with that in mind, Microsoft has  announced that Internet Explorer 8 will aim to interpret web content in the most “standards-compliant” way possible.

The recent interoperability principles were released by Microsoft in response to allegations that Microsoft — surprise — wasn’t keeping open-source users  in mind; the following list of principles are intended to be more inclusive of more users.  Microsoft intends to:

1. Ensure open connections

2. Promote data portability3. Enhance support for industry standards

4. Foster more open engagements with customers and the industry, including open-source communities. 

As Microsoft restructures its set of operating principles, the development of Internet Explorer 8 had to be redirected with those in mind.  Dean Hachamovitch explores the intricacies of different web browser modes and how that will affect IE8’s direction on the Microsoft’s Internet Explorer blog.

There are two general modes in loading web content; those modes would be”standard” and “quirk” modes. “Standard” mode refers to the way in which browsers are naturally designed to interact with modern web content.  ”Quirk” mode is a function that allows modern browsers to interact with content that isn’t considered modern.

This time, unlike many earlier versions of Internet Explorer, instead of demanding web content be up to date to the latest IE standards, Microsoft will retain the “standards” mode of IE7, along with an updated “quirk” mode to more roundly handle outdated content.  

By doing so Microsoft should avoid many of the PR nightmares that come with overlooking open-source communities and websites that don’t care to update content to fit the latest IE requirements.   

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Related:

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Internet Explorer 8 beta does not like Vista SP1

$10K hack challenge winner says Vista’s code more secure than Mac’s

The Feds keep eyes fixed on Microsoft Windows 7 development

Entry was posted on Tuesday, March 4th, 2008 at 8:48 pm under Microsoft, Security, Upgrading, internet explorer.  Print This Post

Read more entries by Triston McIntyre.