For anyone considering IE8

[CharlieChomper]

There was a new article posted regarding a "feature", as Microsoft is calling it (although, that term is also being used in the sarcastic sense as well going back to the "it's not a bug, it's a feature" in-joke), where IE8 is "phoning home" to Microsoft user information supposedly to "suggest" websites to visit based upon the sites the user has already been to.

However, while it's still debatable as to whether or not Microsoft is actually keeping IP addresses and other info being sent to it (as there is some evidence that they may not be doing as they're claiming), they are not alone in doing this as Google's Chrome browser has also been doing this as well (which has not only led to avoidance and mass criticisms over that and other privacy and even security-related issues, it's also led the EU to look into the matter--Google, in response has said they will begin working on trying to address this issue specifically by attempting to anonymize user data or else delete what's being sent).

Regardless, IE8 is still in beta (the second beta release candidate is also supposedly due out soon), with no estimated date for the final release just yet.

[Felicity]

Thanks CC!

Now I am definitely not considering upgrading yet! I will wait until you have any further info regarding IE8 for us.

Felicity

[Whitnerd]

I switched to Firefox a long time ago and I'm not planning on going back, but this was interesting to read. I don't really see any appeal in having a browser that suggests websites.