Microsoft to unleash IE8 beta real soon now

SINCE LAST December the Vole's Internet Explorer team has been slaving over the eighth version of its browser.

Now, according to a note sent to previous testers, a beta should be available at some point in the next four months.

The beta will be aimed mainly at developers, but members of the "general public" willing to take the risk, will be more than welcome to try it out too.

Microsoft says its new browser will support web standards better, provide more security and additional interface options.

In a Volish attempt to comply with standards, and not disrupt sites written with IE6 and IE7, it would seem that Microsoft is going to let developers "stay in or out of the web standards mode."

The release of the Vole's beta browser will come hard on the heels of Mozzarella's new Firefox 3 beta, which was released earlier this month. µ