If you’re as into following web browsers as I think you are, you probably already heard that an internal Microsoft build of the next version of Internet Explorer, which will be dubbed IE8 (and not something else), recently passed the Acid2 test.  The news spread quickly, as it was featured on sites like Slashdot and Digg, and was relished, praised and congratulated by many, and met with some criticism by others.  Robert Scoble gave kudos to Microsoft and the IE team; Opera Watch called it an “exciting and positive step in the right direction for Microsoft and the Web;” Simon Willison gave some technical examples of what the news means, Slightly Ajar called the news “a great win for standards;” Dave Shea called it a “huge leap forward.”

On the more skeptical front, both Asa Dotzler and Slightly Ajar questioned just what exactly the IE team meant when they referred to “IE8 standards mode.”  Furthermore, Dave Massy responded to some criticism and other questions about the forthcoming browser.  When Bill Gates was asked about some of the secrecy that has surrounded the release in a recent interview, he expressed surprise and allowed that there aren’t any deep secrets about what is going on with the development of the browser.

To say that all the recent ramblings have gotten people talking about the browser would be an understatement.  Beyond sparking interest in IE8’s handling of the Acid2 test, the buzz has spurred ideas and suggestions about what other features should be included in the release.

If you’ve gotten through this post and you’re still itching for more information about IE8, which is reportedly due out in the first half of this year, the original announcement at the IEBlog is packed with details, including the checkin log from when the feature landed in the central IE build, a Channel 9 interview features IE GM Dean Hachamovitch and Architect Chris Wilson, and a post titled IE8 Expectations, written by Jonathan Snook, is one of the better written posts on the subject, including everything from details about the underlying Trident rendering engine to predictions about what will and won’t be supported.  So be sure to give those links a read as well.

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