Internet Explorer 5.0 beta posted!

Microsoft has posted its first Internet Explorer 5.0 Developer Preview, anearly look at the next-generation Web browser. Unlike IE 4.0, IE 5.0 doesn't change your Windows shell dramatically, but rather the changes arelargely found under the hood. There are some cosmetic changes, however:For example, the Channel button is gone from the IE toolbar. Now, channelshave been integrated into the Favorites menu. Offline sites are groupedtogether in the Favorites menu as well, and when you organize your Favorites, you will be greeted with a new, easier-to-use dialog box.

Microsoft is touting the following new features in IE 5.0:

Also of note in this release: it's a lot smaller than IE 4.0. The minimalinstall is only 8 MB, while a full install runs about 18 MB. This comparesto a minimal IE 4.0 install that's about 12 MB.

On the Outlook Express side, the layout tools have been organized underTools-Options, and the Outlook Bar--conspicuously--is missing in thisrelease. No fear, however: Microsoft will return the Outlook Bar in afuture release. The most obvious change in Outlook Express is the additionof the new Address Book in the Folders list, which is displayed by default.

One thing missing from the IE 5.0 Developer Preview is "Chrome", a newdisplay technology that combines DirectX with Dynamic HTML. Microsoft isnow saying that Chrome will be marketed as a separate product from IE 5and will, as such, not be included in IE 5.0 but will be available separately for Windows 98 and Windows NT 5.0.

If you just gotta have it, you can download the IE 5.0 Developer Previewnow from the Microsoft Web site

Please be advised that this is a developer release, however: It is not yetfeature complete. If you just want more information about the new browser, check out this overview on the Microsoft Site Builder Web site

For the record, Microsoft is saying that the final release of IE 5.0 is due"within a year from now.