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Internet Explorer 7 Hacks

November 15, 2006

Article - Courtesy Alex Walker - Editor, The SitePoint Design View

Tredosoft have two options available for the IE tester. For those not quite ready to overwrite their old IE6 install, they offer ‘Standalone IE7‘ - a small app that juggles the registery to allow both IE’s to co-exist on the same system.

For those who have already installed IE7, they provide ‘Multiple IE‘ — using a simliar trick to let IE6 live with your new IE7 install. In fact, this app allows you to run similtaneous instances of IE3 IE4.01 IE5 IE5.5 and IE6.

Both applications are provided free.

I’ve successfully run ‘Standalone 7′ for months now while others in the office are running ‘Mulitple IE’ with no great drama.

However, it’s probably fair to say that this method tinkers with the very mind and soul of IE and, as such, the rendered results may not be 100% trustworthy. It’s also worth noting that the technique isn’t supported or even encouraged by Microsoft, so if things go ‘boom’ you’re probably on your own.

In summary, I’ve had good results with Tredosof, but if it makes you at all nervous, steer clear.

Browsershots is currently the most comprehensive free browser testing solution available. Simply submit your URL of your test page and wait as your pages are generated. Apart from providing access to 11 different browsers, the service also allows developers to test different screen resolutions, plugin availablity, JavaScript reliance and color depth.

Browsershots.org

The service only has three possible drawbacks:

  • Testers can’t test live functionality - for example, the operation of forms, etc.
  • Test pages must be online to be accessed.
  • There is a queue, and waiting times can vary greatly. However at least a small fee can guarantee you a prompt turnaround.

All up, a very good service.

IE Web Renderer

The new kid on the block — IE Web Renderer — works similarly to Browsershots, albeit with fewer bells and whistles. Although it only offers IE6 and IE7 renders at this point in time, it does have one compelling advantage — page renders are returned almost immediately.

On the downside, at this point in time IE Web Render only shows you the ‘viewport’, rather than your full page, like Browsershot does.

Still, this does provide a free, painless and relatively fast testing option. It may well continue to improve as it evolves over time.

Certainly worth a bookmark at the very least.

VMware

Last, but certainly not least, if you haven’t recently checked out what VMware has to offer it could be time well spent. (Mac users can check out Parallels)

For those who are new to the idea, VMware makes it possible to create a ‘virtual PC’ inside your PC. You can then install another licenced operating system and an alternate browser onto this ‘virtual PC’. They will both happily run in a window on your PC at the click of a button.

Running a ‘virtual PC’ will demand resources. If you plan to run more than one concurrently (which the software certainly allows) - a memory and hard disk upgrade might be in order.

If you think that sounds great, it gets better - since EMC acquired VMware a few months ago, the entry level products VMware Player and VMware Server have become 100% free.

Happy testing.

Recommended Reading - Five Tools for Spying on Your Competition

Written by James Opiko · Filed Under Marketing, Web-Dev-Design 

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