No more standalone IE – Eclecticism

This entry was published at least two years ago (originally posted on May 31, 2003). Since that time the information may have become outdated or my beliefs may have changed (in general, assume a more open and liberal current viewpoint). A fuller disclaimer is available.

Here’s an interesting little tidbit buried in a Microsoft TechNet Q&A session:

As part of the OS, IE will continue to evolve, but there will be no future standalone installations. IE6 SP1 is the final standalone installation. … Legacy OSes have reached their zenith with the addition of IE 6 SP1. Further improvements to IE will require enhancements to the underlying OS.

Very interesting, especially in light of the blogged to death \$750 million AOL/Microsoft settlement that includes licencing IE to AOL for the next seven years (and possibly sounding Netscape’s death knoll). Makes me curious just how that’ll work.

Also — does this also kill IE for the Mac? IE already hadn’t been updated for the Mac in ages, and with the proliferation of alternative browsers available out there for OS X — including Apple’s own Safari — has Microsoft decided it’s time to concede the browser war as far as the Mac platform goes?

(via Jeffrey Zeldman)