Internet Explorer 8 6 Dec 2007

Reports from yesterday's Microsoft Mix 'n Mash event suggest that Bill Gates has begun publicising the much-anticipated release of "Internet Explorer 8". Details are sketchy however, with IEBlog (the official blog of the Internet Explorer development team) only posting info about the browser's name so far.

Interestingly, IEBlog signs off this post with the phrase "please don't mistake silence for inaction" - a phrase that Firefox developer Asa Dotzler finds offensive:

"It's not the [inaction] that people are concerned about. It's the lack of communication.

"What your silence for the last 18 months of IE 8 development tells the Web developers of the world that you don't give a shit what they've got to say about it.

"If that's they way Microsoft is going to continue doing business, then so be it, but don't pretend that it's something it isn't. Don't treat the people at your blog like children. They won't appreciate that."

...It's a good point, if slightly overstated: In a digitally-connected world, can companies like Microsoft really get away with giving their customers the silent treatment?

[via Long Zheng]