New IE plug-in aims to speed Web searches

A free plug-in released Wednesday for Internet Explorer allows users to mouse over Web search listings for an instant view of the content rather than having to wait for the full page to download.

The software, created by San Francisco-based Browster, uses patented "pre-fetching" instant page rendering that serves up a copy of the Web page in milliseconds in a new window on top of the original search page.

Users can click on links and information in that new window and download data from that Web site. They can exit by moving the mouse back to the main search site or click on an icon in the new window for viewing the previous or next search item in the list of results.

Browster 1.0 works with search sites like Google and Yahoo, e-commerce sites like eBay and Amazon.com and other Web sites that can be searched, like Craigslist, Bloglines, newsgroups and news sites.

The plug-in works with Internet Explorer 5 and later versions. Other browsers will be supported in the future, said Browster CEO Scott Milener.

why not Firefox first?

Developing for Internet Explorer first was a bad idea. IE may have
the majority market share, but only because it comes bundled with
Windows. No one (ok, very few) chooses IE conscientiously. They
should have developed for Firefox, the browser conscientiously
chosen by power users -- just the type of users who are more
likely to use a power tool like this and talk about it with their
friends and colleagues.

[Cuto]

Get to reality

Firefox first? Are you insane? If you're in business, wouldn't it make sense to target the larger population? Also, if you're a "power user", shouldn't you know that web based applications generally work with IE only because IE allows the flexibility developers need. Get back to reality will you.

[tsm26]

It does work in Firefox

Does anyone who comments on these stories first look and research? I guess not, because if you go to their website it is clear that it supports Firefox. In fact I installed it to see if it works in Firefox and it does. Everyone is so quick to jump on anything involving Microsoft and begin a tear down session. Why don't you go read more first.

I won't be using it

Neither will the company I work for. Since nobody uses IE it's a simple choice. It might be free but so is all the other stuff for IE (spyware/adware).
I'd rather have the free AND open things like Firefox extentions without the free spyware.

[tsm26]

But it does work in Firefox

Will you use it now? It isn't open source though.

Browster is not new IE technology

Viewpoint has the same plug-in for IE that's been out for several years. It's pretty slick.

[BarqMulch]

Adware?

From Browster's license agreement (we all read those, right?)...

Advertising
Browster, Inc. reserves the right to run advertisements and promotions on the Browster software. By accepting the terms of this License, you agree that we have the right to run such advertisements and promotions without compensation to you. The timing, type, frequency, placement and extent of advertising by us is subject to change and shall be determined by us at our sole discretion.

[Scott W]

and now i won't

and now i won't be using it. thanks for the heads-up

:)

And the Ad crap is all I needed to know. Off my list now.