New Features of Internet Explorer 7
When Internet Explorer 7 was first introduced, all of the changes were a bit overwhelming. No one wanted to jump in to all the new features. Adjusting to the redesign of the main window was challenge enough. However, now that you've had some time to get used to the program, I thought I'd revisit some of its new features with the hope that you will find at least one feature that will improve your browsing experience. I've also included information about some of the known issues we are having with IE here in the libraries along with any available workarounds.
Streamlined interface
The main window of Internet Explorer 7 (see Fig. 1) has been redesigned to accommodate the addition of the tabs and to maximize the area of the screen that displays a web page. As part of this redesign, many of the buttons have been moved, and the Menu bar has been hidden. In addition, the Command bar has been added to give you access to commonly used commands.
Figure 1 The main window of Internet Explorer 7
Instant Search box
Use the Instant Search box to conduct searches using your favorite search provider. Click the Search Options arrow to change your default search provider, run your search using a different provider, or add a search provider.
Tabbed browsing
Tabbed browsing allows you to view multiple sites in a single browser window. Simply click the New Tab button on the tab row or press CTRL+T to open a new tab. You can open a link in a new tab by pressing CTRL as you click the link or right-clicking the link and selecting Open in New Tab.
If you want to open the page you are currently viewing in a new tab, click in the Address bar, and press ALT+ENTER. If you type a new address in the Address bar or enter a search term in the Instant Search box, you can use ALT+ENTER to open the results in a new tab.
Click the tabs to easily switch from one site to another. If you want to rearrange your tabs, you can drag them from one location to another. Click the gray X on a tab to close it.
Known Issue:
Feature:
Choosing to have current tabs restored when you reopen Internet Explorer.
Problem:
Internet Explorer fails to open. This is caused by the attempt to open multiple tabs when the program first starts. (This problem should not affect your home computer.)
Solution:
Systems is aware of this problem, but until a solution is found, it is best not to use this feature on your work computer.
Workaround:
If you need to keep the tabs, save them as a tab group before closing the program.
Oops!
If you do try to use this feature and IE quits, just open it again. IE only tries to restore the tabs once, then it reverts back to your home page.
Quick Tabs
When you have more than one tab open, Quick Tabs 
displays thumbnails of all
the tabs in a single window, allowing you to easily navigate through them and
select the one you want.
Favorites Center
The Favorites Center (see Fig. 2) provides a single location to view and access your favorites, RSS feeds, and browsing history. The Favorites Center opens when you click the Favorites Center button and closes when you either choose the link you want to open or click off the pane. You can pin the Favorites Center in place if you want it to remain open.
Figure 2 The Favorites Center
Tab Groups
In addition to saving a single site as a favorite, Internet Explorer 7 allows you to save groups of sites, called Tab Groups. To save a Tab Group, just click the Add to Favorites button and choose Add Tab Group to Favorites. The Tab Group will appear as a folder in your Favorites. When you hover over a folder in your favorites, a blue arrow will appear to the right of the folder. Click this blue arrow to open all the pages in the folder simultaneously. If you only want to open one site, click the folder to expand it, and then click on the individual site's link.
Command bar
Located at the top right side of the Internet Explorer window, the Command bar (see Fig. 3) offers easy access to some of IE’s more commonly used commands. Many of the buttons on the Command bar have drop-down arrows that offer access to settings and features previously available only through the Menu bar. The Command bar, like other toolbars, is customizable.
Figure 3 Internet Explorer's Command bar
The default buttons on the Command bar include:
- Home
- Allows you to return to your home page, change your home page, add/delete a home page tab.
- Feeds
- Changes color when IE detects a feed(s) on a site. If multiple feeds are detected, allows you to choose which feed to view. See RSS feeds for more information.
- Automatically scales a web page to fit the entire web page on the printed page. Also allows you to quickly access Print Preview and Page Setup.
- Page
- Combines commonly used commands from the File, Edit, and View menus, such as Cut/Copy/Paste, Save As, and Text Size, in one location.
- Tools
- Duplicates the Tools menu located on the Menu bar. Includes options such as Internet Options, Pop-up Blocker, and others.
Known Issue:
Feature:
Internet Explorer 7 allows you to set multiple home pages.
Problem:
Internet Explorer fails to open. This is caused by the attempt to open multiple tabs when the program first starts. (This problem should not affect your home computer.)
Workaround:
If you choose to set multiple home pages, you must follow these steps before you close Internet Explorer. Click the Tools button and select Internet Options. In the Tabs section, click Settings. Select Open only the first home page when Internet Explorer starts. After the program opens, click the Home button to display all of your home pages.
Oops!
If you forgot to set the option described above, you will have to use a shortcut that goes to a designated URL, such as the Library HomePage icon or the Library Intranet icon on the NAL, to open IE. Then you can follow the steps for the workaround.
RSS feeds
RSS (Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary) is a format for publishing frequently updated web content such as news headlines. Many web sites, including the Library's, allow users to freely subscribe to their content in the form of an RSS feed. Internet Explorer 7 can automatically detect most RSS feeds on sites. If a feed is detected, the feed button changes from gray to orange (see Fig. 3). You can click the Feeds icon to preview and subscribe to the RSS feed. A list of the feeds you subscribe to can be viewed and accessed in the Favorites Center.
Page zoom
Internet Explorer now has a zoom button 
on the Status bar. The zoom button, unlike the Text size feature,
enlarges the complete content of a web page, including graphics.
Security Status bar
All web site security issues are now revealed in one location. If a site is secure, the Security Status bar, located directly to the right of the Address bar, shows a lock icon (see Fig. 4a). Color-coded notifications appear in both the Security Status bar and the Address bar to let you know about web site certificate information (see Fig. 4a, 4b). The color-coding system includes:
- green—extended validation
- white—normal validation
- yellow—unable to verify
- red—certificate error
Figure 4a The lock in the Security Status bar reveals a secure web site. The green color-coding indicates a High Assurance certificate.
Figure 4b The red color-coding indicates potential problems with the web site’s security. The message in the Security Status bar gives further information regarding potential problems.
To find out more information about the web site’s certificate or to view the certificate, click the Security Status bar.
Known Issue:
Problem:
You may receive certificate error message when using Groupwise Web Access or Net Storage. This is because our current certificate is self-signed.
Solution:
Systems is in the process of getting valid certificates. However, it is safe to continue to the web site. TAMU Libraries Systems makes sure that the security of its users is not compromised.
Phishing Filter
This filter helps detect phishing web sites by comparing the addresses of web sites you visit to a list of reported phishing sites. If the site you are visiting is on the list, IE displays a warning web page and a notification on the Address bar (see Fig. 5).
Figure 5 Phishing Filter warning page
Internet Explorer also analyzes the sites you visit. If the address is not on the list of reported phishing sites, IE checks for characteristics common to a phishing web site. If the site is suspicious, IE will alert you in the Address bar and the Security Status bar. A warning will also display.
You choose whether or not the Phishing Filter runs automatically. TDS and Systems strongly recommend that you turn the Phishing filter on. If you opt not to turn on the phishing filter, you can manually check a site by choosing Tools > Phishing Filter > Check this Website.
Delete browsing history
By clicking the Tools button and choosing Delete Browsing History, you can delete cached pages, passwords, form data, cookies, and history, all from a single location.
Fix My Settings
When your current security settings may put you at risk while browsing the internet, the Information bar (see Fig. 6) will display a warning and will keep reminding you as long as your settings remain unsafe. To instantly reset Internet security settings to the default level (Medium-High), click the Information bar and choose Fix Settings for Me.
Figure 6 Information bar displaying security settings warning
I encourage you to try out these new features. Some, like the Command bar or tabs, may take some getting used to, but once you do, I'm certain you will find them invaluable tools.
TDS is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.