Microsoft Previews New Site - No Firefox Allowed

No Judge, we swear we'd never abuse our marketshare...

from WinCustomize Forums

As Microsoft prepares for the juggernaut marketing effort that will accompany the launch of Windows Vista, Windows Live and Office 2007, they've popped up a preview of the new redesigned Microsoft.com. 

Unfortunately, if you use Firefox, you shouldn't bother clicking on that link since all you'll see is the old Microsoft site.  But, if you're visiting us through IE 6 or 7, then go for it and check it out.  The new site features a look more in-line with the Live sites.  Essentially, it's the old Microsoft site with the nav bar flipped to the right and changed a bit, and some new colors.

But you can't see it on Firefox.  And it's not just a matter of parts of the pages erroring out, it just doesn't exist. 

8,624 views 20 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Good thing I've got the IE Tab extention, works fine that way. It looks decent, though I've really gotten used to the old layout.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
*adds to IE Tab's always open with IE list*

I never much liked the Microsoft site. It always felt extreamly hard to navigate, and the HUGE pictures that acted as links (or banners sometimes) were just distracting. Way to much stuff on the site, and it always seemed such a mess.

This doesn't seem any different .

Looks nicer, but thats about it as far as I can tell . Thanks for the link.
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Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Another intelligent move by Microsoft, cut off a growing portion of the people on the web.

Oh well..
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Checked it Opera and IE and it's the same. Looks like they've only cut out Firefox.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
At first I thought it was the same in Opera, but then realized I had copied the redirect addy to IE. When I copied the address from the hyperlink in the thread & pasted it into IE, I got a different site.

Most likely they set up the preview for IE only, but a corporation isn't likely to block itself off from potential business by locking out people who use other software after the new setup goes live


Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm with Roman on this one.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Not bad.

What's with the navigation on the right side? It seems awkward to me.

And not being able to see it in FF is a bit passive-agressive, no?
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
i like the new layout.. less is more. they have a LOT of material to present and this helps cut through it a bit.

that is.. if you get rid of that floating garbage on the right. what's that about?

it's a beta, guys. wouldn't worry about them cutting out firefox.. why target that specifically? anybody try it with safari?
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Another intelligent move by Microsoft, cut off a growing portion of the people on the web.


I'm absolutely certain that's just for our own safety, Roman.
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
ooookay - so how come I can see this preview page with my FF 2.01 beta? It all works fine....
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
ooookay - so how come I can see this preview page with my FF 2.01 beta? It all works fine....
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
there office beta site works on firefox 1.5

http://officebeta.iponet.net/en-us/FX100647101033.aspx?pid=CL100569831033
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
... IE only??? ... surrrre... I have done nothing to my firefox to make it load IE pages or anything like that... It just works, brand new MS.com page all there, every bit of it!

This it? (looks way different than what I remember...) -->
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
That is a great example of how stuborn Microsoft is. So what if its ONLY a preview, anyone can choose what to use for surfing the net, Microsoft or not.
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
What's with the navigation on the right side? It seems awkward to me.


Having navigational links on the right side is better.
* The links are closer to the scrollbar of the page. The main content is allowed to start at the top left corner of the page so your eyes don't have to jump over the navigation bar to read the content.


btw, I'd wait to judge MS until the site is actually made official.