On August 27, 2008, Microsoft released Windows Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 in English, German, Simplified Chinese, and Japanese. We will release Beta 2 in an additional 21 languages* within a month. Because you’re actively engaged in developing and maintaining websites, Microsoft wants to make you aware of a display issue related to Internet Explorer 8. Upon initial release, browsing in default Internet Explorer 8 Standards mode may cause content written for previous versions of Internet Explorer to display differently than intended. To enable existing content to display as expected, Microsoft is providing a compatibility tag that you can add to sites that might be affected. This tag instructs Internet Explorer 8 to display site content as if it were in Internet Explorer 7. This option helps ensure that existing content will continue to display seamlessly in Internet Explorer 8 without requiring any additional code changes.

Take these steps to implement the required updates and to learn more about the release of Internet Explorer 8:

• Update your site and your customers’ sites by using the Internet Explorer 7 compatibility tag. Follow the step-by-step instructions in the compatibility knowledge base article .  
• Have your technical teams download and evaluate the latest Internet Explorer 8 Beta release .  
• Advise your customers of this issue and the Internet Explorer 7 compatibility tag solution.  
• View the virtual Internet Explorer 8 release event  available globally on August 27, 2008.  
Internet Explorer 8 offers security, reliability, and interoperability functions that enhance the overall user experience while enabling you to build stronger relationships with customers. Use Internet Explorer 8 to connect with customers by providing access to your services through the Web. Significant security and privacy enhancements help reinforce customer trust of Internet-run businesses. Interoperability  improvements offer better integration with your internal technology. And enhanced reliability for Web browsing delivers a more secure platform for business. Learn more  about Internet Explorer 8.