In brief: Microsoft releases browser preview

NEWS Microsoft has released a preview version of Internet Explorer 5 to developers. Initial reports suggest it is not far removed from the current version. The software giant said the new version will not differ from the current model in look and feel until later in the pre-release cycle. It will include additional features such as cascading style sheets, retained persistence and DHTML behaviours. However, the company would not comment on the possible integration of the browser with the Windows operating system - a hot topic for Microsoft at the moment, given the US Department of Justice's ongoing investigation into alleged monopolistic practices by the software giant.