With the advent of Google Chrome, Firefox 3.1 Alpha and Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2, the browser wars have been virtually revitalized, with a strong focus on the horsepower delivered by each product, and especially in terms of JavaScript performance. Asa Dotzler, Mozilla's director of community development, has come out gunning for Microsoft, because the Redmond company failed to make public its JavaScript benchmarks in the same manner as open source projects, mentioning Apple's SunSpider, Google's V8 Benchmark, and Mozilla's Dromaeo.

“The open source engines are rockin' the speed game and the closed engines are falling very far behind very quickly. It looks to me like the closed and proprietary guys just can't keep up. It's actually a shame that they're falling so far behind. It would be helpful for the Web if the IE team was able to make some serious JS improvements for 8 and whatever comes next because there are still a significant number of users stuck on Microsoft's technology,” Dotzler stated.

Microsoft did reveal details related to the JavaScript enhancements that have been integrated into Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2, but the software giant has not made any benchmark results available to the public. In the past, IE Program Manager Christian Stockwell indicated that, while IE8's JavaScript engine had indeed evolved, Microsoft's focus with kicking up a notch the performance of Internet Explorer was on the browser as a web platform, and not on a specific aspect.

“Their falling behind won't completely stop the Web from moving forward though. There's enough momentum behind the truly modern browsers, Firefox leading the way with 20% of the market, that the Web will get better without them. IE market share will continue to deteriorate, probably at a somewhat faster rate, as users flee for a better experience. And MS will no doubt slow things down at least some so I really do hope they improve. The less of a drag they are the better,” Dotzler added. 

Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 is available for download here.

Firefox 3.1 Alpha 1 for Windows is available for download here.

Firefox 3.1 Alpha 1 for Linux is available for download here.

Firefox 3.1 Alpha 1 for Mac OS X is available for download here.