Internet Explorer 8 allows you to customize the Favorites Bar, the Command Bar, and the toolbars. If you want to maximize your screen space while browsing the web in Internet Explorer 8, you can convert the Favorites Bar into a cascading menu. This may be handy if you are using a smaller monitor, or if you want to run other applications side-by-side with Internet Explorer 8.
You can also move the Favorites Bar down to the same level as the tabs, eliminating a row in the toolbar area. This post will show you how to do this to make a cascading menu out of your Favorites Bar.
To convert the Favorites Bar into a cascading menu, you must first unlock the toolbars so you can move the bar. To do this, right-click on the toolbar area and select Lock the Toolbars from the popup menu so there is no check mark next to the option.
Click and hold on the dotted, vertical line on the left side of the Favorites Bar and drag it to the same level as the tabs, next to the other toolbar(s) on the right. The Add to Favorites Bar button moves and as you move the dotted, vertical bar to the right, shrinking the Favorites Bar, a double-arrow displays.
Right-click again on the toolbar area and select Lock the Toolbars from the popup menu.
To access the cascading Favorites Bar menu, click the double-arrow button as illustrated below.
The new WebSlice feature in Internet Explorer 8 allows you to see when updated content (such as auction prices or the latest headlines) is available from your favorite websites. A WebSlice is a piece of a webpage, or a “slice,” that you can subscribe to and displays as a shortcut on the Favorites Bar.
When you convert your Favorites Bar into a cascading menu, WebSlices still work. When you hover the mouse pointer over a WebSlice, it cascades automatically.
NOTE: WebSlices only display for web pages that provide support for WebSlices. Currently, websites such as EBay, Facebook and Stumble Upon have added support for WebSlices.
RSS feeds also work when you convert the Favorites Bar to a cascading menu. To obtain an RSS feed and add it to your Favorites Bar, go to a website for which you want to add an RSS feed and click the arrow on the RSS button on the toolbar. Select the RSS 2.0 option.
On the feeds page for the website, click the Subscribe to this feed link.
On the Subscribe to this Feed dialog box, make sure you select the Add to Favorites Bar check box to add it to your Favorites Bar cascading menu. Click Subscribe.
A message displays saying that you are successfully subscribed to this feed.
If you click the double-arrow button on the Favorites Bar, you will notice the feed in the menu and when you move your mouse over the feed name, the items in the feed display in a cascading menu.
You can still add websites to your Favorites Bar by navigating to the desired website and clicking theAdd to Favorites Bar button. The site is added to the menu.
As an added tip, you can disable the Menu Bar to gain additional space on your screen. To do this, right-click on the Menu Bar and select Menu Bar from the popup menu so there is no check mark to the left of the option. When the Menu Bar is hidden, you can still access it by pressing the Alt key.
You can show and hide other items to save more screen space by right-clicking on the menu bar or toolbars, as pictured above.
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