In the past, Microsoft has come under criticism for its lack of engagement with third-party developers, but the company seems to be trying to change that with its Internet Explorer 9 platform preview. So far developers have downloaded the release at least 700,000 times, and have filed reports on hundreds of bugs.

Unlike other browser makers who often make nightly builds available prior to a major release, Microsoft has planned IE9 releases every eight weeks.

Ars Technica concludes, “Thus far, at least, it looks like the scheme has been successful at getting third-party developers involved with IE9’s development, which has to be good news for both sides.”