Who would have thought. A beta version of the latest Safari browser is available for free download from Apple's website. The browser was previously available only for MacOS, and testing on Safari traditionally posed problems for PC-based designers and developers.

Something that can attract casual users is the the fact that, according to Apple, Safari 3 Beta it executes JavaScript up to 2.8 times faster than Internet Explorer 7 and up to 1.6 times faster than Firefox 2; details about the benchmarking process are available at Apple. Windows users also get a sharp Mac-style interface.

For years, Safari has occupied the fourth position in the charts of browser popularity, with a single-digit usage percentage. However, Apple's star is on the rise, and the growing Mac-wielding demographic is important to website builders. Safari 3 for Windows provides a smooth experience, and eliminates, or at least reduces, the need for browser testing services like Browsercam. Kudos to Apple for this small nod of acknowledgment in the direction of PC users.