IE9 is in "Platform Preview" - meaning "not even beta". It is compared against current released versions of other browsers. They will catch up, and by past experience some will release before IE.
These tests play to IE9's strengths. I don't really have a problem with that since the tests will push other browsers to catch up, but there are other tests like ACID which have different focus and showcase other browsers.
You just used the phrase "catch up" (twice!) to describe other browsers that are far ahead of IE in pretty much every objectively measurable respect.
Clearly publishing a comparison of a "platform preview" (i.e. not even a nightly, it's just the core rendering engine) against the stable, released versions of other browsers is an effective psychological manipulation when even someone who is pointing out that very fact can jump to the conclusion that all these other browsers haven't progressed in the meantime.
Er, the test is an "objectively measurable respect" in which the IE9 Preview is ahead.
Having said that, sorry about the poor wording. And I agree that the released version of IE trails the released version of all other browsers. This has been consistent over several major release cycles. Still, I think MS should be encouraged when they're heading in the right direction.
IE9 is in "Platform Preview" - meaning "not even beta". It is compared against current released versions of other browsers. They will catch up, and by past experience some will release before IE.
These tests play to IE9's strengths. I don't really have a problem with that since the tests will push other browsers to catch up, but there are other tests like ACID which have different focus and showcase other browsers.