title: XMLHttpRequest() vs ActiveXObject("Microsoft.XMLHTTP") - what's the point?
body: <p>Microsoft finally added the native XMLHttpRequest object in Internet Explorer 7, but I found out that it can be disabled in the Internet Options dialog.  So what benefit is there using XMLHttpRequest() vs ActiveXObject("Microsoft.XMLHTTP")?</p>
  
  <p>If it can be disabled, that means we have to keep our browser compatibility checks in forever, doesn't it?  Would XMLHttpRequest() initialize quicker than ActiveXObject("Microsoft.XMLHTTP") or what?  Why would Microsoft add it and make it optional?</p>