The short answer:
use "asfunction:_root.link," attatched to where one would normally use "#/content/blah/blah/" and end up with "asfunction:_root.link,#/content/blah/blah/".
So in my case the following worked :
asfunction:_root.link,#/content/textpage/sample page/*_self
For your information, this seems to apply to links in text pages (verified), each of the "special image links" (including purchase) (verified).
So, If you have a problem with a link, check it across browsers, then see if this "solution" works for you.
Side note:
I found the answer in a standlone obscure msg marked "X2 announcements ~ New methology for internal links"
So, is this considered fixed or a workaround? Is this related or not related to the "backbutton" and/or "useswfaddress" issues that also in IE8?
--Gee