Archive for May, 2009
Internet Explorer 6 is a jalopy
Internet Explorer 6 is the most widely used browser from a Dark Age of stifled innovation, but as of April 09, 17.52% of surfers are still using it. How far down the Information Superhighway will these users need to be before they brake down and finally enjoy the free upgrade to 2006’s version 7 (or even better, IE8)? Not long, apparently. Microsoft has lost a lot of ground, and the future does not look bright for the browser once brought to you at gunpoint. The browser options are becoming more diverse by the year.
I’ve been asked why I haven’t fixed some issues with my site that come up in IE6. I’ve decided that, while I could (and maybe should), I’d like to encourage an IE6 user who checks out this site to come enjoy the tastiness of tabbed browsing and more web standards compliance. Experience the web applications that will change your future, like Gmail and Mobile Me, with unique features made possible by new browsers.
And that’s where cars differ from web browsers. While some classic cars can still be restored and have an elegant beauty and design, justifying a wave of nostalgia, few look back at old computer technology like 5.25″ and 3.5″ floppy drives, read-only CD-ROMs, and dial-up Internet access and think “Wow, I really want to go back there. It was better.”
Nope, those things are jalopies. Wikipedia states: “When a jalopy gets to a state in which its maintenance becomes too expensive, its owner would be required to make a decision about its fate.” IE6 is a resource-guzzling mess and should be retired as soon as possible. It’s becoming too time-consuming and expensive to justify resources used for hacks and fixes. We designers and developers have a responsibility to encourage its demise. Innovation depends on it. Let’s take the hand of IE6 users and pull them out of the Dark Ages.
Get Firefox, Safari, Opera, or at least Internet Explorer 8.
UPDATE: Probably the best solution on how to deal with IE6 style sheets that I’ve seen. I will adopt this method immediately, although I’ve kind of done that already by informing my clients that the site won’t match pixel-for-pixel in IE6. But I won’t ever leave them hanging on the functionality.
Deloitte Virtual Teaming Learning Portal Design
User interface design for a portal site that helps the client better organize and present learning resources.
Deloitte Virtual Teaming Learning Portal Design
User interface design for a portal site that helps the client better organize and present learning resources.
Deloitte Virtual Teaming Learning Portal Design
User interface design for a portal site that helps the client better organize and present learning resources.
