Browser Testing / For Clients / Web Development / IE6 Countdown
How a 9 year old browser is still being used at all is not only beyond me but also a sign that there are many, many IT depts that fear change.
Some IT departments still use ie6 to run software within their companies. Ok, I’d say 98% companies and 2% nana users who like to use “The Google” on their Commodore 64.
How can you quote on the unquotable?
As a website designer and developer, it’s often hard to quote on a project and be spot-on every time. I win some, I lose some. Some projects go way over and some go way under. It’s just the nature of the business (or I’m really crap at quoting).
Either way, I’ve always made a point to include a:
“I don’t support Internet Explorer 6″
in my project brief. Clients don’t read this or they don’t know how it affects them until it’s too late. So when Nana boots up the ol’ Commodore 64 and sees a website with a massive warning, begging her, daring her and often ridiculing her to upgrade, she simply says, “what’s a Firefox?” and moves on.
She never upgrades and the internet weeps. Another soul is lost… for now.
These days, if I were to include ie6 compatibility in my quotes, my clients could expect close to double the construction time if I do it properly. Sooooo unnecessary.
Why I hate Internet Explorer 6
- It’s crap, that’s why.
- And for once, Microsoft and I agree.
What can you do to help?
In this case, it’s ok to stop caring about the minority. They have a choice and choose to go on living with the dinosaurs. These are the same people that still write letters, send cheques and cook home made cakes with flour and stuff.
(I jest!)
Join the cause
You can also follow a real-time ie6 progress website by Microsoft. You see, they want it to die as much as anyone else.
Tell your friends (and nana)
If that means sneaking into their house at midnight to update their browser, I think in this instance it’s ok.
Why you should care about this post
In the words of Jerry Maguire, “help me, help you”.
I will do a much finer job for you if you allow me to focus on the users that matter. The people who are on the internet everyday, searching for things, ideas, companies etc etc. These people don’t use ie6.