March 10, 2010 By

Browser Compatibility – When Will Internet Explorer Die?

While developing BlogSell I’ve come to understand the importance of cross-browser compatibility. I’ve switched to Firefox a long time ago and hardly ever use Internet Explorer, but the fact is there is still a large group of people using IE – which is installed by default in all Windows OS – and never quite made the leap to Firefox or Chrome or even Safari.

Fortunately, stats from analytics for a similar site in the blogging niche shows that Firefox users are now at  56.21%, while IE is only at 21.70%. Other browsers like Chrome (12.35%) and Safari are also significant, but IE still represents a big user group after Firefox.

It’s really no problem making your site or software compatible for Chrome and Safari – differences in appearance are minimal. But IE really sucks, and it varies so much from each version of IE, that it’s hard to believe it’s done by Microsoft.

Optimizing for IE is a lot of work.

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browsers-firefox

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However, I think it’s better for us to stick to the 80/20 rule and optimize only for 80% of IE versions, which is version 8.xx and 7.xx. All other versions can take a hike. It’s easier to ask users to just upgrade their browser or download Firefox instead :)

Filed Under: Technology & Gadgets Tagged With: , , , , ,
October 18, 2008 By

What I Think of Internet Explorer

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A picture speaks a thousands words. I hate Internet Explorer.

The only thing worse than IE is a newer version of IE. I have long a go renamed my shortcuts into “Stupid IE” and out it into a folder so I can’t see the icon too often.

But for the sake of your online business, you need to understand that most of your readers or customers are using IE. Why?

Because it was bundled with the Windows OS, that’s why. And if your customers aren’t too tech-savvy they would have no idea what a “Firefox” is. My GobalaKrishnan.com stats reveal that 45.9% of readers are using IE, and that’s taking into consideration that YOU are more likely to be among the class of “savvy” Internet users probably hooked to Firefox, Safari or Chrome.

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You’ve seen the light, but what about your customers who have not? If you’re writing an e-book, developing software or designing CSS-based themes or templates, check them for IE-compatibility. IE sucks and it makes your life harder. But you need to check anyway or end up with disgruntled customers.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: ,