Microsoft Wants to Kill Internet Explorer 6 Too

[Aardvark Soup]

Of the four 'big' browsers (Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Safari and IE9) none is specifically better or worse than the rest. Of course certain browsers excel in certain fields (and IE has the limitation that it only runs on Windows) people should just use whatever they're the most comfortable with. Even though Chrome apperantely is faster and supporting more interesting features, I still highly prefer Firefox because I'm used to it and like the user interface.

IE6 might not even be such a horrible browser for casual users. As long as they can visit the sites they want with it, there won't be much incentive for them to change.

For web developpers on the other hand, IE6 is absolutely abominable. The browser ignores all standards and just does things its own horrifically buggy way. There is no guarantee that your HTML and CSS will turn out looking the way it should, even if you follow IE6's specification by the letter. You'll always have to keep tweaking random values until the end result looks like it is supposed to.

Because of this, web developpers that still haven't dropped support for this browser will have to waste a lot of time on making two versions of their websites: one for the 'normal' standard-abiding browsers and one for the demented mess that is IE6.

 

[klasbo]

Gogo Norway & Finland! We're <1%!

Also, HTML 5 is incoming. Quick, hop on the bandwagon before it becomes mainstream! /hipster

 

[emeraldrafael]

Eh. It comes built in with most any microsoft computer, which is nice. I mean, I use firefox (I dont see much point in switching to Chrome as both are basically the same) but I still have an internet explorer on my comp (for no real reason other then if I lost it and my comp needed wiped clean and everything re installed, I'd have to have it re-uploaded, which the place I go to charges money for.

 

[BlindMessiah94]

I miss Netscape.

But really 1% is too much for any version of IE.

I hate going on to a friends comp when they need something fixed and seeing IE as their only browser.

 

[Twilight_guy]

Interesting, I wonder what the social, economic, and cultural reason for this are. Lack of money? Suspicion of new technology? Government control? Collective ideology? I must know, somebody get a plane ticket to china!

Microsoft should just kill support right now. When the thing starts to fall apart and no one cares people will upgrade or die and this really is just a laziness factor, they will change and if its economical, I doubt Microsoft was earning that much money off them anyways.

 

[8bitlove2a03]

I still don't understand how people haven't switched to Chrome. It's the fastest browser I've seen, it's clean-looking, and most people don't really need half the add-ons they need for Firefox anyways.

 

[Aeshi]

I still don't understand how people haven't switched to Chrome. It's the fastest browser I've seen, it's clean-looking, and most people don't really need half the add-ons they need for Firefox anyways.

It's made by Google.

I'd say that's a good enough reason not to use it.

 

[CharrHearted]

IE 6 is used by my school D: If it is desotryed... no more beaking off class and watching sexual material! NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

No just kidding, good riddance I hope to that god awful browser.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

This isn't a case about stupidity, it's a case about most people really not giving a shit. Most people have little knowledge of different browswers and if it shows a webpage it works well enough for them. Hence it seems bizarre that some people seem to feel superior because they use Firefox or whatever. Most people simply don't give a rat's arse about computer programs.

 

[theriddlen]

1.4% here!

People mostly use it because they don't know alternatives and don't like changes (old people), also it is used in schools and other badly funded institutions.

...Why people don't switch to Chrome? Because they're intelligent enough to know that Opera kicks all the asses!

 

[RUINER ACTUAL]

IE6 is so insecure at this point its pathetic. You might as well use dial up.

 

[Sud0_x]

If I'm using IE anything, it's a sad day for me regarding internet usage.

I use Firefox 3.6-something because (with my chosen add-ons) it works decently, but more importantly, has an excellent interface with tab colors and organization, for example. Nevertheless, I feel like Firefox 3.0 has been rather sluggish and bloated compared to version 2.0.

Chrome's my backup for speed, but I honestly dislike the comparatively barren (simple, woopity doo!) interface and the top-mounted tabs. With the later point in mind, Firefox 4.0 (Beta) can shove off until I know there is alternative configuration because I could just use Chrome if I wanted that.

Older IE models would likely make me throw things...

ReCaptcha: You fail at words, damn you!

Don't be put off by the 4.0 beta, the top mounted tabs and new "Firefox button" thingy threw me off at first too, it only takes a couple minutes to get things to your tastes. They changed up the UI in the new version, it happens.

I was going to post a screenshot of my setup but it seems I've forgotten my login info for my image hosting..

Anyway if you right-click on the toolbar uncheck "tabs on top" and hey presto! Your tabs are back where they belong, similarly check or uncheck the selection "Menu Bar" to switch between the new one button setup and the old "File, Edit, View etc" menus.
You can also click "Customize" and from here you may drag and drop any button/toolbar/item you so choose and either move it to your tastes or banish it to the hidden customization menu.
You can add a new toolbar to the bottom, sides, wherever you please. You can pretty much rearrange the whole deal.
(Also there's those sweet personas)

Spoiler: Aforementioned Screenshot

The little star icon next to my open tabs is my bookmark menu, I like my simplistic setup

Once it's out of Beta, in any case, your add-ons should be brought up to date so you can continue to use your browser of choice to your liking

-Live long and prosper

 

[Zefar]

I still don't understand how people haven't switched to Chrome. It's the fastest browser I've seen, it's clean-looking, and most people don't really need half the add-ons they need for Firefox anyways.

When I gave Chrome a try the first time it was in beta and plenty of people said how fast it was I didn't really notice a difference. Opera had been that fast for me for quite a good while.

As for Chromes features, they lack mouse gestures which is why I don't use it.

As for IE6. How is it possible to still be on that version? :/ Didn't that exist like 6 or so years ago?
But man if people still use IE6 and doesn't update, gotta suck.

 

[Syntax Error]

I use Chrome at home (wow, that rhymed). I still use IE5 (I think, not sure, but it's old and doesn't have multi-tab support) when I need to access my corporate e-mail. For some reason the outlook site doesn't render properly with chrome.

 

[Super Toast]

I really don't know why you'd even use such a piece of crap browser anyway.

 

[Syntax Error]

I miss Netscape.

But really 1% is too much for any version of IE.

I hate going on to a friends comp when they need something fixed and seeing IE as their only browser.

As they say, IE is the BEST BROWSER... For downloading other browsers.

 

[SnowyGamester]

I like to live dangerously so its Internet Explorer for me.

In all honesty I havn't had any trouble with the recent incarnations other than a virus that got through once, after which I switched to firefox which was noticeably slower to start up gave me the same damn virus from the same damn site, to which I proclaimed, "MORE SECURE MY ASS!" Soon after, Internet Explorer proceeded to update itself and not be vulnerable, while firefox did not.

But using IE6 is just moronic. Lazy business and the computer illiterate are doing bad things to the interwebs. Well not really...its mostly only them that suffer. Though IE9 probably isn't the best idea considering the stability of 7 and 8 when they were first released.

 

[Sonic Doctor]

Fuck yeah Google Chrome all the way.

I heard that IE9 is worth a little something but I can't use it. Can anyone confirm it? And as someone pointed out, 400 million people aren't going to suddenly stop using it.

I tried using Google Chrome. It may be fast, but the thing is barren when it comes to all the gadgets and gizmos that I use in Firefox.

Google: Fast

Firefox: The Steady Workhorse.

With how much word spreads about how bad security is on the Internet Explorers, I'm surprised people even use them. I browse with Firefox everyday and nothing happens, but every time for some stupid reason I have to use an Internet Explorer, my virus scanner picks up a virus not long after.

 

[chinangel]

I like my IE..for some stupid reason. Meh, I'm not changing it now. I don't really have a need to because it's still working just fine.

 

[sune-ku]

Its about time... I know there's all the businesses that don't want of upgrade because of the costs, but the extra development needed to try and make modern sites IE6 compatible is ridiculous, messy and time-consuming.

In fact it actually means that people end up paying more for less when they get a site made and insist on it working in IE6 and it's actually holding back the web as a whole because the latest stuff can't be used large scale as it doesn't work in IE.

/rant