There isn’t a decent web developer alive that doesn’t harbor a deep-seated hatred for Internet Explorer. For years we have dreamed about the day when we could cast off the shackles of developing for the users who are struck with a browser that predates web 2.0. We developers don’t know anyone who still uses IE6; if we did, we probably wouldn’t talk to them.
Word has recently come down of two major companies discontinuing support for Internet Explorer 6. First, it was noted that Apple’s MobileMe would work only in IE7 (and Safari and Firefox, of course). Now, 37signals has announced they are stopping support and testing for IE6 begining August 15:
The Internet Explorer 6 browser was released back in 2001, and Internet Explorer 7, the replacement, was released nearly two years ago in 2006. Modern web browsers such as IE 7, Firefox, and Safari provide significantly better online experiences. Since IE 6 usage has finally dipped below a small minority threshold of our customers, it’s time to finally move beyond IE 6. [emphasis added]
We aren’t dropping support for IE6 on any Walker pages quite yet, it still makes up about 25% of our users on walkerart.org, but the day will come. That day, not too far from now, we’ll be able to declare our long developer emergency over. Bigger players like Apple and 37signals will help make that day sooner.
DEATH TO IE 6!!!!
I cant believe its still around! How long does it take to change over to a new version permanently. geez
Comment by Jessica — 7/4/2008 @ 12:46 pm
Sometimes I wonder if the internet has given us more freedom or if it has become just another means of control?I am with you Jessica, death to the internet
Comment by Jane — 7/5/2008 @ 7:12 pm
I can’t wait for the day to begin ignoring this hack inducing browser. But, sadly, I think us educational developers will have to continue to test/develop for it for some time. The teacher and schools community lags so far behind in technology updates and often keeps us in old tech for a while after the rest of the world has moved on.
Comment by bryan kennedy — 7/7/2008 @ 9:06 am
Unfortunately, IE 6 will likely be a browser we have to deal with for quite a while longer. If we build sites that connect with the general public we can’t ignore 1/4 of our visitors. Basecamp can say “no” since most of their audience are developers who only use IE 6 for testing.
We check in at:
http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_stats.asp
periodically to see the latest stats and IE 6 seems to drop about one percentage point per-month, but it seems likely that IE 5 will be a factort-above 10% for at least another 18 months. It will be nice to say goodbye to IE 6–but of course we have IE 7 VIsita left to deal with!
Comment by Jim Spadaccini — 7/22/2008 @ 3:46 pm
I’m coming into this late, but would just like to note, we said the same thing about IE 3, 4 and 5 when we just wanted them to go away already. A few years from now we’ll be wishing the same for IE 7.
Comment by Brent Gustafson — 8/18/2008 @ 12:17 pm