So, today’s big news was that – after years of rumours – Google has launched it’s own web browser, Google Chrome (Windows only at the moment – grrr!).
At first glance there are some extremely interesting ideas in Chrome; it’s a ground-up reworking of how a web browser should be, created to work well with web apps (like, er, Google Mail, Google Mail and, er, Google Docs) that are an increasing part of our lives.
But all these great ideas and good works just serve to remind me how much I hate Internet Explorer 6 – the bastard child of web browsers and the antithesis of everything Google Chrome stands for.
For the uninitiated, I’ll put things in simple terms: building a web site is like constructing a sentence in English. Put everything in the right order, and people will understand what you mean.
Firefox does. Safari does. Even Internet Explorer 7 does – albeit with an occasional lisp. But Internet Explorer 6? It speaks English in the same way that Dick Van Dyke speaks cockney in “Mary Poppins“.
All your perfectly-placed elements on your web page don’t appear where they should or, indeed, appear at all. And that wonderful effect that your client wants – and, frankly, has seen on another web site, so knows is possible – well, yes, it is *technically* possible… but will either cost them a fortune as you’ll have to do two versions of the site (one for IE6, one for proper browsers) or can’t be seen by users of IE6.
IE6 came out in 2001, so we’re talking about a minute audience surely? God I wish… approximately 25 per cent of all Internet users are still using a browser that is the equivalent of using Logie Baird’s original television to watch an IMAX film.
So, yes, whilst I look forward to playing with Google Chrome, all the leaps and bounds taking place with the digital revolution just serve to remind me of how much of my life – and clients’ money – is wasted making sites work with the abomination that is Internet Explorer 6.
Right, if you’re using IE6 to view this blog, please stop what you’re doing and click one of the links below to download a browser that’s actually good – you’ll be amazed how much more you’ll enjoy your surfing. And you can sleep a little better tonight, knowing that you’ve made my life (and those of everybody else who builds web sites for a living) a little easier. I’ll love you for it.
Firefox. Internet Explorer 7. Safari for Windows.
