ISO50

As you said: we will still have to take the old versions of IE into account, which will probably drag on for another 5 years or so. I’m still running IE6 here consciously, besides Chrome. And for instance the University of Amsterdam, where I’m studying, still uses IE6 too. Not because a lack of money, by the way.

I downloaded IE8 beta and the number of sites that work in IE8 are about 50%. You’re correct that IE6 is the bitch. If the entire internet community would force IE6 into non-existence, developing would be much easier.

IE7 may be a pain in the ass, at least it follows standards closer than 6. I find myself writing hacks for 6 more often than 7.

Maybe we as developers need to make that push and just stop or even slow developing for IE6 users. Maybe we don’t leave out IE6 users but maybe we don’t spend as much time making sure it’s a picture perfect website in IE6 (still fully functioning just not pixel perfect) and instead focus on the big 3 (Firefox, IE7 & 8, Safari/Chrome). Just a thought.

Great article btw.

I installed WIE 8, didn’t like it, I can’t wait for WIE 9

As far as sites that I work on, IE8 is a huge improvement, but I’ve noticed it still has a couple of its own quirks. So, at least the beta I’ve used doesn’t make it as easy as, “code once and have it work in FF, Safari, Opera, IE8, etc.” Getting closer, though.

I just completed my first web design class at school and IE gave me nothing but problems with the standards. Firefox and Safari of course worked like a beautiful charm. I totally understand the IE frustrations and hope IE 8 will take care of all the problems (wishful thinking I’m sure). I was hoping that the guys over at Windows would give up (like there slogan says) and completely get rid of IE (especially 6) and just realize that they don’t have what it takes to make it work like the other browsers. But of course most web designers don’t design for other web designers 96.53% of the time so most viewers to our designed sites don’t know any better and understand our frustrations with IE and they will continue to use it because of…damn.

p.s. Sorry for my vent.

Nice article! I just can’t understand that people are still using internet explorer. I think if they would know why we arent using it they will all use better browsers. If all the designers just stand up and put a big middle finger to IE and make there sites good for the standards.

-Ruben
The reason so many people still use IE is because it comes with their brand new vista desktop and its lovely cornflower blue “e” is familiar. Downloading a NEW browser is totally outside their realm of understanding.

“why do i need new internet? i already have the internet!”

i kid you not i have heard this. a lot.

I noticed though that IE8 does render things properly compared to earlier releases. However, leave it to Microsoft to still keep things screwy with us developers! IE7 has its known set of pains in our side but IE8 (which I have installed but dont really use) has issues rendering white space in the HTML! I had to modify scripts (such as the Adobe Flash Javascript code) to remove whitespace as IE8 takes whitespace literally!

They did improve but Microsoft is still the bain of our existence and most likely always will be!

The new META element that was introduced in IE 8 does work.

Here’s what I currently do and will keep on doing UNTIL IE 8 is out of beta and shipping:

I use the new META element in all of my pages: .

I use a main style sheet for all browsers and I use a special style sheets with hacks for IE 5 through 7 (don’t have to worry about IE 8 because of the META element) using a conditional comment like this: .

The new sites I build once IE 8 is out of beta will probably be the same except that I will remove the META element. That way, IE 5 through 7 will get the special hacks style sheet while IE 8 will only get the same style sheet as other standard compliant browsers (its supposed to be as good… we’ll see…).