When was the last time you used a piece of software for 8 years? Or in fact, any piece of technology for that long? Can you imagine then, supporting this product for the last 8 years, with technology moving on around it? This is what Microsoft have done - and have announced they will continue doing this until 2014. But the underlying question is - why? As we approach IE6's anniversary in August, we can reflect that was a solid browser at the time, and leaps and bounds better than its previous incarnations. To this degree, I must admit only upgrading myself less than a year ago - and only to version 7. I've been a strong advocate of cross-browser development, and IE6 has always been part of our testing stable. Perhaps it's also the feeling we're getting from some of our clients of being stuck in a comfort zone, which may be part of the resistence in upgrading. From an IT point of view, I can understand Microsoft's motive for doing this. I'm sure there are still installations of Windows for Workgroups still kicking around in a basement somewhere - another product from Redmond that enjoyed a 15 year life cycle. However these types of things are much less likely to influence the progress of technology outside. I've heard the classic "Well, it's different in a business/corporate/[insert IT jargon here] environment" excuse, but how is this relevant for browsers? As web browsers are such an outward facing platform, the web development world has to bow to the whims of many browsers. And there are many whims in IE6. So with Microsoft continuing to support IE6 users, progress in web technology slows down. By discontinuing support we can put the final nail in the coffin and move on. So where's the marketing angle to this? By hanging on to IE6, we are held back with web and online design as well as the roll-out of other really cool rich media and interactivity. HTML 5 which is already supported by many of the latest browsers promises many cool new features: Embedded video and audio, drag-and drop, off-line web applications, logical content blocks (opening up new potential in search-engine friendliness) - all out of the box without facny plugins. And don't forget CSS 2+ (did someone say "Alpha transparency"?). As great as IE6 was, designers and developers are now finding themselves increasingly being held back with what they can do because of this now well-and-truly legacy product. And now they're taking a stand. Even Microsoft are saying "Friends do not let friends use IE6". So I'm saying this to you now. Please. Upgrade.
Yes yes yes! Destroy.
d357r0y everything
The problem of IE is the network effect associated with its users. Since corporate IT depts still insist on using IE6 despite its massive security shortcomings, and also us web developers continuing to use it, then MS will continue to support it while there's a userbase.
Everyone knows that IE6 needs to die. But it's us as digital professionals that need to make a collective stand to our clients and say "enough is enough: use IE6 for your legacy apps that only work with it, alongside a proper browser that your users can use for general browsing of the internet and in a more secure manner.
Also, at least one other web giant is taking the bull by the horns, and MS aren't happy, but it's a necessary move: code.google.com/.../chromeframe
Dan Ma
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