How To Help Kill IE6

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sjim
08/08/09

A lot, if not all, webdesigners hate IE6. This version of Internet Explorer was released in late 2001 but still was one of the larger webbrowsers in 2009. This is w3 school's table for this year, as you can see IE7 will probably go under IE6 in the next months:

July 2009

IE7: 15.9%
IE6: 14.4%
IE8: 9.1%
Firefox: 47.9%
Chrome: 6.5%
Safari: 3.3%
Opera: 2.1%

Follow up:

Holding Back The Web

With such a large user-group it is not possible to ignore this version when making websites. This is one of the most difficult and frustrating things (front end) Developers have to deal with on a daily basis. Beyond that, IE 6's support for modern web standards is very lacking, restricting what developers can create and holding the web back.

Webdesigners Unite!

There are several initiatives to kill IE6 collectively. http://www.killie6.com/ is a good example where they ask you to include a script that will recommend visitors that are using this version to update their software.

update your browser version

This is very user friendly but a bit small. This initiative got a great response but did not manage to create a large effect.

The Most recent initiative http://www.ie6nomore.com/ also asks webdevelopers to implement a code to show one of the (more effective) banners that encourage users to download a new version. This campaign got a lot of attention because a number of respected Internet start-up companies have signed onto the campaign.

It is a bit to easy to think that this is just a group of people who envy microsoft and Microsoft products.
Dan Oliver, editor of .net, a UK magazine about Web design:

"This isn't an anti-Microsoft campaign, Microsoft makes some fantastic products. The latest version of their browser is a good browser. But with regards to IE 6 ... [it] is an awful browser and no one should be using it."

He added: "Ultimately, we've kind of waited long enough. That's why there's a big movement of support for it because the geeks out there have known about this for years and have been waiting for big sites to jump on and push it forward."

In a statement to CNN, Microsoft said it also wants people to turn away from IE 6.

If you are a webdesigner, please join in and visit http://www.ie6nomore.com/ , get yourself a banner and help kill IE6.

Sources:
- CNN.com
- Killie6.com
- IE6nomore.com
- W3 schools

Original post: Webdesign Spot Blog

5 comments

# Najja on 08/19/09 at 18:08

Thanks.
I think webdevelopers need to kill IE6. It's a old software. PNG doesn't work in IE6 - PNG is the best picture format for websites... etc...

I will add this code onto my blog. :)

# Xtence on 10/01/09 at 11:12

It's about time IE6 is gone, but unlike webdesigners, many IT-developers like IE6 very much, why? because of the troubles with secrity in all newer browsers, Ie6 is very easy due the lack of it.
When upgrading the browser, many programs have a security issue, IE7 in Vista blocking the most of custom-written programs and for some reasons many have the same with firefox.
A secure web means nightmares for programmers who don't work in .net.

# c0de on 01/03/10 at 15:07

"The latest version of their browser is a good browser." = i dont think so ^^
But yeah our Problem is the IE6, i like those Scripts which remember the User to talk better software ^^ I've Bookmarkted them. And i dont think IE6 is more Secure than other Browsers like Opera ...

# ireng_ajah on 01/27/10 at 09:30

Firefox still my primary web browser. Sometimes i feel angry with IE cos my templates cant work as well in IE

# Sander on 01/28/10 at 21:26

Yeah, IE6 is a horrible browser. I still have it on one of my computers in the recording studio and it's amazing to see how it renders some websites.
But in general, I think it's about time this browser is put to rest: neat websites need so many hacks to be able to render acceptable in this browser.

Enter the AnswerGarden: What's the worst browser?
http://answergarden.ch/?id=68

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