...how many visitors actually use IE? 'cuz it seems to me that a costs/benefits analysis on the Microsoft problem might pencil out better with a "upgrade to an unsucky browser" popup. I mean, if you can't be draconian and obnoxious on a tiny social networking site, where can you be draconian and obnoxious?
I am 100% against internet explorer (especially older versions - the newer ones suck less) but I also understand that there are very few people that choose to use IE. Typically it is by force - at work, on a family member's computer, etc. I never really understood the work thing as older IEs are hopelessly insecure but a lot of webapps and older databases look good in IE8 but load weirdly on newer browsers. IT departments are also lazy and the thought of updating 2000 employees computers to Chrome can be scary. The thought of letting people install their own apps and dealing with 1000 viruses per day is even more scary. It's simply a tough situation. I have used "upgrade your browser" pop ups on a couple of microsites and client sites. On Hubski, I'm against it because the amount of people who are visiting Hubski AND using IE by choice are so miniscule. People like _refugee_ don't have any other option. By including a pop up, we would just be adding insult to their misfortune. I'm sure they already know that they should upgrade their browser. I am not promising to keep the code updated or bugtest Hubski on IE8 for every change we push. But if I can cut some of the most glaring errors so refugee's experience is slightly better, I think it is worth it. To be 100% honest, mk has ignored internet explorer idiosyncrasies since day one. I don't blame him - it's an overwhelming and depressing task to take on after you've spent days and weeks sorting out normal browser / code idiosyncrasies.
I think you are very close to the issue with this comment. At banks, a lot of applications run in your browser. I think they've mostly all been coded for IE, people know they "work" in IE, and I think that is part of what causes this huge ridiculous lag. whenever we upgrade an OS or a browser it's a Big Fucking Deal. I have to think it's somehow related to the applications we use in day-to-day work (which can be pretty sensitive) and potential upgrade issues there. Also, there's not a single bank I've worked in that doesn't still use DOS systems at some point. Banks be old school as fuck, yo. But I will be getting Chrome! So like I said...don't worry about me too much.a lot of webapps and older databases look good in IE8 but load weirdly on newer browsers
I heard on the radio the other day that it's estimated that something like 60% of internet browsing is still done on IE. I'm sure these are mostly old people tooling around Facebook, and soccer moms buying crap on Overstock.com. Obviously, that's not the set we cater to, but we do have a handful of users who still use IE. I think _refugee_ has mentioned that her work mandates it. Sucks for her. If there's anyone insom would fix the CSS for though, it'd be her. Otherwise, I'd agree that "fuck 'em" is the best approach here.
60% of internet browsing is still done on IE
It's not that bad.
That graph looks like a good overall breakdown. What's more interesting is how the browser stats change from site to site. Good web developers take the demographics of the specific site into consideration when determining which features to use and what browsers to code for first - just like marketers and copywriters chose the language and medium they use. I don't have the exact stats in front of me but Hubski has a very low percentage of IE users. My work's site (we sell b2b products) as well as the site we developed for internal coke employees is extremely high: up to 70% are on IE some days. The discrepancies are even more dramatic for email marketing. Typically, 80% of opens from my work's email marketing are opened in Outlook. Maybe 2 or 3 are for Hubski Newsletter. It makes sense since we are selling b2b so everyone on that list should be someone at their job who would buy our products and offices overwhelming use Outlook.
Honestly I would expect it's a lot of work people too. I've been at three different banks in the past 4 years and the current one is the only one that even allows you to have other web browsers. (And thank god for that.) I haven't even bothered bringing up the IE problems because I know they're problems with IE and possibly not even worth fixing. Insom has encouraged me to try to get my workplace to switch browsers but in a company of 40,000 people (and see below comment where I reply to insom) I ain't makin big enough waves to talk to the right people. Nor do I work in tech - and tech probably knows it's a problem.
You're right. I would do anything for refugee! I literally gave her the shirt off my back. :P If there's anyone insom would fix the CSS for though, it'd be her