Stop supporting Internet Explorer 6
We are back to one year ago. One year ago, I declared that I was actively blocking visitors who are using Internet Explorer. Read carefully, I said “block”, even though my website back then was displayed properly on IE6. Today, 2009 is coming to an end and since 2001, the release year of IE6, two newer versions of Internet Explorer have been released. With that in mind, can someone tell me why “web people” are still trying to get websites to work in that outdated browser and why consumers are still using it?
Last year, I blocked IE6 users from my website, this time, I am taking an extra step and I will get my clients involved. I will not work to make their websites compatible with Internet Explorer 6 even if they request it and pay for it. No matter how I code my websites, if it happens to be fine on outdated browsers, I will just call it luck.
I am basically giving a good reason for any clients not to choose me to design their website, but you better believe that I feel very good about it. I won’t get the money, but I will certainly get the peace of mind of not having to deal with the bane of the web. Peace of mind will always win over money.
I don’t care that IE6 still holds 25% of the browser market. That 25% is filled with idiots and I’m not working with or for idiots. Large websites such as YouTube are kissing IE6 goodbye, so the people that waste time on YouTube will have to get a good browser anyway.
I want to criticize my fellow web designers, developers and everyone else in the field who still create websites for IE6; you are all sellouts! Stop accepting extra money from a client who wants their website to be viewable on IE6. You, of all people, know better than anyone that Internet Explorer should be gone and scratched off the surface of the web.
Ultimately, the real choice you have to make is whether you want to live in the past or stay in the present to build a great future.
I keep ranting about Internet Explorer 6, so it makes sense that I am able to offer alternatives. Which browser for me is a website that list major browsers that are up to date with today’s web standards. In addition, it also tells you why IE6 is bad.
