Every web designer wrestles with supporting multiple browsers. I often wonder what the internet looks like to those still using the tab-less IE6. I imagine it’s petty bad.
The use of IE6 has become such a huge problem, that even Microsoft began pushing for the extermination of their own antiquated browser. So far, more modern browsers, like Firefox and Safari, have ducked away from browser disdain.
Until, now.
Google has gotten very serious about supporting only “modern” browsers.
Google announced that they will only support current and prior major releases of Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome and Safari – on a rolling basis!
Here’s how it works:
- When a new version is released, Google will stop supporting the 3rd oldest version.
As of August 1, 2011, Google will discontinue support for the following browsers and their predecessors: Internet Explorer 7, Firefox 3.5, and Safari 3. In these older browsers you may have trouble using certain features in Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Talk, Google Docs, and Google Sites. The company also said that eventually these apps may stop working entirely in older browsers.
This isn’t the first time Google has kicked browsers in the teeth. Back in 2009, Google pulled-the plug on IE6, however, this latest move is the first time they’ve put older versions of Firefox, Safari, as well as their own – Chrome, in the cross-hairs.
IT Pros take note!
If you haven’t taken an aggressive approach to ensuring everyone is using the most current browser, you may want to start, now.
With Google making these bold moves, it will make it even easier for other websites and web apps to adhere to these standards, something they may have been afraid to do in the past.
Google has raised the standard, again, and I applaud them for it!
[via TechSpot]
Marcus Williamson says
Whoa. Way to rock it Google
Eric Dye says
😉
Walter Wimberly says
Oh boy. This is going to be a nightmare for IT staff.
One place I worked couldn’t upgrade to IE7 right away because the third party web based time clock didn’t work with it. Took them about 6 months to get the update from the app provider, get it tested to make sure it integrated with payroll software, and then allow people to start upgrading.
Another place I’ve worked, the back end to one of the apps I used works in IE 7, mostly in 8, but not in 9.
I keep IE 7 on my personal machine for testing purposes. (I’ve got IE 8 on another machine for testing.) My freelance clients can’t afford to not support old browsers. They need too be accessible to every potential client/customer they can. I guess I just won’t be using Google for as many things if they completely break things.
Eric Dye says
I think Microsoft is going to have to make some smooth moves.
Nate Tallman says
My question for your clients would be, what is the *actual* traffic from older browsers? You may discover that the increased resources you’re spending supporting older browsers isn’t worth the nominal gain you may get by supporting them.
My typical user is one that is extremely slow to update (public schools), and they have finally started to catch up to the rest of the world.
Eric Dye says
Good thoughts, and I think that’s why Google made this move. It was starting to hold them back, and it simply wasn’t worth it.
Alex Humphrey says
Really good point. Maybe a forced upgrade is a good thing for the company. It’s certainly an advantage to those using the older browsers…
Eric J says
Because of their policy i put a dismiss-able alert on our website for ie7 stating that it is five years old and time to upgrade.
http://graceinauburn.com use ietester to check it out.
Eric Dye says
Awesome.
Chuck says
a LOT of large enterprises still use IE 7 (some still use IE 6) for a number of reasons, but mostly because of legacy code issues. Google will just lose any of that traffic, but I doubt they are much bothered by it.
Eric Dye says
True.
Eric J says
The large enterprise in our town (A Fortune 50 company) has ie6 installed on every desktop for their intranet, and also the employee’s can download firefox from their internal software center to actually get a full web experience. A friend of mine said that a long time ago people figured out that you had to install firefox to be able to do anything online.
Eric Dye says
Anything.