Browsers, can't we all just get along?

[havik]

Hey everyone, how you doing?

I was just curious and wanted to know everyone's primary web browser, or your preference if you have to use a certain kind of browser. Just to get everyone started my primary browser is IE6, but there was a time when I used NS6 only. Actually, that was about the time I joined this forum, then I started to realize that there are still lots of web developers out there who don't take NS into consideration.

So given the fact that I cannot change the world ( or can I...;) ), I started to use IE more often. However, being a responsible web developer, I test my code with all browsers I can get my grubby little hands on.

I'd be really interested to see what the results of this are and where the conversation leads to.

Havik

[AdamGundry]

I used to be IE only, but I got fed up with its buggy standards compliance and wanted to test on a wider range. I now use Mozilla (http://www.mozilla.org) as well, which I believe is a much better browser - it looks better, is faster, has better standards support, more features, etc, etc...

Incidentally, I now use Mozilla as my main browser and only use IE for testing compatibility.

Up open source! :cool:

Adam

[Jona]

Well, my primary browser has always been the latest version of Internet Explorer, and still is. I just like the way it does everything.. And it has a lot more to offer than Netscape. Mainly because you can't compare Sun Microsystems, Inc and Netscape with Microsoft... I used to dislike Netscape to such an extent that I purposely made scripts that would not work for it, but would work for IE. However, I've learned that there are many people who use Netscape (...Khaki? :p), so I started learning to script for it. Unfortunately scripting for the browser becomes difficult at times, because you have to do browser detection and re-write your code for IE, Netscape4, Netscape6, and Netscape 7, instead of just IE and Netscape. Which makes me upset at times (and was the main reason for such dislike first off). I would have more on my computer than just IE6 if I had room. I'm going to buy a slave-drive for my laptop and load NN4, NN6, NN7, Mozilla, and IE4 on it--that is, if I can find IE4. :)

[JackTheTripper]

I have I.E. 5.5 which I use primarily. But also have NS4.7, NS6, NS7 and Mozilla for testing purposes. I've found that pretty much anything that works in IE5.5 also works in NS6/7. I hardly ever open Mozilla unless someone brings up a specific bug.

We'll be abandoning support for NS 4.7 as soon as I get off my lazy but and change the nessessary code. We have so few hit's from NS4 that anyone who wants to view our site with it will either have to upgrade or will be looking at a really ugly site. Of course, they'll get a little message saying "Hey! Upgrade or something, cause if ya don't it's gonna be real ugly" (Or something like that) just before the site loads.

[Rifter72]

I started with Netscape 4.7 but went to IE when N6 kept crashing my system. I now use IE6 primarily but I do have Mozilla and Opera for testing purposes. However, I've been using Opera quite a bit lately, just testing all of its features to see if maybe I'll like it better than IE.

[khalidali63]

Originally posted by JackTheTripper
........I've found that pretty much anything that works in IE5.5 also works in NS6/7 ...

partially true.if you have any code that uses event capturing,DOM methods or even some CSS properties,
IE lags faaaar behind NS6+(Mozilla).

My Main browser have been mozilla for lat 3 yrs at least....before that it was NS4+,

I may be an optimist,but I think soon IE will catchup in standard compliance with NS(mozilla) and aprt from minor deviations we will be able to write prety standard.

BTW mozilla rules,open source rocks...:-)

Hey Adam do you use any particular skin for you r Mozilla?

I am hooked on to Lo-Fi classic...

[AdamGundry]

I'm afraid I'm rather boring, and just use the Modern theme. I should update it, but I'm happy with Mozilla the way it is, and always forget about looking for a good new theme.

Can you recommend any?

Adam

[Robert Wellock]

Mozilla Phoenix or the Mozilla 1.x Development Suite out of preference since the M$ CSS support is atrocious, also Mozilla tends to be faster.

Although I do use Opera 6.0, 7.x, Netscape 4.7x and 7.0, Micro$oft IE 5.0 and IE 6.0 and JAWS for Windows but mainly for testing purposes.

[havik]

Ok, now obviously all browsers and their versions have differences. But does anyone have any stats or know of any kept on browser compatability?

Something like so (just an example :D)

"70% of sites built exclusively for IE work on Opera"

I will be getting Mozilla, Opera and more versions of IE and NS soon, since it appears thats the best way to do things.

Havik

[khalidali63]

Originally posted by AdamGundry
...............
Can you recommend any?
.........
Adam

How about trying Lo-Fi classic,its (my opinion-believe me I tried all of them)
It uses very little real estate on top (menu bars-tool bars-address bars etc),
and you can get it for upto Moz 1.3 versions.Ites extremely simple and yet modern...( damn it sounds like I wrote it..lol)

http://themes.mozdev.org/themes/lofi.html

[khaki]

WOW!!!
I really cannot comprehend how this thread has slipped past my detection for well over 24 hours! lol Jona wrote: However, I've learned that there are many people who use Netscape (...Khaki? ), so I started learning to script for it.YES......
I use Netscape 7.0 (thanks for mentioning me sweetie!)

I also use (test on) Opera6.02 and I used to use IE5.5 until I completely destroyed my entire OS by deleting it without a substitute (don't ask! :( ).

Now I'm stuck with an error-spewing IE5.0 which - much like most of my OS - is missing vital parts that turns my life on the computer into an uncertain walk down a dark and dangerous alley :eek:

I find that I actually like (prefer?!) Netscape over IE. And that is a VERY significant statement... because I fly the Windows flag just below my Jolly Roger (which flys below my Marine Corps flag, which flys below my Stars and Stripes :) ). * Note to self: I need a bigger flag-pole ;)

And as far as what versions I test for:
anything over v5 is my target.
I won't even apologize for 4.7 exclusions anymore.
(it's easier for a user to upgrade than it is for me to write for something that is that stubborn).

If I may....
since I now know what browsers/versions that you guys have...
is it possible to ask for some pages to be tested with screen-shots and/or usability from time to time?

I think that we can all help each other if we can form a "coalition of the willing" :eek: who is open to doing something like that.

anyway...
it's just a thought :confused:

;) k

[JackTheTripper]

Originally posted by khalidali63
...

partially true.if you have any code that uses event capturing,DOM methods or even some CSS properties,
IE lags faaaar behind NS6+(Mozilla).



OK, never tried that. :D But you basics seem to work across the 2 just fine.

[steven]

i use IE6 and i know that when i check my site stats like 97% of my traffic uses some sort of IE, so yeah, i think a lot of people do.
the only time i use netscape is on school computers. not too fond of it. i stick with IE

[toicontien]

I almost exclusively use Mozilla 1.0. I haven't bothered to upgrade to 1.3 because I haven't come across any major bugs in it. At school I'll use IE on PCs but NS 6 or 7 on Macs if I can get away with it ;)

I've also got NS 4.7, Opera 6.02, and NS 7, on my machine that I test things on.

On the subject of things working in IE 5.x/PC and NS 6 and 7, HUUUUUUGGGGEEE difference in CSS, in certain situations. I've been working on an XHTML and CSS layout for www.cm-life.com and
<rant>
I've come across so many agravating bugs in IE 5.x/PC and Mac that I want to pull out my hair and glue a live, rabid wolverine to my scalp as a replacement.
</rant>

You can view the mock-ups I'm making at http://www.cm-life.com/pages/newdesign/html/.

I could list the bugs I've found so far but that would be another whole subject in and of itself :p

I've got a copy of Opera 7 sitting around and haven't gotten around to installing it yet. Anyone use it? I don't use Opera 6.0x because it still seems buggy, mainly in JavaScript and the DOM, but it doesn't seem to handle legacy HTML pages very well sometimes.

I like it because it's not the RAM hog that Mozilla/NS is. It uses about as much as IE and renders pages quicker. Though disabling themes in NS/Moz seems to cut RAM usage by one half to one third.

RAM usage. That might be a good name for a punk band :D

[havik]

We'll be abandoning support for NS 4.7

I commend you on that and believe that if more people did this then the world will be a better place. Well, NS4 isn't that bad but it tests your patience thats for sure. Sorry if I offended any NS4 users out there. :D (I think gil_davis is one)

Havik