Internet Explorer 6

[azkul]

Internet Explorer 6 is outdated and no longer supported by Microsoft. It doesn't support web standards. What this means is that every website has to create their web pages to work with the current browsers and then spend additional time making it also work for IE6. This is a drain on resources and makes it more expensive to create a website (thus prices are higher across the web because of this).

Currently 8% of TLF visitors use IE6, and in the past, we've viewed 5% as the magic number to stop supporting a browser. We're almost there.

If you're still using IE6 (which was created over 9 years ago), please upgrade. Internet Explorer 8 is Microsoft's current browser. You can upgrade by visiting: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

Firefox 3.5.5 is a fantastic browser and is available here: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/personal.html (By the way, 14% are still using Firefox 3.0 and should consider upgrading to 3.5 - Firefox will automatically update you to the latest sub-revision (3.0.14 to 3.0.15), but won't automatically upgrade you to a 1/2 or full revision (3.0 to 3.5).

Safari, Chrome, and Opera are also excellent options. Each of these complies to the standards, which makes life much easier when programming a website.

If we as an Internet Community can finally get rid of IE6, it'll save untold millions of dollars in development costs (every website on the net has to deal with this problem).

There are also benefits to you. The current browser versions are much more safe to browse the web on. How many of you have gotten a virus from the internet at some point in your life? The new browsers are safer to use in this regard. One of my clients recently had a virus spread through their network. Every IE6 user got infected. No Firefox user was infected. That company exclusively uses Firefox now.

Thanks!
Brian

[bubbalinn]

Hi Brian,

I sorta understand the problem, you computer guys just gotta keep changing things LOL.. My problem is I have Windows ME and can't even upgrade from 6 to 8 and the same with firefox, they laugh at my computer... I haven't tried the other ones you mentioned but I have that feeling they will be the same ME haters.

I have been using my laptop with XP IE8 and Firefox more and more, I also noticed that Youtube is ending support for IE6. Every time I think about getting a new computer something happens, oh well I still have five or six years left in my old computer ROFL.. Maybe I can get everyone in the world to send me fifty cents that would do it...

[azkul]

Wow... you're using Windows ME? That's a blast from the past. I'm surprised your computer is still working. Have you had it for like 10 years?

Yep, we computer guys gotta keep upgrading everything. It keeps us in business

I realize there are a few cases where one simply can't upgrade their browser, so the message is meant to help educate those that can upgrade, but just haven't yet.

A new computer that'll be good enough for what you need is about $500 now. I priced a Dell Inspiron - Athlon 2.8ghz, 4GB Ram, 320GB HD, ATI Radeon HD 4350 512MB, Wireless NIC, Vista Basic, DVD writer for $468. This would work for everything except games.

Here's a killer PC for $500: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...54&Sku=SYX-2012 - it's a Systemax with an Athlon 64 processor, Vista Premium, 2 1TB Hard drives, 6GB Ram, ATI Radeon HD 3200 - This one is a lot better than the Dell. It would handle all but the most intensive games.

Maybe we should start a donation drive to get you a new PC. I'd pitch in. Anybody else wanna help Alan out?

[azkul]

Hey, Alan. I thought you might get a kick out of this...

Windows ME represents 0.01% of the visits to TLF (4 total over the last 30 days). I think you might be the last ME user on the planet.

0.80% still uses Windows 98 and 0.72% still uses Windows 2000. These operating systems can't upgrade past IE6 either, so there are a few left that are stuck until they buy a new computer.

Also, to clarify, IE6 will still "work" on this website. However, some of the page layout might look wrong. A graphic might be too far to the right, or there might be too much empty space somewhere.

I'm serious about helping you get a new computer, btw.

[bubbalinn]

Hi Brian, Thanks very much for wanting to help me out with my computer upgrade, your way too kind.. I'm working on getting something before summer. Thanks also on the computer suggestions, I should just break down and use my credit card.. Being retired on a fixed income and the prices of things going up doesn't help. Then I have a addiction of buying camera stuff LOL..

Thanks for the morning laugh about being the last one on the planet using ME ROFLMAO ...
I have learned a lot about keeping computers running with the worst operating system on the planet. There is one other person using ME, it my wife. Her computer is a old dell and has ME on it. She does sit next to me a lot using my laptop instead of her computer in the bedroom... I need to get two new computers to get the wife out of my space LOL..

I really don't remember what year we bought this computer, it has been a while.
http://www.fixya.com/support/p356403-compa...s_d70008_261_pc
The one before this was a Compaq Presario 2256 that died, you set the monitor on top of it, it sat horizontal instead of vertical like now.

Here is my first computer that I still have with the monitor, and it still works. I even upgraded it with a ? that was the same shape as the keyboard/computer that slid onto the side. I even have the extra drive and joy sticks for playing the high tech games using two cards at the same time ROFL.. Oh and a few hundred floppies? the little square cards LOL..
http://www.vintage-computer.com/amiga500.shtml

[azkul]

Yep, here's the story on YouTube and their move to reduce the # of available IE6 users:

http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/07/14/youtu...upport-goodbye/