The definition of a web site that refuses to upgrade is one that does not "understand" anything other than Internet Explorer 6 or 7. For many this is a constant source of frustration for three very good reasons:
- Internet Explorer 8 has been in existence for almost seven months at the time of this writing. The administrators of these "IE only" web sites couldn’t figure out how to write in support for 8 in this span of time? Apparently not.
- Many choose not to use IE, but they’re out of luck when certain web sites will only support IE 6/7 and nothing else.
- Windows 7 comes provided with IE 8 (unless you’re in the UK.) These computers will be on the shelves very soon and in come places already are. What does one do in that situation since they can’t "degrade" to IE 7 or 6 just to get certain web sites to work?
There are two ways to get around problematic web sites like this.
Method 1. Using IE 6 or 7 in WINE for Linux
WINE has had the ability to run a whole bunch of different IEs for some time now. Versions 1 all the way thru 8 are available, but the ones you would be interested in for compatibility’s sake are 6 and 7.
The only problem you may encounter running IE this way is that certain plugins for IE may not work when used in WINE. This is rare, but it can happen if it’s some ActiveX oddball plugin or something like that.
Method 2. Windows 2000 or XP virtual PC
On my Windows 7 desktop I purposely keep a barebones setup of XP running with IE 6 in VirtualBox. When I upgraded to Win 7 I already had an existing fully licensed copy of XP Professional Edition, so that’s what I have used in the virtual PC.
In Windows you have three major choices for computer virtualization, that being the aforementioned VirtualBox, Microsoft’s Virtual PC or VMware. I choose VirtualBox because it operates exactly the same in Windows, Mac or Linux – and I truly like that kind of compatibility because no matter what OS I’m on, VirtualBox is always familiar. However you may like Virtual PC or VMware better as far as your personal preferences are concerned. I will say the easiest of the bunch is Microsoft’s version because it’s very straightforward – but it only works under Windows.
Setting up your virtual PC with IE 6 or 7, and other notes
If you have a fully licensed OEM disc of Microsoft Windows XP, such as I do, this comes with IE 6 as its bundled web browser. What I’ve done in my virtual XP PC is used Microsoft Update to patch up every single thing I possibly could except the browser. This can be done easily. What I have is an XP that does have IE 6 for those web sites that absolutely refuse to work right with anything else.
VirtualBox running XP Professional Edition with the IE 6 browser
A bunch of updates in the virtual PC with XP, including Service Pack 3 – but still on IE 6
It is the fortunate case that web sites that are IE6-only are dwindling slowly but surely off the internet, but instead of embracing multi-browser capability, they’re latching on to IE 7 which is just as bad.
For the time being, I use a virtual XP with IE 6 and if I have to go to 7, this can be downloaded without going to 8 with XP, and I’m sure Microsoft will be keeping this download on their web site for at least a few more years.
Even if you are running XP with IE 8 now and plan to stick with that for a while, you can still use Virtual PC or VirtualBox to install another Windows XP (assuming you have another legal licensed copy) with IE 6 or 7. This will work fine.
The only thing you cannot do is have both IE 7 and 8 in the same Windows OS at the same time. While that would be really great if you could do that, it’s simply not an option. The easiest workaround is to have a virtual PC with a previous-generation browser.
For those of you out there who do not have another legal copy of Windows, my suggestion is to use VirtualBox and install a distribution of Linux, such as Ubuntu, and use IE 6 or 7 via WINE. Most distributions make this very easy to install, and I may even write up another article on how to do just that so it’s even easier for you.
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I think the problem lies in the vast array of browsers available and the fact that some of them have bugs that affect their display of a website.
How do you deal with it? Stop going to it. Eventually traffic will drop to the point where the owner might get a clue.
You do realize that sites with no traffic end up shut down. Look at Geocities. Great idea if that’s what you’re after.
You best bet is to email the webmasters of any specific problems you are having. It’s very hard to track issues like that on large sites. Plus, with IT departments more “minimalist” than usual, there is less staff available to work on them. Ultimately, the business has to decide between spending money on new features or on making the website work like it always has.
To me, the biggest culprit is the browsers like IE that suddenly change the way the browser works. Quit ragging on the businesses that have to spend money because of this just to keep the lights on.
I will agree, though, a lot of sites will put browser checks just because they don’t know if it works on different browsers. I’ve seen this a lot using Chrome. There are less issues than you might expect. At worst, they should put “This site best in IE X” and let your user decide if it works for them.
“You best bet is to email the webmasters of any specific problems you are having. It’s very hard to track issues like that on large sites.”
Why would it be the users responsibility to inform them of their problems? Why don’t they just download the new browser and then go look at their own website using the new browser?
“Why would it be the users responsibility to inform them of their problems?”
because things get overlooked, I was maintaining a website for a small town a few years ago, where each business who agreed had a link to their own respective page and/or a page was created for them in the case of being non existant.
long story short, I’d messed up the code for the link of the local real estate firm, and I wouldnt have spotted it unless I’d been told specifically that it didnt work correctly.
Um, if you’re using Firefox there’re plugins that simulate Internet Explorer available, such as Coral IE Tab.
Exactly right, Jase.
You can be helpful to the webmasters, or you can be militant, your choice. I’m just saying, the militant route will more likely result in the website being shut down rather than upgraded.
On even an average sized website, there could be 100s of pages to mull through. That takes time and money, and the business case for we need to do this “so it works like it always has” is not an easy think for decision makers to swallow. And even if they do, forget to click one button on one page that doesn’t work, and maybe they’ve missed something that’s important to you.
Good points and I tend to agree. Any outside help is useful, but I do not think that puts any less responsibility on the webmaster to make sure his website is compatible with the newer browsers. That’s called staying competitive and doing this always costs money. Free help is nice but don’t depend on it in order to stay in business.
Hey, I’m with you. Just realize, it’s not always an option.
As the sole IT person for a small company with 6 websites, I can tell my boss I need time to ensure compatibility. At the moment, with pressing projects, that’s not going to happen. BUT, if I have emails with customers or potential customer complaints, that speaks a whole lot louder.
As part of my business I practically live on browsers. 90% of the time is on Firefox and 9.99% on Chrome. The other .01% is on IE. Furthermore, in the last 3 months I haven’t used it at all until last week when I couldn’t connect to one particular site – IE couldn’t cut it either because the site was the problem. Any company, organization or person with an IE optimized web site needs to get out of the dark ages – it’s not even difficult.
In the next year and beyond I expect my IE usage to drop by 2 decimal places regardless of what version of bloated IE (or whatever masquerade Microsoft re-brand it as) is available.
The thought of dual booting, virtulizing or using WINE just so I can run IE is quite bizarre (even though I can do all three if I ever have some (currently and unlikely forseeable) need is just mental torture.
For a little brainfood – check out anybrowser.org/campaign/
Both the website and browser should comply with HTML (and other) standards. A website should not have to adjust itself to non-compliant browsers. Or make special code for certain browsers.
If a browser is not compatible, the browser should adjust itself, not the site!
The problem to me seems to be Microsoft assuming that everyone will conform with the needs of their programmes instead of writing programmes that work with what is actually there. It’s ridiculous that a new browser won’t read older sites. Why should a site have to completely upgrade just because Microsoft decides to produce a programme that won’t read it. And why should website designers optimise their sites for IE?
Anyway, if website designers conformed to web standards, this problem wouldn’t arise.
My advice – use Firefox. It’s a lot smarter.