Our Data CenterAccording to the BBC News website – Technology news – Google has decided to phase out support for IE6 in some of its ‘applications,’ including Google Docs and Google Sites.
The article states that 20% of web users still use the browser that was first launched in 2001, includes government department, despite Windows incessant desire to update everything all the time.
Developers, it turns out, want the browser phased out so that they can develop stuff for newer browsing technologies. At the moment not many websites created for lower resolutions, nor people trying to create WAP versions of websites, so why should developers spend their time creating feature-rich websites for IE6!
Governments in other countries have recommended users switch browser completely, following a series of security flaws being discovered in the ever popular Microsoft product which, amongst other things, allowed the Chinese government to hack Google Mail accounts. It’s hardly a glowing recommendation for a product, especially when it took Microsoft so long to repair the flaw.
Should users stick with IE (in any of its last three incarnations)? Will Firefox continue its slow rise to the top? Is Chrome ever going to be a contender? Time will tell…