Google Is Dropping IE6 Support – So Should You

A few weeks back you may have read some articles regarding Google, Adobe and others being victims of an IE exploit. Microsoft recommended its users stop using IE6 and IE7 now due to a security loop hole (original Microsoft Security Advisory). I am sure this only encouraged Google to finalize their decision to drop support for IE6 on March 1 for the Google Docs Suite and Google Sites, the rest to follow later in 2010, we hope IE7 will be soon to follow as well. There are a lot of issues with IE6 and I am sure many developers could support me in saying that it is an inefficient browser and a time sink for current development standards. This is a 2 part series, focusing on some details and information first and following up next week with the benefits of following in Google’s footsteps in dropping IE6 support. 

Why is Google dropping IE6 support?

Google states that they are dropping support for IE6 primarily for its shortcomings with modern web technologies, which is a darn good reason. I cannot help but imagine that their recent hit with the IE exploit was a contributing factor here as well. In their official announcement regarding the IE6 support drop, they argued that the web is an ever changing thing and that older browsers cannot support newer web technologies efficiently, or in some cases at all. And I could not agree more, because it is true.

Some IE6 tidbits

IE6 was released on August 27, 2001… that is over 8 years ago, that is a lifetime in tech. I am still amazed and baffled that people still use this browser, especially with newer versions available. I know that when it came out it was cutting edge, but web technologies are constantly changing and progressing, and if you do not keep up then you get left in the dust.

The IE6 market share has been consistently dropping, and contiues to do so. With roughly 10% of the market share today; the numbers are slightly less in US and Europe. One of the main reasons the market share is still as high as it is, for such an archaic browser, is that when it was originally released a lot of developers took advantage of the many proprietary Microsoft technologies not part of formal browsers.

What does this mean? Well – here in 2010, the same people that took advantage of those technologies are stuck with them, not being supported by anything but IE. IE6 does not comply with modern web standards and is insecure as stated by Microsoft themselves. It is an old and unsafe browser, trying to fight with sticks and stones in the Iron Age of the web.

What dropping IE6 could mean for the web

The first thing that comes to mind is a better and more fulfilling user experience. Along with the increased growth of more modern technologies. Look at Google for example, they are just now finally dropping support for IE6. Imagine what their services might have been like, if this had occurred 1 year ago, 2 years ago. More sites dropping IE6 support would allow modern technologies to flourish. Sites would become more lean and sexy, able to use some newer development technologies available for efficiently, which I will talk about in part 2 next week.

Website owners would save time and money on their development costs. Designers could be set free and not be put in an IE6 shaped box. It would mean more secure browsing, good for businesses, schools, etc. Sure there are many companies that would need to update their intranet to not rely on IE’s proprietary technologies, but they will need to sooner or later.

Why you should drop it too

Better user experience, better security, help you save money, help to encourage its passing… There are many companies that have already dropped support for IE6. We here at digital-telepathy have. While we will still develop for it if absolutely necessary by the needs of the client, it won’t go without a recommendation against it and around 20% additional development time quoted. If more sites, larger ones like Google, drop IE6 support, then I can see websites start to flourish and the user experience all around start improving. Supporting IE6 only encourages users and companies to still use it.

Conclusion

IE6 is an old and inefficient browser. Come and help encourage IE6 users to get a better user experience by dropping support for IE6. Check back next week for Part 2 of this post where I will share with you in further detail:

• Why this is beneficial to you as a website owner
• Further details why you should drop IE6 support too
• Better user experience for all if IE6 is dropped
• and more

Resources

• Browser Stats
• Google’s Announcement
• Microsoft’s Warning
• Microsoft’s Security Advisory
• Google says Bye-bye to IE6 (geardiary.com)
• Opposition to Internet Explorer 6 snowballs (v3.co.uk)
• IE flaw gives hackers access to user files, Microsoft says (infoworld.com)