Outdated Browser Causes Problems

Last month, more than 300 visitors viewed the CVS Midwest Tape website via outdated browser software. Microsoft originally released Internet Explorer 6 (IE6) in August, 2001; its successor, IE7, released in October, 2006.¹ Thus, IE6 users are viewing the Internet with software that’s been obsolete for nearly five years.

Why Upgrade?
If you’re still using IE6, don’t worry: we’re not here to judge, and you’re not alone by any means. As of June of this year, IE6 still accounts for 3.72% of all U.S. web traffic.² But there’s an effort to change that, encouraging users to upgrade to newer browsing software; interestingly enough, it’s being led by Microsoft itself.³

There are any number of reasons to upgrade, features and security being chief among them. What’s likely most relevant, though, is that many websites have evolved to where they’re no longer compatible with IE6. CVS Midwest Tape's website is among them. We strive to have the best and most user-friendly website for librarians, and IE6 is no longer capable of supporting the technology it takes to provide such an online experience.

What Are My Options?
Fortunately, there are a slew of web browsers that can handle the rapidly evolving, most cutting-edge websites of today. There’s no single right answer; it’s simply a matter of finding one that meets your needs and that you feel comfortable using.


Internet Explorer continues to be the most popular choice, currently holding nearly 53% of the browser market share.⁴ It’s currently on version 8 (IE8), or 9 (IE9) if you’re running the Windows 7 operating system. To download the current version of Internet Explorer, visit http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/internet-explorer/products/ie/home

Or, if you’re so inclined, take one of these other popular browsers for a spin.
Mozilla Firefox: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/fx/
Google Chrome: http://www.google.com/chrome
Apple Safari: http://www.apple.com/safari/
Opera: http://www.opera.com/download/

To aid you in your decision, Top Ten Reviews offers comparisons and reviews for the top ten browsers. If you’re a fan of a particular browser, give us your recommendation in the comments below.

¹ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Explorer
² http://www.sitepoint.com/1-in-5-use-chrome-browser-trends-july-2011/
³ http://www.ie6countdown.com/
⁴ http://www.techspot.com/news/44903-chrome-still-pushing-forward-ie8-falls-below-30-ie6-falls-below-10.html

IE Sliding, Chrome Picking up the Slack

For the first time since 1999, Internet Explorer's share dipped below 60% in the internet browser market. Although Internet Explorer (59.95%) still has a considerable market share advantage over Mozilla Firefox (24.59%) and Google Chrome (6.73%), recent trends indicate it will continue to lose market share. According to data published by Net Applications, users are dropping IE6 and IE7 for other brands, rather than upgrading to the current IE8. And although IE8 continues to grow at a steady rate, it is simply unable to keep up with its predecessors’ losses.¹
The New Face in Town
Perhaps the most surprising development in the browser market has been Google Chrome’s rapid growth. Chrome, which Google released back in September 2008, gained .60 points in April and was the month’s biggest winner in the market share battle.² However, it remains to be seen if Chrome can unseat Firefox as the industry’s runner-up.

The Comeback Kid
With its current crop of browsers sliding, Microsoft is focusing on Internet Explorer 9 and its reputed performance improvements.³ Although IE9 is still several months away from public release, beta testers and curious parties can install its preview model here; (requires Windows Vista or later).

Will Internet Explorer make a comeback with IE9? Will you even use it? Have you ever tried Chrome?
Leave some comments below.


¹http://www.netmarketshare.com/browser-market-share.aspx?qprid=0
²http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2010/05/chrome-continues-surge-as-ie-drops-below-60-market-share.ars
³http://www.conceivablytech.com/796/science-research/internet-explorer-falls-below-60-market-share/