Kenneth Ismert
kismert at gmail.com
Wed Aug 12 13:01:21 CDT 2009
Mark Simms: > Bingo. In my first webdev project using Javascript and cookies, > I had to code all sorts of case logic to handle not only the different > browser behavior... > but also the COMBINATION of browser and operating system. > It was a huge hassle. Took forever to test. Which is why I recommend using a Javasript framework. Rule of thumb: your Javascript should either be so simple that it runs on all platforms without platform detection, or you should use a framework that abstracts away all of the platform differences. If you use AJAX, use a framework. Also, with modern HTML and CSS, you can accomplish many tasks that required Javascript in years past. > Bottomline: each browser can render a web page differently. > Problem: no common rendering "engine". All modern browsers pass the Acid2 test: http://www.webstandards.org/action/acid2/ And most make significant inroads on Acid3: http://www.webstandards.org/action/acid3/ The point is, things are significantly better now with modern browsers. Your development experience back then does not have to be repeated today. Stuart McLachlan: > The LCD at present would have to be IE6. The LCD is what you choose it to be. There is significant push-back on IE6: Googles Orkut social network is phasing out support for IE6: http://www.technewsworld.com/story/IE6-Dead-Browser-Walking-67840.html http://stuff.techwhack.com/7086-orkut-ie6 Digg is considering the same, sparking protests from MS: http://technologizer.com/2009/08/11/should-microsoft-kill-ie6/ http://www.crn.com/software/219200327;jsessionid=2FOP5F3GR525XQE1GHOSKHWATMY32JVN There is even a site dedicated to moving away from IE6: http://www.ie6nomore.com/ As the web becomes a more hostile place, even corporate installations, the last remaining bulwark of IE6 users, can't ignore the numerous security enhancements in IE7 and IE8. I think the trend will become: support IE8 with the 'full user experience', support IE7 with 'minor' experience downgrades but no loss of functionality, and support IE6 in a 'crippled' mode, with clear indications of what to do to fix the problem. Modern browsers render much more alike, and modern Javascript frameworks resolve the most significant cross-platform issues. Modern web app development need not be the painful ordeal it was in the bad old days. -Ken