Switching Web Browsers
You may have arrived at this page from the banner on the top of this site. This page will explain what the problem is and how you can help web designers have an easier life.
What’s so wrong with Internet Explorer? I thought it was ok.
Internet Explorer is ok for browsing websites and using generally on the internet. However what you may or may not know is that websites have to be built in certain ways for the website to work and display correctly on Internet Explorer.
When a website is displayed the code that builds the page structure and the design that the site has is gathered from HTML (HyperText Markup Language) and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). These coding languages (HTML and CSS) have been standardised by the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium).
The problem with Internet Explorer is that it doesn’t fully comply with the latest standards and coding languages (also including Javascript). Internet Explorer also has the largest user base, around 70-80% of all users on the Internet are using Internet Explorer.
There in lies our problem, a browser with a large market base and is behind the rest of the pack in HTML and CSS versions.
Why is it a big deal?
Well since Internet Explorer has a large share then web designers have to make sites work in Internet Explorer regardless. In this process it can take many hours, even days, testing and fixing code to make it display and work properly in Internet Explorer. This time adds up to cost in the end to the client. So theoretically, switching to another better browser may have positive effects on our economy (not that it could but at least a few dollars will be saved… and yes I went there).
You may think now “Why not just make sites work in Internet Explorer to begin with?”. Yes and No. Yes it’s a logical idea but No it wont happen. Most Web Designers use other browsers initially to test their site in, like Safari or Firefox (I’ll explain those in a minute). The reason for that is they hate Internet Explorer, maybe with a passion, but also they may be using a different system like a Macintosh computer or a PC running another Operating System such as Linux. Internet Explorer only operates on Windows based machines.
Other browsers, like Safari and Firefox, are pretty much identical in how they display websites so designers need only to use one and the site will generally look good in both. That’s because Safari and Firefox are up to date with HTML and CSS.
If I switch browsers is that a security risk?
No. The alternative browsers listed on this page take security very seriously, maybe more-so than Internet Explorer. The browsers listed below often have security updates to their applications so you’re always up-to-date and safe. They will also give you a visual message when you need to update, some versions of Internet Explorer do not have this feature.
If you are in a business or an organisation then check with your IT Guy/Girl about switching. Let them know about this page. If they want you to stay with Internet Explorer ask them why. Some IT people can be very biased about using non-Windows/Microsoft applications, this is just how they are.
Will I lose all of my bookmarks/favourites on Internet Explorer when I switch?
Nope. When you switch to most other browsers they will ask to import your Internet Explorer bookmarks and favourites when you are installing. So nothing is really lost. Same can also go for saved passwords.
Ok. So I’m thinking about what I can do. What can I do?
Easiest thing you can so is to switch to a standards compliant and up-to-date web browser. You have a few options on what browser you can chose. At the bottom of the page is a list of browsers which are better than Internet Explorer.
What browsers are better for web designers?
Generally there are 2 most loved web browsers out there by web designers. They are Mozilla Firefox and Apple Safari. Both support the latest coding languages and practices that web designers want to use as well as being stable and secure. Both browsers, even Apple Safari, work beautifully on Windows. To find out more about these browsers you can visit them below where you can then go and download them.
Thanks for checking this page out. Trying another web browser wont do anything bad for your computer so why not give it a go? If you have upgraded to Safari or Firefox after reading this then that’s brilliant! Dont forget to let your co-workers and friends how good it is 