With Microsoft getting ready to release their final version of Internet Explorer 9, they are encouraging users to upgrade from those who still use Internet Explorer 6. The final version will be available on March 14th at 9 pm Pacific time, ending the several months of testing of the beta version of the new browser. Microsoft will be launching the new browser at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas. Talk about launching the new browser in style with a huge party.
Microsoft has launched a new website that encourages users to move away from Internet Explorer 6. Their website is dedicated to trying to kill IE 6, their goal of this is website is to educate why users should upgrade and to watch the usage of the browser drop worldwide less than 1%.
IE 6 was one of the most successful browsers in history but Microsoft doesn’t want to spend any more money on the outdated browser trying to fix the security vulnerabilities that goes along with the browser. About 12% of the world is still using the browser, that’s a pretty big percent still and only about 2.9% in the U.S. Surprisingly, more of the Asian countries are still using the browser, China at 34.5%, South Korea at 24.8%, Japan at 10.3% and Taiwan at 10.7%.
Here are some reasons why users should upgrade to the new browser or at least IE 8:
First off the browser is too slow. Trying to surf the web on this browser is like watching a snail move, especially if you are used to surfing the web on newer generation browsers. If users are trying to get more done as fast as possible this is definitely the worst option any user could have. The new browsers have improved speed while browsing and it keeps getting better.
Secondly, the security and the privacy setting of the browser are horrible. Users who are using IE 6 are far more likely to get hit with malware, then those who are using new versions of current browsers. IE 6 was not designed for this generation, were security threats are more sophisticated, than they have ever been. Those users who are sticking with IE 6 still and haven’t been attacked or hit by threats yet have a far greater chance that it will happen.
Lastly, there is no tabbed browsing on the browser, making users open a new window or have to search on the same window. If your trying to find research for something and you need more than one source no tabs makes it hard to do so. What users would have to do is copy and paste that site to a word document or just remember the website you were on. This is no convenient to the user at all, users waste a ton of time this way.
These are the three main reason users should upgrade to a new browser, but there are plenty of more reason to upgrade. For Us here at Chico Web Design IE 6 is a pain in the rear trying to design for the browser, waste a lot of time trying to make it work in IE 6. Check out http://ie6countdown.com/ for yourself and find out the other reasons why.