IanCP - 9:52 am on Aug 14, 2009 (gmt 0)

Microsoft keeps IE6 Life-Support Machine Switched On Until 2014

And Microsoft is doing precisely what? I see absolutely nothing. Zero support beyond a PR exercise.

Quoting IncedibleBILL

Webmasters can simply start an IE 6 blockade and end it on our own

Why would anyone do that Bill?

For me personally, to upgrade today [from Win98SE + IE6] I would need to go to:

a) Windows 7

b) Latest Windows Browser

c) Probable hardware upgrades needed

d) Definitely upgrade the regular software I use each and every day

Now Bill, demonstrate for me how my "user experience" is going to be enhanced? This would be after my estimated outlay of $2,000 in expenditure to simply comply with your wishes.

Since when did webmasters become advocates for Microsoft or anyone else, annoying Adobe in particular?

I search the internet for "information". I do not search looking for the latest "all singing all dancing" gizmos.

I certainly don't use them. If your site doesn't render properly in IE6 then I'll simply move on. Pretty simple concept!

Bill, over the years I've learned to respect you and your opinion BUT:

Webmasters can simply start an IE 6 blockade and end it on our own

Is as arrogant as it ever gets.

You want people to upgrade? Then sell the benefits. Thus far, I see absolutely none. Zero, nothing. I come from the KISS school of thought

Developments over the last two years, mainly newspaper outlets consuming needless huge bandwidth, have led me to explore other avenues with browsers. I now surf "news sites" using Mozilla Firefox 2 [shock, horror, scandal]. It at least has the courtesy of allowing me to "terminate" an unresponsive script.

The only other disadvantage, mainly through no support for Win98SE, is the inability to use Nokia's PC Suite for my $99 Nokia 6085 phone. Yes, I paid $99 outright and have a $15 a month plan with $20 worth of free calls which I don't actually use. Last month $4.66

Moving on, I'm now exploring Ubuntu and Wine. Is this the end result Mr. Microsoft and others wanted?

I repeat:

Demonstrate for me how my "user experience" is going to be enhanced? What exactly am I missing out on?

What exactly is so entrancing about your sites [assuming you exactly provide real information] that I would need to visit with the latest version of M$'s browser?

That is the real question. If IE6 causes problems then don't cater for it.

Simple, we'll make our own judgements.

[An aside]

My PC is 11+ years old, I NEVER buy "name brand" products, I've always rolled my own from judicious buying.

It's like the family axe, which we've had for 100 years. We've only changed the handle 10 times and the head 5 times.