Transparency issue in PNG image in IE6

[neha11]

Hi
Im new to CSS. I encountered a problem in IE6.I have this code in my IE6.css :.download-bg {
background:none;filter:progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.AlphaImageLoader(src='../images/background/popupBg.png', sizingMethod='scale');
}

But its commented out for rectification of some other issue using flash file. But popupBg.png when opened for the download button gives a shadow which it should not. How shoul i go about it

[CSS_Kidd]

There are some IE6-png hacks out there using either java or .htc files. Do a search for it and you will find Them. However as most will probably tell you, don't even bother with designing fro IE6 anymore. Google recently stopped supporting it and other huge sites are following suit. Unless the client demands it I wouldn't bother with it. And if they do demand it, smack them on the hand and say "No! Bad Client! Update your browser!"

[KenB]

I don't even bother fixing issues like PNG transparency for IE6. The hacks to fix this are ugly and users need to start seeing more of these cosmetic problems with IE6 in order to see that they really need to update. Basically take the "let it degrade gracefully approach". As long as the gray background of a transparent PNG in IE6 doesn't obscure something critical it is an irritation, not a functional failure.

Google is ceasing full support for IE6 and so should we.

[neha11]

Thanks a lot i searched for the hacks and hv found one thts working fine. But these client they dont want to understand they jst demand for the solution.

[simonuk]

I have used the .htc fix successfully for a number of projects where the IE6 users are still 20 to 95% of visitors.

I have no choice either so this is solution I always turn to.

[CSS_Kidd]

I usually charge my clients more if they still want me to design for a browser that is 9 years old and two versions behind. Mostly because I spend a lot of time making things work for it and my time is money!

[StoutFiles]

You really should just make the .png image a .gif if you want transparency.

[CSS_Kidd]

StoutFiles-

True, but it depends on the effect that is desired. Let's say you wanted a fixed body background image that isn't one solid color, and you want to scroll a logo w/a transparent background over it. A gif even with an alpha transparency setting will still show an edging.

I just gave up on the hacks and stopped supporting IE6. I get the occasional emails from users complaining that the one of my sites looks "weird" to them. But when I tell them that

"The site does not support IE6 because it is an older browser. You may want to update to IE7 or IE8."

You will be surprised. Most of them are unaware there is a newer version let alone two newer ones (as well as other browser choices).

[KenB]

As mentioned above, if transparency is the issue then use GIFs instead that is the only REAL for dealing with IE6's stupidity. Everything else are just ugly hacks that make pages load even slower in IE6 than they do already.

I usually charge my clients more if they still want me to design for a browser that is 9 years old and two versions behind. Mostly because I spend a lot of time making things work for it and my time is money!

This is a great solution! Putting a dollar value on supporting IE6 will help see how important it is to the client.

[BillPitts]

Transparent PNG are far superior to transparent GIFS. I've placed this notice at the top of my online magazine's home page: "This site does not support Internet Explorer 6."

Interestingly enough, IE5 for the Macintosh has absolutely no problems with transparent PNG files.

Bill

[drhowarddrfine]

You may want to update to IE7 or IE8.

Out of the frying pan and into the fire. Never recommend someone to go from a lousy browser to another lousy one. This is a disservice. Always recommend a modern browser, anything but IE.

[CSS_Kidd]

@drhowarddrfine:

You are correct about IE being the wrong choice. But when I suggest a browser upgrade to a concerned site visitor, I always suggest an alternative first (like Firefox). In my above post I only singled out those two because I was making the point that most people are unaware of the fact that there have been 2 versions since as noted in my statement here:

Most of them are unaware there is a newer version let alone two newer ones (as well as other browser choices)

However as long as you design well, validate and use each browsers development tools, you should not have as many problems w/IE7/IE8 as you would have in IE6.

Then you have to factor in the fact that, unlike us, your most common surfer doesn't like change.