Tired of Netscape 4

What browsers do you use to test sites?

[NeedScripts]

I am working on a new site related to *Lawyers* and am tired of seeing some silly errors in Netscape 4.x

For this site, I don't think I have any other choice but to make the site look good (or at least alright) in Netscape 4.x. But what browsers do you guys generally check your web sites with?

I use
1) IE 5
2) IE 5.5
3) Opera 6
4) Opera 7
5) Netscape 4.7
6) Netscape 7.0

[txbakers]

I check with all of the above, except Op 7 and NN 4.X

I too got tired of it, and clearly stated that while the application will work with NN 4.79, we no longer support it or recommend it. I haven't had one complaint.

Those that did call with browser problems I helped through the upgrade. They were happy to upgrade.

[tedster]

Ah, yes, the recurring topic. Clearly, the choice of browsers (and platforms) for testing depends a lot on the target audience. Since I began writing W3C validated code with CSS, I do a lot less browser testing.

I usually test each template for a site in IE 5.5, IE 6 and one current flavor of Moz/Netscape. Opera 6 is my default browser, and that's where I prefer to develop.

But after I check out my templates, I usually don't bother with other browsers for each page, unless I use a new technique there.

I will fire up NN 4.77 if the contract requires supporting it - but I'm charging extra for that these days.

[msr986]

> Ah, yes, the recurring topic

Yep, last time I suggested that we try to kill off NN4.x I got a real ear full! :(

I still think NN4.x needs to die! :)

[tedster]

Well, remember that Netscape 4.8 was just released a few months ago. There are some very real market pressures that will probably keep it alive for a bit longer.

[chameleon]

I wouldn't say Netscape needs to die (though I personally wish it would). What I would say, however, is that it needs to be treated like any other "fringe" aspect of society.

For example:

I am 6 feet 6 inches tall. In order to buy clothing that fits, I am restricted to about 3 major retailers (J.C. Penny, Eddie Bauer and LL Bean). Though I don't like it, I realize that less than 5% of the US Population is my height, and therefore I don't expect every retailer in the mall to carry clothes that fit me -- it's not economically feasable for them. Why carry 10 pairs of jeans that fit me when there are only a few people in my town that can fit into them? That space is better used for jeans that the majority of the town could wear.

Same holds true for NN 4.x. There will always be some people who use it, but should you spend your development dollars trying to cater to them? Will those extra dollars really translate into tangable sales? Will those extra sales offset the development costs? In most cases, probably not.

So, look at it from a pragmatic standpoint. Either design very basic web sites that are exactly the same on all browsers, or spend your effort where the mainstream is. Explain this to your clients up front so there are no surprises.

It's all about the dollars and cents. (Pounds and Pence? Ruples and?)