Weaning a client

What is the best browser for Mac?

[willybfriendly]

I have convinced a recalcitrant client to enter the modern age and get rid of NN4. Uses a Mac and had bad experiences with NN6 (no surprise there).

I suggested Opera. I just got an email explaining the problems she is having get it loaded..."I get a box with a notice about agreeing to their policy--yes or no. I click yes, it goes through a "verifying" process and ends..."

She is too far away for hands on help, and I have very limited experience with Macs.

Good options for someone that describes herself as a "nerdy computer illiterate"?

WBF

[ShawnR]

Hi WBF

Not a heavy mac user, but I've heard good things about Safari.

"nerdy computer illiterate" - A new definition of oxymoron?

Shawn

[Macguru]

Hi willybfriendly,

First thing to know is about wich Mac OS she is using. If she uses Mac OS X I would go for Safari or Chimera, If she is using an older OS I believe NN 7 is still the best choice for her. She could also use Mozilla, it's quite similar to NN 7, but lacks a little polish.

While the best browser I ever used for Windows, Opera for Mac never quite made it and will probably be discontinued.

IE for Mac is slow as a slug and filled with bugs and will probably be discontinued too (rumors).

Here is a good (but ugly) chart to compare Mac OS X different browsers :

[hut.fi...]

Just my 2 cents.ca

[Brad]

For Mac OS X:

1. Safari
2. Mozilla
3. Chimera
4. IE

I loved Opera in Windows but like Macgaru said the Mac version is poor.

[xMrMoox]

Isn't Safari still in beta?

If it is, I wouldn't recommend it to your client...

Mr. Moo

[xMrMoox]

BTW - I believe in freedom to create whatever you want, and in the philosophy of competition - but I REALLY wish someone would make a STANDARD set of browser cross-compatibility... it's starting to get ridiculous as a web designer to have to design for a gazillion different browsers... Now that IE is going by the wayside on Mac I know I'm going to have a million headaches trying to get everything to work in Safari as it does on PC browsers...argh...

Mr. Moo

[john316]

From NN4, the easiest transition would be to Mozilla.

[Macguru]

>>but I REALLY wish someone would make a STANDARD set of browser cross-compatibility...

Hi xMrMoox,

The W3 consortium does set standards for browsers cross compatibilty, but $oMe player still pull the all blanket for himself pushing his own set of standards throught market share pressure, because it is obsessively more profitable for them.

If you are curious, just go here [validator.w3.org] to check if your pages meet the real standards... you could be surprised.

[xMrMoox]

Thanks,

I'm sure my sites hardly do! lol... I'll check it out!

Mr. Moo

[bateman_ap]

Haven't heard a peep about the Mac version of IE being cancelled and would be exceptionally surprised if it was, anyone got a reputable source?

I'm sorry but to a client, and especially one who isn't computer savvy, you may as well suggest the widest used browser, and that is IE. Otherwise you have to explain all the little things that she might have problems with using Opera or Safari. Some badly coded sites refusing to work etc claiming they need IE. Online banking saying it needs different software etc.

[Macguru]

Hi bateman_ap,

Well if google still is a reputable source for you, I suggest you start here [google.com]. And everybody knows they use OLD datas... ;)

Please visit the Mac forum for a bit and you will see the most "Mac problems" are actually related to IE for Mac...

And, if it was too much effort doing some research and then explaining to clients what is best for them, I would not be a consultant. :)

Clients are neither guinea-pigs nor lemmings.

Now we are at 12 cents.ca

[willybfriendly]

Thanks guys. Micro$oft is not an option. That is why she uses Mac :)

I have shared a compilation of your ideas with her.

WBF

[ShawnR]

Safari might be beta, but there are betas and then there are betas... I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

[Cinemascribe]

I'm a Mac OS X user and Apple's Safari is a solid browser; I'm not too fond of the interface, but hopefully that will be improved upon final release. I still like Internet Explorer's GUI the best, but the browser is the buggiest of them all. I like Netscape 7 a lot, though, and it's my primary browser right now. A lot more stable than IE and the interface is nice.

[Macguru]

>>Haven't heard a peep about the Mac version of IE being cancelled and would be exceptionally surprised if it was, anyone got a reputable source?

Hi again, bateman_ap

So you where in doubt about WebmasterWorld?

this is just to confirm IE for Mac is RIP [webmasterworld.com]. ;)