Differences in IE versions

This is not a browser bashing post

[smokeyb]

Hi all
This is not intended to be one of those browser bashing posts, but with all the talk of how IE renders pages and reads code, I wondered if any of the versions; 4, 5, 5 and a half, etc, are less forgiving than their earlier versions. Or of course, the other way round. The reason I ask: is that I have 5 installed as standard, with my version of win2k, and when I update the system I can't be bothered to update IE (still using a dail-up modem). I do test my pages in all the other browsers and earlier IE (thanks to DrDoc for the post on the subject of multiple IE versions), but should I install a later IE? as that's what I use as default to test stuff. Thanks

[tedster]

I would say yes, especially because IE6 may be as high as 60% or more of your site's visitors these days.

Even beyond that, with IE6 you can familiarize yourself with the effects of standards mode versus quirks mode and become conversant with how the various DTD's are treated, and in gerneal get on board with the web standards that are going to take us forward.

Also, especially if you use cookies or are involved in e-commerce, you'll want to be comfortable with IE6 security settings and P3P privacy policies.

IE 6 was introduced in October of 2001 - hardly the new guy on the block at this point! If the download is the issue, you can order a CD from MS (and it also contains earlier versions of the browser) for the cost of shipping. Pretty handy on a dial-up connection.

[grahamstewart]

If you write for IE6 then you'll be able to stick to standards compliant code (and treat IE5 et al like the scabby old relics they are).

Have a hunt through a few magazine cover discs - IE6 is bound to be lurking on one of them, and probably IE6 sp1 as well (though you'll still need to go to Windows Update and download all the subsequent patches).

[IeuanJ]

Yes IE6 is definately the default version to be testing in. If you want to still test in 5/5.5 (A good idea) then install them as standalone.