Browser Useage
Using a Mac, and not having had a significant update for Explorer for about 4 years, I have been forced to use other browsers.
However, it would seem that many people are feeling a little disgruntled with the lack of Microsoft activity over the past few years with the migration of many internet users moving to other technologies such as Firefox. See BBC report on Browser useage.
Whereas Google, Linux, and even (thank god at last) Apple seem to be developing and delivering like mad, Microsoft have been doing, well I’m not sure really.
Explorer still holds 93.37% of the UK market, mores the pity, but surely they can’t rely on being the biggest forever, especially if their innovation is none too inspiring.
I read a stat a couple of years ago, whereby Hewlett-Packard made 80% of their revenues from products that had come to market in the preceeding 24 months. I also read a quote once from Bill Gates stating that any company, especially Microsoft, was only ever six months away from going out of business. His glasses must be steaming up right now!
Innovate or Die - a message for all businesses.
Comment by KeithC November 4, 2005 @ 2:21 pm
Well, Microsoft are working on Internet Explorer 7 for the PC at the moment. The development team have their own technical blog (http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/) which details the work they’ve carried out and are planning. Its also used to communicate with the multitude of developers that will use it.
Most significant updates for us web developers will be the updates to the browsers CSS abilites (as well as fixing the many CSS bugs), the introduction of Firefox/Safari style tabbed browsing and RSS feed capabilities.
As IE still has the majority of UK market share most casual browsers of the internet are unaware of new(ish) technologies such as RSS. Hopefully the new version of Microsoft’s web browser will make these technologes more mainstream.
Comment by craigkillick November 5, 2005 @ 9:22 pm
Keith, and knowing Microsoft they will blast the others away. Least it makes it easier for you guys not having to fanny around sorting code out to work across browsers.
Comment by player November 16, 2005 @ 4:05 pm
If you are using ie on a mac you need an update for sure. using ie if you are a mac user is like handing Bill Gates your loyalty. stick to apples browser Safari its a classic all-rounder.