Yesterday, I wrote that your first goal in designing a website should be optmizing the load time. After all, no matter how well the design, features, and information may be implemented, it means nothing if viewers will not wait to view your site. But, you should also devote equal time to ensuring cross-browser-compatibility as you do optimizing your website. As bad as it is that your visitors have to wait to view the page, its just as bad if your content is in disarray.
This is not an article that will bash Internet Explorer or Firefox, nor take sides with either of the most popular browsers. You can preach one browser over another and even promote your favorite on your website. But there will always be a good number of users that are using other browsers. Even if they are using Internet Explorer or Firefox, they may be using older versions. And all of this can expose weakness in your website.
Internet Explorer does have a reputation of not supporting as many CSS features as other browsers. Many programmers have learned how to overcome that issue by using hacks. Hacks are pieces of code that are not considered part of the CSS library, but can keep information visible to one browser while invisible to another. For Internet Explorer, the hack is usually simple. The following example is a common hack for 3-column-layouts:
#wrap {
min-height:100%;
width:780px;
margin:auto;
position:relative;
}
* html #wrap {height:100%}
Internet Explorer 6, for example, did not support the min-height CSS feature. Therefore, if you wished to use it, you would have to hack the line. Notice the asterisk (*) as the beginning of the last line. The asterisk allowed Internet Explorer to read the line, applying a 100% height, while Firefox and other browsers couldn't read the line.
I know some programmers (including myself) who at one point of time, instead of messing with hacks, they simply used a little bid of PHP or Javascript to include style sheets. You would have one style sheet for Firefox and other Mozilla engine browsers, another for Internet Explorer, a third for Opera, so on and so on. Yes, it can be more writing in the process. But, for me, at least, it always seems easier than getting one style sheet to fit multiple browsers.
So, how can you know what your website looks on other people's browser/operating sytem combo? There are tools out there. The two I use are BrowserCam.com and BrowserShots.org. BrowserCam does offer a small free trial, but it also has many more features and is much faster than BrowserShots.
Finally, keep in mind that it is your requirement as website programmer or designer to make sure everyone who visits your website can see it clearly. Though the vast majority of users prefer either Internet Explorer or Firefox, there are a number of users that use other browsers. Though the percentages may be low (less than 5% total), it can mean a huge difference when your running an affiliate or ecommerce website. Build a website for everyone to use, and you will be rewarded.
Related Articles
The Web Browser is Essential to Your Computer's Security
By: Richard Rogers | 06/06/2006 | Security
Learn common security issues with your web browser and how to make your online experience safer.
Firefox Reached 400 Million Target
By: David Datour | 12/09/2007 | Internet
As a loyal reader of the Tetridia News section you know that Mozilla wanted to re-structure its Firefox brand to increase it's retention rate compared to Microsoft's Monopole with Internet Explorer. Last Friday Firefox has reached its 400 Millionth software download.
What is a Web Browser and How Does it Work
By: Arun Pal Singh | 24/09/2007 | Online Business
Structure of a web page is actually not the way it is displayed in a Web browser. A web page is written in a coded form in HTML, PHP or any other language. Web browser gets this information and formats into the display which we usually see when we visit a webpage.
Internet Explorer Vs. Firefox
By: andy tao | 06/10/2007 | Internet
When it comes to choosing an internet browser there are two main commonly used ones which give you a range of benefits. Every computer that comes with any version of windows will have Microsoft Internet Explorer already installed which is great for the average user who is just interested in browsing the internet.
Autoresponders - What They Are and Why You Need Them
By: Ricardy Banks | 07/11/2006 | Email
Autoresponders are excellent promotional tools, essential for Internet business.
Best Web Browser?
By: Ewan MacLeod | 14/07/2008 | Software
A quick review of six of the most popular Web Browsers available - Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Maxthon, Opera, Flock, and Apple's Safari. No speed tests or rigorous test results - just personal opinions and reports on the user experience.
Your First Goal Before Building a Website
By: Tim Trice | 17/03/2007 | Internet
So, you think you're ready to launch your new website, eh? You built your list of keywords? You know which ones you want to focus most on? You have your list of sites to publish your content and directories to list with? Great! Let me tell you something: it makes no difference if your page takes too long to load.
Firefox - Use Me!
By: Anja Glauch | 05/09/2007 | Software
Research has shown that only 25% of the users who download the Mozilla built browser Firefox use it regularly. That is a very good start but not enough...
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Cleaning private data
By: liaty | 10-10-2007
Hi, I was wondering whether cleaning private data in browsers like IE or Firefox can really solve problems like slow browsing or is it just another old "myth" ?
Foxytunes - what is the lightest media player you ...
By: Kuchmuch | 27-09-2007
Foxytunes - what is the lightest media player you can use with FT? Win MP is too heavy and causes crashes, and VLC is surprisingly not supported
Foxytunes - what is the lightest media player you ...
By: Kuchmuch | 27-09-2007
Foxytunes - what is the lightest media player you can use with FoxyTunes? WM is too heavy and causes crashes in FF, and VLC is surprisingly not supported...
What is Your Favorite Browser?
By: Zero | 26-09-2007
What is Your Favorite Browser?And Why did you choose excatly this Browser?I have or have tried a few, and like Your openion on what You think is No.1 Browser ...Best Wishes Zero From Denmark
FireFox Copy and Paste actions
By: nadine | 25-09-2007
With FireFox, when using the copy-paste actions. the pasted text will have the same characteristics as the original text had. How can I attribute the pasted text with the same characteristics as of the text I already typed in?
I use firefox tabs as post-it notes. I have 324 ...
By: Oded Sharon | 17-09-2007
I use firefox tabs as post-it notes. I have 324 open tabs , which makes my PC run very slow. Is there any online or offline toold good for organizing and quick revieing hundreds of website links, with snapshots, and their "back" history ?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Internet Articles
5 Marketing Lessons From the 'king of Make-up' - Max Factor
By: Adam Urbanski | 21/08/2008
Did you know that Max Factor was a marketing genius? You won't believe the strategies he used to get the rich and famous clamor for his services and products. His strategies can be simply replicated in your business to attract all the new and repeat clients you want. Here is how...
Finding the Right Internet Home Business That is Uniquely You
By: John Baril | 20/08/2008
When you are determining what is the right Internet home business for yourself, you have an opportunity to shape that any way you want. This is especially true when you use affiliate marketing to make money on the Internet.
Top Five Reasons Why Reciprocal Link Requests Are Turned Down by Webmasters
By: Kanaga Siva | 20/08/2008
Reciprocal linking is one of the accepted methods adopted by webmasters to build traffic, increase link popularity and improve page rank. It is a known fact that in recent times search engines have begun to place more importance to one-way inbound link and consider it to be superior to a...
Using Autoresponder Software For Follow-Up Success
By: Neil R Morgan | 20/08/2008
It's well known that only a tiny percentage of your web site visitors will buy from you on their first (and possibly only) visit to your web site. The vast majority of your prospects simply forget about you and your web site and never return.
Can you imagine just how much...
Marketing Any Business on MySpace
By: Sean Dell | 20/08/2008
MySpace is now, and has been for some time, the hottest trend when it comes to social networking endeavors online for businesses. This international website plays host to millions of individuals! With that many people accessing the website, it only makes sense to take advantage of accessing those people. Best...
Why MySpace is Great For Your Business
By: Sean Dell | 20/08/2008
Are you one of the many businesses that have yet to discover the power of MySpace? If so, you could be missing on a an exciting opportunity to get your business noticed. Yes, MySpace is thought of us a "friend" type of network, however, it is also great for business...
Tips On Building Online Traffic
By: Larry Mccullough | 20/08/2008
Okay so you have a brilliant web site. You are a treasure house in the field of your expertise. You have placed your knowledge in your website. You have a great product and now you want to utilize the web media to advertise and launch it. Unfortunately though, after you...
Good Web Design Considerations
By: Paul J Egan | 20/08/2008
Your business is represented to the world online through your website. It's a brochure that any potential customer, anywhere and at any time can view and decide whether your company is the right one for them. Therefore it is of the upmost importance that your web site practices good web...
More from Tim Trice
Your First Goal Before Building a Website
By: Tim Trice | 17/03/2007 | Internet
So, you think you're ready to launch your new website, eh? You built your list of keywords? You know which ones you want to focus most on? You have your list of sites to publish your content and directories to list with? Great! Let me tell you something: it makes no difference if your page takes too long to load.
One Way to Stop Spam
By: Tim Trice | 16/03/2007 | Internet
Ever wonder why you get so much spam? Where did all of this junk come from? Surely, it had to be that catalog you signed up for online. They sold you out! Well, perhaps. I ’ve used three different free mailing systems over the years, Hotmail, Yahoo, and Gmail. Here’s what I’ve noticed and picked up along the ways.
Moving Up From Analog to Digital Tv
By: Tim Trice | 16/03/2007 | Cable and Satellite TV
If you own an analog television, it ’s time to get ready. The day is coming when you will turn on that tv and get nothing; no CNN, no Weather Channel, not even your local news. You can call the cable or satellite company and complain. But they won’t be able to help you. No, in fact, Congress has left you behind.
Dealing With your Cellular Carrier - Part 2
By: Tim Trice | 16/03/2007 | Technology
Yesterday, I wrote about dealing with your cellular carrier and customer service representatives. I gave you some suggestions and hints on how to identify what type of rep your speaking with and how to handle them. Today, I want to focus on what you can do to better increase your chances of success at getting your carrier to resolve your issue.
Dealing With your Cellular Carrier - Part 1
By: Tim Trice | 16/03/2007 | Technology
Identify the customer service representative you speak with and learn how to deal with them. Part 1 in a series of three.
Internet 
