Apparently, Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 6, which once dominated the browser market half a decade ago, is slowing down the advance in technology of the Internet. Web designers have to fork out extra time and effort in making sure that every single line of code they have written is compatible with IE6. And sometimes the latest web designing innovations can’t be embraced in popular websites such as Facebook and YouTube in order to cater to the outdated browser. Well, the main issue lies in the fact that a significant number of office workers are still using IE6, the default browser of Windows XP. However, not many companies have upgraded IE6 to a better and faster browser as newer browsers tend to come with plugins and tools that are shifted towards the social media and networking side.
In an effort to bring the web to the next level, many huge social media/networking websites such as Facebook, YouTube and Digg have started to cut support for IE6 because the browser is hindering them from providing an enhanced user experience for watching videos and chatting with friends.
One quintessential example would be YouTube’s strong opposition to using IE6 to watch its videos, especially high-definition ones. Judging by this screenshot taken by an IE6 user who was watching the “Mt Eden Dubstep (HD) – Sierra Leone” video on the site, it appears the video-sharing platform will be halting support for IE6 shortly. According to the a notice, the Google company is dropping support for the browser starting from March 13 and users are still able to watch videos after that date, but new features may not function properly.
And the most intriguing part is that YouTube claims “there must be 50 ways to leave your browser” with a banner exhorting them to upgrade to a modern browser. Probably this is a piece of good news for bosses whose staff are constantly browsing YouTube on IE6 while at work.