Developing sites for most common...

User 15653 Photo


Registered User
233 posts

I was pretty excited when I got the look I was after while developing with Firefox and Chrome. So imagine my dismay when it came to my attention that it wasn't working properly with Internet Explorer - what a bummer... I'd been using Firefox 3.6.2, Chrome 4.0 and Internet Explorer 7 (though my IE 7 on my main box has had something going on with it so, development efforts focused on FF and Chrome.

My first surprise came when I ran the nearly completed screen through browswershots.org (http://browsershots.org/) and then got onto another machine to view the site with Internet Explorer. I guess the easiest way to have a site more viewable on a wide array of browsers is by using the K.I.S.S. approach. Also, Internet Explorer seems to be the main stream browser on the net and it would seem to be important to have sites past that litmus test without expecting users to tweak their browser settings (cuz most likely can't or won't) which makes me question if Internet Explorer isn't the gold standard that people should develop with and then hope for the best with other browsers.

I've been working on a girls soccer site and maybe went too much for the 'cool' look. Interestingly enough, IE7 appears to be a bummer but IE8 showed okay at browsers.org... It's at: http://home.nctv.com/ajns/models/index.htm and any comments are welcome and appreciated...

Frustrating morning, I'm headed out of town because my kid stacked his car last night but he himself is okay and I had this coding issue on my mind that I'd just discovered when he called so...

Thanks for any help or advice,
Chris
cover@nctv.com
User 345577 Photo


Registered User
373 posts

Chris Overland wrote:
...which makes me question if Internet Explorer isn't the gold standard that people should develop with and then hope for the best with other browsers.

I understand what you're saying, but I consider IE to be the brown standard, if you understand what I'm saying... ;)

No way I'm designing sites with IE as the primary intended target. In fact, one of my sites has a link to several articles on why it's a good idea to use something OTHER THAN IE, for security's sake.

I started building websites when Mosaic was the predominant web browser, and kept my sites intentionally dumbed-down and accessible to as many visitors as possible. Part of that strategy to allow hardware and internet access to catch up to the point where most people could view rich content and few were left behind.

But I've grown tired of keeping interesting content off my sites because somebody doesn't want to adjust their browser or enable Flash to see what there is to offer. And I'm tired of apps that march to the beat of their own drum. If you want to use something that doesn't present the material I offer, fine. Your loss. I don't make money from my websites.

Now I get complaints that it doesn't look right in a mobile browser, on some little battery-operated phone thing that people lug around in their pockets. Too bad. I don't have the resources or energy to make sure it works with EVERYTHING.
User 364143 Photo


Guest
5,410 posts

I develop to meet only one standard, the W3C standard. If IE renders a float a hair to the left or right, so what. I'm not keeping track of every browser quirk known since browsers were introduced and the fix for it. I test my pages primarily in the most current version of FF for errors since it it one of the many mozilla based browsers, and then take a peek in the most current version of IE. Update your browser to the latest version of whatever you're using or deal with it. Stop dwelling on yesterday and code for compliance and you will be fine. :cool:

CoffeeCup... Yeah, they are the best!
User 271657 Photo


Ambassador
3,816 posts

I usually use FF and Chrome. Everything looks fine here. Had a look in IE 8 and the home page was totally messed up (but just the home, all others OK). The flash didn't show at all, just the background color. At first I didn't see the shield either, but noticed a long horizontal scroll bar and followed that to the shield which was way off center, far to the right. :(
Don't know what to tell you, the site looks nice, loads fast, is easy to navigate.... then along comes IE and beats it up! Hopefully someone else can take a look at your code and see something that could be added or changed to make it work.
I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by. (Douglas Adams)
https://www.callendales.com
User 364143 Photo


Guest
5,410 posts

The first thing to do is go here http://validator.w3.org/ and http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/ to enter the url and identify any errors in the code. I'm not being sarcastic. It will help.
CoffeeCup... Yeah, they are the best!
User 345577 Photo


Registered User
373 posts

Tom wrote:
I develop to meet only one standard, the W3C standard.

Amen!
User 562592 Photo


Registered User
2,038 posts

These philosophies are great and all, but they don't work for those of us who have to create websites for businesses. Do you think a business cares about our opinions of IE. No! They just want their site to work in all browsers so that their customers can access their product. If you don't design as a profession, then you are free to do as you wish. I just would not be giving unprofessional advice like this to those who are visiting the forums.

As to Tom's point though, I agree. Our first priority should be standards, even if it IE does not. However, at the end of the day, the site still needs to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing for customers.

My two-cents.
Or maybe my two-pounds. I don't know. :/
The philosopher has not done philosophy until he has acted upon the mere conviction of his idea; for proof of the theory is in the act, not the idea.

My Web Development Company: http://www.innovatewebdevelopment.com (Created with Coffee Cup Software).

My Personal Website: http://www.EricSEnglish.com

User 38401 Photo


Senior Advisor
10,951 posts

As much as I hate IE I would have to agree with Eric here too, although I don't really do much to see that it works if I'm being honest, and I have no idea what it looks like in IE7 at all, 8 usually doesn't do too bad, and I couldn't give a rats XXX *lol* about IE6, they can upgrade or not see it, their problem on that one.

I would love if anyone has a "better" viewer site than browsershots.org since that one really is not very accurate at all. Used it a few times and every time I tried it it shows pages even in FF3 totally incorrect on it compared to what FF3 actually shows, so I don't trust that one at all. Same thing on Safari, doesn't always show it correctly. Not very trustworthy to me.
User 364143 Photo


Guest
5,410 posts

I was unaware that CoffeeCup users came to this forum for professional advice and not personal opinion from other CoffeeCup users.

If coded correctly following standards, there is not much of a difference in the way modern browsers render the page. If people validate their code, they will get positive results in all the modern browsers.
CoffeeCup... Yeah, they are the best!
User 562592 Photo


Registered User
2,038 posts

Tom wrote:
I was unaware that CoffeeCup users came to this forum for professional advice and not personal opinion from other CoffeeCup users. :rolleyes:

If coded correctly following standards, there is not much of a difference in the way modern browsers render the page. If people validate their code, they will get positive results in all the modern browsers.


I believe I agreed with you Tom. :)
The philosopher has not done philosophy until he has acted upon the mere conviction of his idea; for proof of the theory is in the act, not the idea.

My Web Development Company: http://www.innovatewebdevelopment.com (Created with Coffee Cup Software).

My Personal Website: http://www.EricSEnglish.com


Have something to add? We’d love to hear it!
You must have an account to participate. Please Sign In Here, then join the conversation.