Compatibility
Internet explorer is not compatible with the W3C web standards. Instead, Microsoft offer their own solutions, totally ignoring the standards set by the W3C. Web standards insure that any page written according to the standards should work on any standards compatible browser, no double work required to make it work with one browser or another. but Internet Explorer is NOT standards compliant. This means that every web developer has to go through double trouble to make a page work both for Internet Explorer and standards compliant browsers, -or- give up on the standards and develop Internet Explorer-only sites, which Is what Microsoft wants them to do.
So, by using Internet Explorer you are supporting Microsoft in ignoring the standards, thus making web developers work double to get a usable web page.
- Q: Why should I care? It works fine for me.
A: Right now, they are some pretty advanced technologies (including CSS 2) that can move the web forward, and change your browsing experience, these are internationally agreed standards on how the web should work. Microsoft, on the other hand, has their own set of solutions, which can only ever work with Internet Explorer. So in the meantime, both technologies can’t be implemented, because they aren’t supported by the each other, and the web is being held back from advancing to it’s full potential. - Q: So maybe sites should be developed for Internet Explorer only, using the Microsoft technologies?
A: That would limit a users freedom of choice to decide which browser he wants to use, and totally cut off users of other operating systems such as Linux and Mac. anyways, it should be clear to you that internationally agreed standards should be used, not one company’s technologies. - Q: But some sites just don’t work properly with standards compliant browsers…
A: That’s because they were built to work with Internet Explorer, not with standards. by using a standards compliant browser, you are forcing these sites to take standards into consideration, and rebuild their sites to conform with the W3C Web standards. - Q: But Microsoft say that they’re trying…
A: Nonsense, If smaller developer teams such as the Mozilla and Opera development teams were able to get their browsers to comply with the standards, It’s hard to believe that Microsoft, a multi-billion dollar company, wasn’t able to do the same.
Security
How many times have you read about another security hole in Internet Explorer? some Internet Explorer technologies such as ActiveX and Active Scripting make it easier for malicious software, such as spyware and viruses, to be installed on your computer. Internet Explorer also has some other issues that risk your computer, just visit any security site, and even Microsoft’s security update page, to se what I’m talking about.
Alternatives
- Chrome
Google Chrome is a browser that combines a minimal design with sophisticated technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier. - Safari
Safari is known to be the fastest browser in the world. Safari is light-weight, standards compliant, and easy to use. - Opera
Opera is another standards compliant browser, constantly on top of the latest technologies such as CCS3, and is all packed in a light weight package. Opera is not only extremely fast, but it runs on pretty much every device you can browse on. - FireFox
Firefox is open source and compatible with modern web technology. While its not the fastest browser (yet), it is certainly close and has all the features you need.
