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Explorer Hurt By Scorn for Web Standards

Uncompliant legacy code becoming an albatross over time

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 1, 2008 3:31 PM CST

(Newser) – Microsoft is caught in a web-prison of their own design, the Guardian reports. In 2001, IE6’s flawed but ubiquitous programming forced web developers to make two versions of their sites: one that worked with IE6’s quirks, and another that complied with web standards. Pages identified the user’s browser to know which code to provide.

Now that policy is sabotaging Microsoft’s latest browser: IE7 is now standards-compliant, but is identified as IE6 by web pages and served the non-standard, ‘quirky’ code. In response, the firm’s upcoming IE8 doesn't fix the problem but demands that developers put a tag in page headers that tells the browser it knows it can accept standard code—or IE8 will treat the site as if it is being served IE6’s ‘quirky’ code.

Internet Explorer's logo. (Microsoft)

Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer speaks during the announcement of partnership between Microsoft with Reliance Communications to deliver IPTV in Mumbai, India, Monday, Nov. 5, 2007. (AP Photo/Rajesh... (Associated Press)

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Explorer Hurt By Scorn for Web Standards

Uncompliant legacy code becoming an albatross over time

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Microsoft Adds Do-Not-Track to Internet Explorer

New version is out Tuesday

Microsoft Execs Thwarted IE Privacy Plans

Defaults were changed to allow tracking and help advertisers

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Vulnerabilities spotted after release of security patch

Germany Urges Ditching Internet Explorer

Security flaw in browser allowed attack on Google

EU Closes Microsoft Antitrust Case

No fines assessed, thanks to deal to add browsers on Windows 7

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Explorer Hurt By Scorn for Web Standards

Uncompliant legacy code becoming an albatross over time

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Microsoft • Internet Explorer • web standards • HTML • CSS

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Microsoft Adds Do-Not-Track to Internet Explorer

New version is out Tuesday

Microsoft Execs Thwarted IE Privacy Plans

Defaults were changed to allow tracking and help advertisers

New Security Flaws Found in Internet Explorer

Vulnerabilities spotted after release of security patch

Germany Urges Ditching Internet Explorer

Security flaw in browser allowed attack on Google

EU Closes Microsoft Antitrust Case

No fines assessed, thanks to deal to add browsers on Windows 7

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

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More News

What is Newser?