Microsoft CountDown Site Urges People To Kill (STOP Using) IE6
Almost a decade back Microsoft created a monster; and now it seeks the web user’s help to kill it! Yes, we are indeed talking about hugely infamous, one and only — Internet Explorer 6 aka IE6; the monster that has ruined so many website designs and has given so many web developers sleep-less nights.
But finally, Microsoft wants you to help send IE6 in to oblivion, and has officially set up a global IE6 deathwatch in the hopes of increasing awareness that there are better versions Internet Explorer beyond the version 6 that used to be shipped along with Windows XP.
Friends don’t let friends use Internet Explorer 6 (IE6)
“10 years ago a browser was born,” Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 6 Countdown site says. “It’s name was Internet Explorer 6. Now that we’re in 2011, in an era of modern web standards, it’s time to say goodbye. This website is dedicated to watching Internet Explorer 6 usage drop to less than 1% worldwide, so more websites can choose to drop support for Internet Explorer 6, saving hours of work for web developers.”
Microsoft pegs global usage of IE6 at 12 percent as of Feburary 2011 and wants it to drop to 1 percent. So ever wondered why is it still so high? As per Microsoft’s own IE6 Countdown, China is the biggest shareholder of maintaining the IE6 culture, with 34.5 percent of users using IE6. South Korea follows second with 24.8 percent. Norway and Finland get the prize for most progressive and updated, with both countries clocking in at less than 1 percent.
The countdown website also includes details of IE6 share by country, updated on a monthly basis; the software giant says it will celebrate as countries dip under the 1 percent mark. Microsoft urged website owners to display the IE6 countdown banner on their sites, and urged everyone to educate acquaintances of the dangers. “Friends don’t let friends use Internet Explorer 6,” Microsoft said.
Some facts About IE6: IE 6 came out a few weeks before the Twin Towers fell. It came out before the Nintendo GameCube. It came out before the first iPod.
Interestingly, Microsoft is getting ready to introduce Internet Explorer 9 in the coming weeks and must be hoping the drop of IE6 usage will help them get some early-adopters of IE9. At any rate, with Microsoft’s Kill IE6 campaign, it certainly appears that this is time for IE6 to retire and go home; no more excuses! What do you think? And more importantly, what are you going to do to contribute to this campaign?
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Really man, these people who are using Internet explorer 6 need to get their brain fixed. I wonder are they still unaware or are they really outdated like their browser. It presents so much problems to designers and developers. And look at the people of China, when will they understand 😐 30% is a hell lot
I would blame it on a mixture things — Windows XP, users who are using pirated copies and never upgrade their IE in fear that Microsoft would find out and lets NOT forget China’s huge population.
yes fully agreed that people do not Upgrade n fear of Piracy.. But still now Chinese people should stop using IE6 they are that much aware as they are Master’s of Duplicate Products..
People who are not webmasters still use IE.
They don’t care about the speed or whatsoever because they are not using Internet as much as ourselves.
My husband uses IE and I use FF; and other people I know use IE too.
Though personally I do not really like IE because of its harder compatibility, but thing like adsense filter tool can only be used with ie..
Well, to become an IE hater one actually do not need to ‘search for reasons’ — unfortunately, there are just too many. As a technology watcher, I’d say that with IE9, this is probably the last chance for Microsoft to try and bring something to the table that can actually compete against the mighty FF and Chrome. Failing which would mean the end of the “Internet explorers”!
They manage to bundle it with the OS even today. Thats the key if you ask me.
In fact with the Microsoft’s decision to STOP shipping Windows XP, lets hope that IE6 no more gets to reach a new user via a bundled OS.
but still even Windows XP is not so much used nowadays so how Come people use IE6 this much..
I’m really tired of fixing websites for IE6. I’m sure everyone else feels the same.
IE8 is actually not a bad browser, but i’m really curious how IE9 will turn out and if it’ll be able to compete with the open-source browsers.