As
of today I’m making a symbolic stand. This week I’ve stopped
supporting legacy web browsers in my code. No more shims, polyfills or
hacks to make my HTML or CSS code run.
Why am I taking this stand? In the name of PROGRESS.
You see in the old days roads were travelled by foot, carriage or horseback. Now we use cars. We call this progress.
The transition from vinyl to cassette to CD to MP3 is another example of progress.
In
a couple of months we’re having analogue TV closed down. We’ll be
required to buy a new TV or install a set top box in order to decipher a
digital signal. Progress again.
In
the name of progress I no longer support old browsers. Any of them. I
make no apologies for this. Websites I create may not display
perfectly or at all in your old browser. This is not my fault or my
problem – this situation entirely YOUR fault and YOU are to blame.
By
refusing to update your old browser you’re lagging behind. Dragging
the chain. Watching VHS videotapes. Playing records on your
gramophone. What can you do? You can update your browser to the most
current version, in any flavor of OS for free – so what are you waiting
for?
If IE7 doesn’t display a page I created or does something strange
with links don’t whine and moan to me – just update the thing, or
be left behind. Either solution is fine by me.
My
tipping point in taking this stand is quite simple. Browsers that do
not support the HTML5 semantic elements get left behind. In CSS I use
Media Queries to transform the layout (responsive design) depending on
the width of the viewport, so support for Media Queries is also
critical.
Here's how the support for CSS Media Queries stacks up. The good news is that media queries are almost exactly as well supported as the HTML5 elements with 83.72%* coverage.
If your browser doesn’t cut the mustard – it’s time to replace it. Did I mention it’s free to do so? Good.
* source www.caniuse.com
No comments:
Post a Comment