IE8 ?

[wecpcs]

Yesterday I was on the Java.com site (on Firefox) and a friend in Norfolk (on IE8) was doing the same at the same time and we were getting totally different screens. On Firefox when I was looking at Java downloads for Windows there were 2 versions with exactly the same text for OS's but with different file sizes. On IE8 they were displayed correctly, one for 32bit and one for 64bit, but the file sizes were totally different. So Firefox does not appear to be as good as I thought it was, if it is not displaying data correctly.

Colin

Update:
I have just updated Firefox with the latest update and the problem is still there on the Java site.

[Sebby]

It's not Firefox, it's the Java site, Colin.

[zappaDPJ]

It's usually IE8 that has problems rendering correctly in my experience.

I've got to admit the current version of IE8 is proving to be a bit of pain. The number of websites I've encountered this week alone that IE8 can't cope with is slightly alarming. Setting aside the rending problems it seems IE8 is really struggling to work with interactive content.

As an example I couldn't sign up to http://demand.five.tv/Home.aspx last night because I couldn't check the required tick boxes. I had to load up Chrome to do it. This is just one of six of more sites I've had problems with just in the last few days.

[Sebby]

That sounds like IE8.

[bobleslie]

 

[Den]

It's usually IE8 that has problems rendering correctly in my experience.

I've got to admit the current version of IE8 is proving to be a bit of pain. The number of websites I've encountered this week alone that IE8 can't cope with is slightly alarming. Setting aside the rending problems it seems IE8 is really struggling to work with interactive content.

As an example I couldn't sign up to http://demand.five.tv/Home.aspx last night because I couldn't check the required tick boxes. I had to load up Chrome to do it. This is just one of six of more sites I've had problems with just in the last few days.

Tried the link and had no problem with it and so far have not found a site that IE8 has had a problem with.

[wecpcs]

Tried the link and had no problem with it and so far have not found a site that IE8 has had a problem with.

I have not found one either in all the time I have ever used it, but I have seen at least 2 or 3 sites that do not work correctly in Firefox, probably the sites are configured for IE8 primarily because of it being the dominant browser used.

Colin

[Sebby]

I have not found one either in all the time I have ever used it, but I have seen at least 2 or 3 sites that do not work correctly in Firefox, probably the sites are configured for IE8 primarily because of it being the dominant browser used.

Exactly right.

[Den]

Can I just recap: If it does not work in IE8 it's microsoft fault and if it does not work in Firefox it's microsofts fault. Have I got that right now, just checking.   

[zappaDPJ]

Tried the link and had no problem with it and so far have not found a site that IE8 has had a problem with.

Were you able to create an account there Den?

[Fox]

Can I just recap: If it does not work in IE8 it's microsoft fault and if it does not work in Firefox it's microsofts fault. Have I got that right now, just checking.   

I see you are getting the idea finally 

I have used both IE8 and Firefox, I didnt have any problems with sites displaying correctly with either but I just prefer the look/feel/functionality of Firefox and (on my PC at least) Firefox feels much faster.

[Den]

I have run Firefox, chrome, Opera, IE 7 and now IE8 on my computers. Preferred Firefox to both Chrome and Opera but did not like it anyware near as much as IE 8 and did not find any advantages in staying with them. Just get annoyed when IE gets slagged off just because it is microsoft and in my opinion for no other real reason 

[Rik]

I don't know that it's just because it's MS, Den. I'm happy for people to use whatever browser suits them best, but I know we have to specially code the forum so that it works with IE, simply because MS haven't followed web standards but have tried to impose their own.

[john]

Were you able to create an account there Den?

I was able to create an account or at least tick the boxes after inserting some details (I didn't click on the 'register' button as I didn't want to register). I did have to select compatibility mode though.

Of all the sites that I access I've never had a problem so I'll stick with IE 8 thanks.

I can understand those who create web pages complaining if they have to do some extra work to ensure it displays correctly in IE 8 but I can't believe it is very onerous compared to creating the pages in the first place and as IE 8 is the most widely used browser it would not be in most coders interest not to do so if they want as wide an audience as possible.

[Den]

I still like IE8 though   and I would not defend it so much if others stopped attacking it because they prefer somthing else. I don't rubbish other browsers I just don't think they work for me the way I like so I stick with what I know and like.   

[john]

Well said Den, but it seems to be fashionable these days to rubbish things for purely subjective reasons or for aspects that are of concern to us but don't affect others. Of course we are above all that aren't we 

[Den]

If I had a problem with Windows 7 or IE8 I would not post it on here because of the adverse comments that would come back at me. So all is well in Microsft Land. 

[john]

Not much danger of that Den, I've been using IE in its various versions since 1995 and never had a problem with the browser.

[Glenn]

People seem to be over protective of computers and software lately, is it the time of the year, sun spot activity, or some other reason?

[Den]

Just defending Microsoft as they seem to require defending even though their products speak for them selves. 

[zappaDPJ]

I was able to create an account or at least tick the boxes after inserting some details (I didn't click on the 'register' button as I didn't want to register). I did have to select compatibility mode though.

That's interesting to know because I still can't do it. The only plugin I have running is the google tool bar, I wonder if that's causing an issue.

Thanks for the confirmation, I have some investigating to do  

[Gary]

Just defending Microsoft as they seem to require defending even though their products speak for them selves. 

Microsoft gets bashed over web standards, that's fair, Active X is a security risk, thats known, Microsoft take ages to patch issues, that's well known, people get fed up with those things.

  As to security at least they now offer that basic AV but that's not enough on its own, its a bit like buying home security and then having to employ an on sight security guy as the security can be infiltrated by people easily.
Windows seven is just as open to attack as all the other versions which is a shame, but it is built off Vista so its truly nothing that new. Microsoft need to show show the ingenuity that made windows special, not sit back and ride the same wave for decades, other people catch up that way.

  As browsers go we have a favourite and thats fair, I have found the 64 bit version of Safari to be very fast on my Mac, I was surprised and quite like it, its good to have more than one string to your bow these days online, but when most of the technical world thinks IE is not a good browser it says something very loudly. Its fine to use what you want but many security advisers suggest using an alternative browser. Thats not me bashing it, thats just the way it is. Having to code sights especially for Microsoft because they want to do things there way when everyone else wants a standard is also unfair. We have a universal phone charger coming to make life easy for people, in some ways that is a little like like the browser issue.

Web standards that are there for a reason, not using them makes life more difficult for people who code sites, thats why IE8 has a compatibility mode, as many sites don't work correctly with it, even routers web interfaces need compatibility mode generally.

So is Microsoft expecting everyone to change things to suit them? Yes they are because they have such a massive market share, they are are cyber bully's in a way, and once again at the expense of coders and manufacturers. If they used those standards this would not happen. When MS are seen to do at least that with web standards then they will get less flack from the online community. Its not all about personal usage, you have to see the bigger picture, that's all. I also know Apple are no saints either buy the way, but they don't have a such a massive market share to abuse yet.

[john]

That's interesting to know because I still can't do it. The only plugin I have running is the google tool bar, I wonder if that's causing an issue.

Thanks for the confirmation, I have some investigating to do  

No problem Zappa, hope you are able to sort it out okay (I don't have the Google tool bar running).

[Glenn]

I find at work, that Google, Yahoo & MSN toolbars cause no end of problems, if anyone installs them, they are one of the 1st things that get taken off the machines.

[Den]

I find at work, that Google, Yahoo & MSN toolbars cause no end of problems, if anyone installs them, they are one of the 1st things that get taken off the machines.

I agree and have none of them on my computers perhaps thats why mine run so well