No matter what anyone says, it's not feasible to test in every browser ever made, even if, by some stroke of luck, you had access to all of them. There are just too many. So even the best Web designers will test in as many browsers as they can, while focusing on the most important browsers (often called
graded browser support). But how do you decide which are the A+ browsers and which are the F? I've had a number of other browser polls on this site, but this time I'm asking you which are the 3 most important browsers to test your Web pages in. You can vote for more than 3, but I'd ask that you don't. Thanks!
Other browser polls:
What browser do you see yourself using in the future?
What’s your favorite Web browser?
What Web browser do you primarily use for browsing the Web?
Do you test your site on multiple browsers?
Comments
The real answer should be whatever browsers the site audience is using. With web analytics that give you this information, within a month or so you can easily make sure your site is working properly for those who view it.
I like to test with Browsershots (www.browsershots.org) - it will give you screen shots of a website in many browsers. When a client reports a problem they are usually using an older browser. Browsershots helps identify the culprit.
Does anyone have a Windows-based web browser that behaves like an iPod or other mobile viewing experiences for testing and developing mobile-ready sites?
That’s easy - whatever your boss and client use! The rest are just for kicks.
The poll didn’t work in FF3.0.3 LOL!!
Canuck: Thanks for the report. Can you send a note to About.com customer care http://webdesign.about.com/gi/pages/pform.htm letting them know what went wrong? I use FF 3.0.3 as well, and it works just fine for me.
Thanks!
I, too, am using FF3.0.3 and can’t see the poll at all. However, as over-tired as I am, I’m likely to be overlooking it.
Overtired? Oh yeah…my scripts were disabled.
Jennifer, how about an article aimed at those of us who too frequently can’t seem to shut it down, thereby leading us to pull all nighters? Any suggestions about how to balance life and working from home?
Marilyn: I would love to write an article about how to “shut down” if I could figure that out for myself.
Actually, one way that has worked for me is to have a child - I’m so tired I have fallen asleep at my keyboard! Of course, then Jaryth wakes me up, cause he’s hungry… So maybe not the best solution.
Seriously though, I’ll give it some thought and see if I can find a guest author or some insight into the question - as you’re right it’s a common problem for designers.
How to balance home and work? Begin with a calendar/schedule of activities to be completed within the hours of 9-6pm. Set the alarm for the end of your work day. Then, end it. After you put the kids to bed and wash dishes, if you must, set the alarm again and time yourself for one hour. Simple. Just do it.