HTML5 & IE – Coding For Multiple Browsers Into Eternity
June 7th, 2010 Posted By: Shana
Recently, this HTML5 infographic made the rounds here at AVANT. It was really interesting for a lot of reasons, partially because we are positionning ourselves strategically with clients and partners. But the main interest to me (as a producer) was the impact on production workflow – the browser compatibility chart. What stood out more than anything else was that Internet Explorer, once again, is incompatible in its support for the technology that several others seem to be getting behind. Is the Silverlight play SO important that Microsoft intends to leverage XAML against the rogue wave of HTML5? Is that going to be the development battle ground for the next phase of Mac vs. PC?
I understand that Microsoft has made an effort, that thier business is built around proprietary software, IE8 was a big step up, and that IE9 will be even bigger in the right direction. But honestly, its not enough – soon enough – if the focus on UX is REALLY a goal for Microsoft. If this graphic is correct, then it appears that we will have to continue designing for multiple browsers in order to extend apps to multiple devices: All reasonable browsers, IE7, IE8, IE9, sometimes IE6 (still). Our goal is generally the best UX, and we would rather focus on that over bug testing syntax shifts for IE.