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Upgrade your browser - the more intelligent option
I PROGRAMER ^ | 31 July 2011 | Janet Swift

Posted on 07/31/2011 6:36:07 AM PDT by KyGeezer

Results from an online IQ test taken by over 100,000 people have been reported as indicating the users of Internet Explorer have low IQ and have provoked some IE users to threaten legal action. But the study's findings are valuable ammunition for web developers.

A Canadian company that designs, validates and publishes psychometric tests for recruitment, career guidance and staff development, released its report Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and Browser Usage and found itself at the centre of a storm.

The survey findings were reported by Jared Newman on PC World with the headline "Internet Explorer Users Are Kinda Stupid" and as his story spread AptiQuant started to receive hate mail from IE users.

In an attempt to defuse the situation Leonard Howard, AptiQuant's founder and CEO said,

"I just want to make it clear that the report released by my company did not suggest that if you use IE that means you have a low IQ, but what it really says is that if you have a low IQ then there are high chances that you use Internet Explorer."

And if a quick look at the chart below shows that this is indeed the case. There are three clusters - a below average one comprising all the versions of IE, one that is slightly above average comprising Firefox, Chrome and Safari, and a final one that is again significantly better with three minority browser choices, IE with Chrome Frame, Camino and Opera.

(Excerpt) Read more at i-programmer.info ...


TOPICS: Technical
KEYWORDS: ie; iq
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To: KyGeezer

The IQ survey may be correct, but the need to use “the very best and most advanced” browser IS NOT a burning necessity for the vast majority of users.

The majority of users have a consistent and limited array of browsing requirements that the “middle best”, like a Firefox, is “best suited for them” and still better than IE. That is well good enough for most people.

The geniuses can spend their time with “more advanced” browsers, and unlike most of us they probably have the time to play with them.


41 posted on 07/31/2011 7:46:16 AM PDT by Wuli
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To: caww
I admit I am not at all tek savey.

Nor orthographically savvy, but we're laughing with you, not at you.

42 posted on 07/31/2011 7:49:42 AM PDT by Mr Ramsbotham (Laws against sodomy are honored in the breech.)
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To: KyGeezer

43 posted on 07/31/2011 7:52:06 AM PDT by Little Pig (Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici.)
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To: SuzyQue

I’ve been a software developer (database systems) for more years than I care to say. I started with desktop applications for PCs. Every now and then, I would run into a Mac user and they would ask why I didn’t write for a Mac. Simple... I like to eat.

As years passed, I began developing for web applications. I bought a Mac (MacBook) for testing on Safari-Mac Version. I had IE, Firefox, Safari and Chrome on my PC as they became available. It took all of 30 minutes using the Mac to find out a HUGE difference with a PC. What is that difference? Oh, the three keys you have to press to force a re-boot when it locks up.

In my contracts, I support IE (Windows) and Safari (Mac). When people call that use one of the others, I simply direct them to the browser that came installed on their PC/Mac. To support them all would be a foolish waste of time (money).

My personal preference is anything that displays the site I need to see... when I HAVE to. Other than that, I’d rather be fishing offshore with no computer other than my Garmin units and far, far out of cell phone range.

CC


44 posted on 07/31/2011 7:53:13 AM PDT by CapedConservative (Stop Obama)
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To: KyGeezer

I’m pure dummy material, still using the upgraded version of Netscape called Sea Monkey.


45 posted on 07/31/2011 7:56:21 AM PDT by pallis
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To: Mr Ramsbotham

I know....it’s embarrassing... but I figure if I’m ever going to understand this stuff I have to ask questions and look like a fool....and the shoe does fit.


46 posted on 07/31/2011 7:57:39 AM PDT by caww
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To: Don W

I am not tech savvy, but my son installed Opera and I love it.
It’s very easy to use.


47 posted on 07/31/2011 7:57:58 AM PDT by kalee (The offenses we give, we write in the dust; Those we take, we engrave in marble. J Huett 1658)
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To: CapedConservative

I like your attitude!


48 posted on 07/31/2011 7:58:23 AM PDT by SuzyQue
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To: KyGeezer
I used to use IE, but since they won't make the new editions available for XP, I went to Chrome, which is good once you turn off all the invasive things (that you can). I hate auto-updates as they always interfere with whatever you're doing on your PC at the time. Plus, I want to know what my PC is doing and when it does it (I check Event Viewer every day). Ccleaner is also a good thing to use to check and see what is going on in your PC.

I'm not a fan of Google (hate their politics), but the product is good. And Gmail is easy to use.

49 posted on 07/31/2011 7:59:13 AM PDT by jeffc (Prayer. It's freedom of speech.)
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To: KyGeezer

The funny thing is, most developers like me, develop on Firefox despite the massive memory leak and make exceptions in code for IE. It’s funny because IE is by far the most used browser. I personally prefer Safari for browsing.


50 posted on 07/31/2011 8:01:26 AM PDT by numberonepal (Palin/West 2012)
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To: KyGeezer
I think a more in depth study would have revealed that browser usage wasn't the factor in low IQ at all.

Instead it was the ones who can't figure out when to use capital letters, so they don't use any.
Also the ones who don't know the proper usage of that, than and then and the lowest of IQ's are the ones who support big leftists when they "Google it".

51 posted on 07/31/2011 8:01:58 AM PDT by lewislynn ( What does the global warming movement and the Fairtax movement have in commom? Misinformation)
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To: KyGeezer
"Past iterations of Opera have had trouble with some web sites"

For what it's worth I've found that using the "mask as IE" or "Mask as FireFox" (edit site properties, network) option on problem sites usually fixes that.

As for Netflix if you use the "Mask as FireFox" option it'll work as if you use "Mask as IE" it wants to run ActiveX.

52 posted on 07/31/2011 8:03:02 AM PDT by Proud_texan (Scare people enough and they'll do anything.)
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To: CapedConservative

Do you or anybody else remember this?

http://archive.webstandards.org/ie5.txt


53 posted on 07/31/2011 8:03:10 AM PDT by KyGeezer
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To: willieroe

THANK YOU!!!


54 posted on 07/31/2011 8:09:00 AM PDT by KyGeezer
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To: Fantasywriter

You might give Chrome a try. It seems that they have frozen Firefox and are doing all new development on Chrome. I like the way bookmarks are organized better and the use of space seems cleaner.


55 posted on 07/31/2011 8:11:09 AM PDT by Mycroft Holmes (Returned for regrooving...)
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To: KyGeezer
My major irritation with Win7 is Windows Explorer. I’m sure I’ll end up paying for Total Commander. I want to be able to see a damn directory tree.

It's there. Just click the Organize menu option and select "Layout". Ensure that "Navigation Pane" is selected.

.

56 posted on 07/31/2011 8:12:33 AM PDT by Incorrigible (If I lead, follow me; If I pause, push me; If I retreat, kill me.)
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To: TomGuy

You can open two panes of Windows Explorer and use Windows 7 Snap.

Like this guy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmiPzMY4nuE

Maybe not exactly what you’re looking for but it’s something!


57 posted on 07/31/2011 8:16:36 AM PDT by Incorrigible (If I lead, follow me; If I pause, push me; If I retreat, kill me.)
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To: jeffc
And Gmail is easy to use.

Oh yes it is.

Here's an informative video about gmail:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrkAuwaoFGg

.

58 posted on 07/31/2011 8:24:03 AM PDT by Incorrigible (If I lead, follow me; If I pause, push me; If I retreat, kill me.)
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To: KyGeezer

I think this is more of an early adopter bias
To want to use a different “box”
One needs to be able to see “out of the box”

To be able to see more requires being able to see differently
That is not to say that it is wise to do so
Sometimes the box is there for a reason


59 posted on 07/31/2011 8:26:03 AM PDT by HangnJudge
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To: Incorrigible
It's there. Just click the Organize menu option and select "Layout". Ensure that "Navigation Pane" is selected.

What irritates me with W7 File Explorer is the appearing/disappearing + and - to show folders. Also, highlight one, and the entire list shifts position. I haven't found a tweak to correct that/those.
60 posted on 07/31/2011 8:27:05 AM PDT by TomGuy
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