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
I like your attitude!
“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).”
What if I call you and complain your site doesn’t work on my Android mobile phone? I’m out in the field and don’t have access to a PC/Mac?
I’m also a developer and I find your attitude rather perplexing. Modern web application developers abandoned that mindset years ago. We first code to be compliant with W3C specs. Which means using the best browser or two in regards to the support of those standards. We then go back in, if we must, and add a few CSS tweaks for layouts in IE6+. The use of libraries such as jQuery, Dojo or Prototype takes a lot of that pain out.
In my opinion if you must use IE then use IE9. However if you have a choice then use something (anything) else.
If you want an objective analysis of how your current browser is going to be able to handle the next generation of web applications/sites then use these 2 tests:
http://acid3.acidtests.org/
http://html5test.com/
http://dromaeo.com/?all
BTW - I have talked with Chris Wilson the Microsoft Lead for Internet Explorer and he admitted that their primary objective was; and I quote “To not break the Internet in the view of my grandma using her banking site”.