Web Browsers Do Make a Difference

Story by: Colophon Editor
April 3, 2013

We recently had a support query – for a large web application that runs a membership website – that reminded us that the web is connected by billions of people using thousands of different variations of device platform.

In this instance, a user was having trouble logging into the system. The site administrator of the organization appropriately submitted the support ticket and specified the platform information so that we could trouble-shoot and fix the problem.

The platform that was reported was AOL 9.6 Browser. In this instance we responded that we would investigate the issues, but for this particular application we really could not support this AOL browser. We responded this way because, in order to develop very robust web applications, we have to build within the main browser platforms used by the vast majority of people on the earth.

AOL Browser is no longer part of the main list of global browsers. It dropped off the list in 2002, and even then it was only 5% of users.

For recent browser stats see: http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_stats.asp

Chrome is now number 1!

Recommendations for Browsers…

FOR PC

1. Chrome
2. Firefox
3. IE 9 & 10
4. Safari

FOR MAC

1. Safari
2. Chrome
   (Some like Chrome best for Mac, even though Safari is the native default browser.)
3. Firefox
4. Opera

By using these widely supported, and robust browsers you will run into less problems and have a better surfing experience

Mobile browsers are on their way to global dominance and are a topic for another article.

Happy Surfing!