Companies Enslaved to IE6 in No Hurry to Upgrade to Windows 7
Companies Enslaved to IE6 in No Hurry to Upgrade to Windows 7
Posted 10/29/2010 at 8:36am
| by Paul Lilly
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In the long run, Microsoft didn't do itself any favors by releasing Internet Explorer 6 as a non-standard browser. Now all those companies who were forced to develop apps specific to the nine-year-old browser are struggling to migrate to Windows 7, according to market research firm Gartner.
Even worse for these companies is that Microsoft doesn't seem all that interested in fixing a problem it created, instead hoping to sweep IE6 under the rug.
"Microsoft would rather put the non-standard browser technology behind it," said Michael Silver, an analyst with Gartner. "Microsoft needs to explore all avenues that could ease the transitions away from IE6."
Here's the problem. Businesses still clinging to IE6 told Gartner that 40 percent of their browser-depending apps don't work with IE8, which comes baked into Windows 7. Fixing these apps to run in IE8 takes a sizable investment, both in time and money, and temporary workarounds all carry downsides. Probably the most promising is to use application virtualization tools, but as far as Microsoft is concerned, that's a violation of licensing agreements.
"It's ironic that Microsoft would oppose methods that would help organizations accelerate the move to Windows 7," Silver said. "Microsoft must do more to help organizations with their IE6 problems that Microsoft helped create."
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Nimrod
October 30, 2010 at 8:45pm
ouragous. Any company still stuck in IE6 land aught to be shamed into silance for their own stupidity. IE6 was total shit even when it was brand fking new.
anonymuos
October 30, 2010 at 1:11pm
It's because Windows 7 and Vista are the same products, slightly different. Vicious circle of adding features, taking away existing ones. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_features_removed_in_Windows_7 and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_features_removed_in_Windows_Vista.
w7pro
October 30, 2010 at 4:25pm
Windows 7 is certainly not the same as Vista!
Windows 7 offers some mobility, data security, and compatibility features. With Windows 7, you can work from almost anywhere using security and productivity features that help you get more done. If you're trying to decide on an OS, you can compare Windows 7, Windows XP, and Windows Vista by feature at http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/compare?T1=tab20.
I hope this sheds some light on the differences between Vista and Windows 7 :)
Ahmad AA
Windows 7 Professional Outreach Team
RtDK
October 29, 2010 at 10:51pm
I don't think Redmond is obligated to do ANYTHING. Their software, like any other, is take-it-as-it-is, with no guarantees it will always remain relevant. IE6 is obsolete, and has been for several years. Companies stuck back in the dark ages of tech should invest in upgrading or appeal to their software vendors that rely on this ancient tech to start working on newer, better versions.
But from what I can tell, it's FAR from MS' responsibility to fix a mess that isn't theirs. I work for a company that has to use IE6--but it's the software we use that relies on that browser, so the way I see it, it's the software maker that's behind the times.
einstein1971
October 29, 2010 at 1:04pm
Well, this article is full of inaccurate information. First, in 2001 when IE launched there was no decided upon standard over ActiveX vs java script (and Active X is the issue). Second, XP Mode (which is free with Windows 7) is intended specifically to address this problem. Third, For large Enterprise organizations with Enterprise Agreements they have the option of adding MDOP. MDOP allows a company to virtualize IE 6 and run it in Windows 7 or centrally manage XP virtual images using MED-V.
I would suggest not having someone with a basic understanding of consumer tech writing about Enterprise tech. Mr. Lilly just embarrassed himself with his lack of knowledge.
COMMANDER_COOK
October 29, 2010 at 2:15pm
I wouldn't say he embarassed himself, I think it shows how retarded the IT departments are in those companies.
Arclite
October 29, 2010 at 8:49pm
They intentionally made the browser non standard so that sites and apps developed on IE6 would not work on Netscape. That is part of what drove Netscape out of business. Then crappy IE6 was the only browser for years b/c there was no competition until open source FF was developed.
aerogamer
October 29, 2010 at 9:33am
Yeah! Blame Microsoft for compnies hiring and direction programmers to develope non-standardized apps... Sure IE in all forms sucks, but still: it's not like it isn't their fault for using proprietary standards instead of those still supported otherwise.
sniggler
October 29, 2010 at 8:56am
After all, isn't this the Micro$oft we have come to know and love?
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