Ask HN: Is it safe to assume IE users don't care much about design?

2 pointsgosuri3 comments

I'm developing a web app and optimizing for IE has been hell as most of you must have experienced, is it okay to assume that IE users don't really care about the cool CSS3 effects?

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I wouldn't assume they don't care. The majority of people still using IE6 do so because it's the only browser their IT department will allow on their workstations (http://about.digg.com/blog/much-ado-about-ie6).

That said, because of the difficulties, it's generally acceptable to provide some base functionality/design for all browsers while layering on cool CSS effects for modern browsers as a form of progressive enhancement (using CSS border radius for example).

Of course, all of this depends on your specific user base and the importance of those IE users.

I think this is dead on and the only thing I would add is if they are wanting to use your web app, and thus be a user, I would treat them like every other user you have. It doesn't mean they will get exactly the same interface, but your view of them should be the same.

I think IE6 users don't care about browsers or don't have a choice. I doubt it has anything to do with not caring about design.

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