Why Geeks Hate Internet Explorer: A Historical Look

The Historical Roots of Internet Explorer's Dislike

A widespread sentiment exists among technology enthusiasts regarding their aversion to Internet Explorer. However, the origins of this dislike are often not fully understood.

This article aims to provide an objective examination of the historical context, tracing the evolution of Internet Explorer and the reasons behind its reputation.

Early Dominance and the Browser Wars

Initially, Internet Explorer wasn't viewed negatively. It gained prominence due to its integration with the Windows operating system.

The late 1990s witnessed the "Browser Wars," a period of intense competition between Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator for market share.

Microsoft's Tactics and Standards Deviation

During this competition, Microsoft employed strategies that ultimately contributed to the negative perception of Internet Explorer.

These tactics included leveraging its dominance in the operating system market to promote Internet Explorer, often at the expense of open web standards.

Non-Compliance and Web Development Challenges

Internet Explorer frequently deviated from established web standards, creating significant challenges for web developers.

Developers were often forced to write separate code specifically to ensure their websites functioned correctly in Internet Explorer, a process known as "browser sniffing."

Improvements Since IE 9

It's important to note that significant improvements have been made to Internet Explorer since version 9.

Subsequent versions have focused on enhancing performance, incorporating new features, and achieving greater compliance with web standards.

Despite these advancements, the historical baggage and lingering perception of incompatibility continue to influence opinions.

A Legacy of Frustration

The early issues with Internet Explorer created a legacy of frustration for developers and users alike.

This historical context is crucial for understanding the enduring dislike, even as the browser has evolved.

The Early Days of Internet Explorer: A History of Innovation

It’s common to view Internet Explorer as an outdated, sluggish browser, however, its initial impact on the web was profoundly positive. In its early iterations, Internet Explorer was actually a pioneer, establishing many of the foundational elements of the modern internet experience.

A Look Back at Internet Explorer’s Development

Let's explore the often-overlooked history of this once-dominant browser.

1996: The Arrival of Internet Explorer 3

Introduced in 1997, Internet Explorer 3 marked a significant turning point. It was the first browser to fully implement CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). This version also brought features like Java applets and, notably, ActiveX controls to the forefront.

1997: Internet Explorer 4 and its Innovations

Internet Explorer 4 boasted a remarkably fast rendering engine for its time. This engine wasn’t confined to the browser itself; it could be integrated into other applications, a feature that proved surprisingly impactful.

Furthermore, this release introduced Dynamic HTML, enabling web pages to alter their content dynamically using JavaScript. Integration with Active Desktop was also included.

Interestingly, IE4 wasn’t limited to Windows. It was available for Mac OS, Solaris, and HP-UX. By the time Internet Explorer 5 launched, IE4 had captured a substantial 60 percent of the browser market.

1999: Internet Explorer 5.x and the Birth of Ajax

Surprisingly, Microsoft played a crucial role in the development of Ajax technology. Internet Explorer 5.x introduced the XMLHttpRequest feature in JavaScript, which is the core technology powering many modern web applications, such as Gmail.

While the term “Ajax” itself wasn’t coined until later, this version of IE provided all the necessary components for its functionality.

Microsoft’s Period of Rapid Advancement

Between versions 3 and 6, Microsoft dedicated significant resources to innovation, consistently releasing new features and improved browsers at a faster pace than its competitor, Netscape.

Netscape 3 Gold was known for its instability and frequent crashes, while Netscape 4 suffered from slow performance and rendering issues, particularly with CSS, often leading to browser failures.

In a historical parallel, developers at the time voiced similar frustrations with Netscape as they later did with Internet Explorer 6.

The Origins of Dislike: Why Internet Explorer Faced Criticism

The initial issues surrounding Internet Explorer stemmed from its integration into Windows as a mandatory component. Removing it or utilizing an alternative browser proved challenging for users. Furthermore, Microsoft’s attempts to leverage its market dominance to displace Netscape Navigator fostered a perception of the company as monopolistic.

A Period of Stagnation: Microsoft’s Diminished Effort

Following the 2001 release of Internet Explorer 6, which introduced numerous features for web developers, Microsoft experienced a decline in competitive pressure. Holding a 95 percent market share, the company largely ceased innovation. Remarkably, five years passed with minimal updates, even after the emergence of Firefox, prompting a significant shift in user preference among tech-savvy individuals.

Proprietary Features and Standards Compliance

A core problem with Microsoft’s approach to innovation was its frequent deviation from established web standards. While this wasn’t initially problematic when Internet Explorer held exclusive dominance, the arrival of Firefox and Webkit – browsers adhering to standards – highlighted the incompatibility issues for web developers.

Security Vulnerabilities and Instability

Due to a lack of ongoing development and competitive responsiveness, Internet Explorer became increasingly susceptible to bugs and security breaches. These vulnerabilities were often severe. As an illustration, the following code snippet is sufficient to cause Internet Explorer 6 to crash:

<script>for(x in document.write){document.write(x);}</script>

The image displayed earlier in this article demonstrates a live test of this specific flaw.

Delayed Improvements: The Impact of IE7 and IE8

It took five years after the release of IE6 for Microsoft to introduce Internet Explorer 7. This version included tabbed browsing and offered a slight improvement in usability, but it remained a challenge for web designers. The need to ensure compatibility across two browsers – IE6 and IE7 – added complexity to their workflow.

Another 2.5 years elapsed before the launch of Internet Explorer 8, which significantly enhanced CSS support for developers. New features like private browsing, tab isolation (preventing crashes from affecting the entire browser), and phishing protection were also incorporated. However, by this time, a substantial portion of the tech community had already transitioned to Firefox, with many subsequently adopting Google Chrome.

Why Technical Experts Dislike Internet Explorer

It’s a misconception that those with technical expertise universally dislike all things outdated or subpar. In reality, many enjoy retro computing, demonstrating affection for systems like the Atari, NES, and Commodore 64. We value our technical knowledge.

However, Internet Explorer elicits a uniquely negative response. Several factors contributed to this sentiment, ultimately pushing many to a point of frustration.

The Challenges of Supporting Internet Explorer for Web Developers

Supporting IE presents significant difficulties for web developers. Imagine a web designer dedicating hours to crafting a visually appealing page, meticulously testing it across Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Opera. The result is a polished, professional appearance.

Opening the same page in Internet Explorer, however, can reveal a drastically altered, often distorted layout—as if the design had been subjected to chaotic processing. Considerable additional time is then required to achieve an acceptable appearance in older versions like IE6 and IE7, frequently accompanied by vocal dissatisfaction.

Fortunately, by 2014, usage of Internet Explorer 6 and 7 had become statistically insignificant. Many major websites ceased support for these versions. Even Internet Explorer 8’s usage declined to single-digit percentages for numerous sites.

The Imposition of Internet Explorer on Technical Users