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IBM, this is the worst way to handle browser compatibility issues.

By Andrew Pollack on 04/21/2012 at 11:09 AM EDT

What you succeed in doing with this method of handling browser compatibility is take something that MAY NOT work, and turn it into something that DEFINITELY DOESN'T work. I know for a fact that this browser works just FINE with the template, because if I change the browser's identifier to claim it is a different version the template works. More important, you've removed the decision from me. This is the kind of arrogant, unthinking, over-controlling, poor user interface design that has users hating the product line and has help cost you the market.

The appropriate way to handle an unknown browser type is simply to put a highlight bar at the top or bottom of the page -- floating so it stays there if you like -- that says "WARNING: Your browser may not be compatible with the content on this page. For a list of supported browsers, please click here." Then, let the user go about his or her business and get their work done.



There are  - loading -  comments....

re: IBM, this is the worst way to handle browser compatibility issues.By Steve Smillie on 04/21/2012 at 01:25 PM EDT
The methods used are strange.
Are you using Chrome? If so there is an notes.ini setting to prevent the
warning, it works fine but is not certified.
re: IBM, this is the worst way to handle browser compatibility issues.By Dan Frederiksen on 04/22/2012 at 06:49 AM EDT
iNotes_WA_ChromeBrowserBlock=0
re: IBM, this is the worst way to handle browser compatibility issues.By Dan Soares on 04/23/2012 at 10:19 AM EDT
Andrew:

What version are you on? I'm on 8.5.3 and I don't see this warning when using
Chrome.

Dan
re: IBM, this is the worst way to handle browser compatibility issues.By Andrew Pollack on 04/23/2012 at 01:05 PM EDT
I did not say I was using Chrome. That was a suggestion from Steve in a
comment. The reason I didn't post the browser I was using is that it doesn't
matter to my point.

I don't care if the browser is "Job Bob's First Browser" and only three people
on the planet use it. You don't have to SUPPORT it, but you don't just ASSUME
it will not work and refuse to put the content out there.


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