realistic webpage tests

[jp2code]

Currently, I only run IE7 on my machine (IE6 keeps upgrading itself).

I know I should test web pages using other platforms, but there are so many!
Opera, AOL, EarthLink, Firefox, Netscape (is it still out there?), etc.

What is the accepted standard for testing web pages? I am only building
pages that are compatible with HTML 4.01, and I do not realistically expect
much traffic.

I don't want to bog the company laptop down with multiple web browsers just
to test a personal page every once in a while. I'd like to get the most
"bang for my buck" by loading as few web browsers as I can get away with.

Any ideas?

 

[Rob ^_^]

Hi jp,

thecounter.com will give you a run-down on global and regional browser and
platform usage.

Currently, globally its IE - 75%, Firefox - 14%, Others....

IMHO you should apportion your development and testing resources to these
ratios.

IE7 and IE6 SP2 use the same rendering engine and there are slight
differences to IE6 SP1. IE6SP2 and IE7 make the bulk of IE usage. Other MSIE
browsers... Maxthon, AOL, Avant, WorldBrowser use the MS rendering engine
thats installed.

So... FireFox...yes... you may also like to download some extensions...
IETab.. Debug extensions...
IE6 or IE7.... you may like to use either the Developer Toolbar
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...64-672d-4511-bb3e-2d5e1db91038&displaylang=en
(IE7)
or the Debugbar (http://www.debugbar.com) or IEWatch
(http://www.iewatch.com)

Some links http://www.positioniseverything.net
CSS compatibility in IE7
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/d...-us/IETechCol/cols/dnexpie/ie7_css_compat.asp

Tips: Avoid complex styling.... KISS, Avoid floating div's, never use
document.all (except for browser detection)

Regards.

 

[jp2code]

Hey Rob,

First, thanks for the info: IE and Firefox should take care of my audience.

Second, thanks for all the other good, unexpected information! That is some
great stuff!

~Joe

 

[Rob ^_^]

Hi Joe,

Yes, I think that its most important that you do your homework first, answer
those questions "Who, What, When and Where" An ounce of planning is a bound
of protection!
Regards.