Outdated Browser Causes Problems

Last month, more than 300 visitors viewed the Midwest Tape website via outdated browser software. Microsoft originally released Internet Explorer 6 (IE6) in August, 2001; its successor, IE7, released in October, 2006.¹ Thus, IE6 users are viewing the Internet with software that’s been obsolete for nearly five years.

Why Upgrade?
If you’re still using IE6, don’t worry: we’re not here to judge, and you’re not alone by any means. As of June of this year, IE6 still accounts for 3.72% of all U.S. web traffic.² But there’s an effort to change that, encouraging users to upgrade to newer browsing software; interestingly enough, it’s being led by Microsoft itself.³

There are any number of reasons to upgrade, features and security being chief among them. What’s likely most relevant, though, is that many websites have evolved to where they’re no longer compatible with IE6. Midwest Tape is among them; we wrote in September of 2009 that our website had outgrown IE6. We strive to have the best and most user-friendly website for librarians, and IE6 is no longer capable of supporting the technology it takes to provide such an online experience.

What Are My Options?
Fortunately, there are a slew of web browsers that can handle the rapidly evolving, most cutting-edge websites of today. There’s no single right answer; it’s simply a matter of finding one that meets your needs and that you feel comfortable using.


Internet Explorer continues to be the most popular choice, currently holding nearly 53% of the browser market share.⁴ It’s currently on version 8 (IE8), or 9 (IE9) if you’re running the Windows 7 operating system. To download the current version of Internet Explorer, visit http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/internet-explorer/products/ie/home

Or, if you’re so inclined, take one of these other popular browsers for a spin.
Mozilla Firefox: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/fx/
Google Chrome: http://www.google.com/chrome
Apple Safari: http://www.apple.com/safari/
Opera: http://www.opera.com/download/

To aid you in your decision, Top Ten Reviews offers comparisons and reviews for the top ten browsers. If you’re a fan of a particular browser, give us your recommendation in the comments below.

¹ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Explorer
² http://www.sitepoint.com/1-in-5-use-chrome-browser-trends-july-2011/
³ http://www.ie6countdown.com/
⁴ http://www.techspot.com/news/44903-chrome-still-pushing-forward-ie8-falls-below-30-ie6-falls-below-10.html

Sayonara IE6: Reasons to Upgrade Your Browser

Last September, Midwest Tape updated its website to support new features that were incompatible with Internet Explorer 6 (Midwest Tape's Website Developing beyond the Capabilities of IE6). Apparently, we weren’t the only ones. As discontent surrounding IE6’s limited functionality grew within the online community, Google dealt a death blow earlier this year by announcing Google Apps would no longer support the aging web browser (​Modern browsers for modern applications). Along with Google, many other popular websites have dumped IE6 support, including YouTube and Facebook. Aten Design Group, a web development firm, even held a mock funeral for IE6 (IE6 Funeral).

The Importance of Updating
With the internet in a constant state of evolution, browsers and other web-related technologies needs constantly updated to ensure optimal functionality. Released in 2001, IE6 is an aging technological albatross of yesteryear that, in the same vein as VHS and cassette tapes, is simply no longer practical. Using outdated browsers, such as IE6, not only makes users susceptible to a slew of security vulnerabilities, but also limits them in regards to the most contemporary and interactive web features.

Choices
There are a plethora of browsers to choose from, and while everybody might have a preference, no single browser is “the best.” When choosing a browser, always do your research (2010 Internet Browser Software Review Product Comparisons). Although they all offer the same services, each browser is essentially different. Downloads and updates for the more popular browsers can be found here:

Internet Explorer: www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/default.aspx
Firefox: www.mozilla.com/firefox/
Safari: www.apple.com/safari/
Google Chrome: www.google.com/chrome

What’s your take on IE6? What browser do you prefer?

Combating Bandwidth Rates to Ensure Optimal Web Browsing

With the internet becoming more and more integrated into everyday activities, it is only natural for patrons to expect satisfactory internet service from their libraries. However, as reported in an article in Library Journal, “Nearly 60 percent of public libraries report inadequate Internet connection speeds to meet patron demand" (Faced with Too Little Bandwidth…). Undesirable web content, such as pornography and popular streaming media sites such as MySpace.com and Youtube.com, can quickly cripple a library’s internet service.

While there are many things that can cause internet slow-down, libraries have several options in combating ill-wanted content and optimizing their patrons’ web-browsing experience. First, by updating their web browsers to the latest release (Midwest Tape's Website Developing beyond the Capabilities of IE6), libraries can help protect their computers and their networks from resource-hogging malware. Second, libraries can regulate bandwidth to streaming media sites or use third-part software to block certain content all together.

How is your library addressing issues with connectivity speed, malware, and undesirable web content? Share your experiences here as comments.

Midwest Tape's Website Developing Beyond the Capabilities of IE6

With the Internet developing at a rapid pace, Internet technology companies must continuously release new versions as well as updates for their web browsers. Using outdated browsers not only makes users susceptible to a slew of security vulnerabilities, but also limits them in regards to the most contemporary and interactive web features. Here, we discuss how using current web browsers relates to Midwest Tape (Midwest Tape & You), detail the three most prominent web browsers in use (Major Browsers), and explain the importance of always using the most up-to-date browser (The Importance of Updating).

Midwest Tape & You

Midwest Tape’s website has received much praise over the years for its helpful features and ease of use. And we have even greater features planned for the future; however, these elements will not function with Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 6.

In order to deliver our next round of updated features, we will be unable to support Internet Explorer 6 in the very near future. Many leading websites in other industries are reaching the same conclusion and discontinuing support for Internet Explorer 6 as well.

Major Browsers

Internet Explorer

Used en masse since the release of Windows 95, Internet Explorer (IE) is perhaps the most popular web browser in the world. Internet Explorer comes pre-installed on all Windows-based computers and updates through the Windows Update service. Still in wide circulation, Internet Explorer 6 was originally released with Windows XP. However, Microsoft has since released Internet Explorer 7 and 8, which should be compatible with any machine still using IE6.

Mozilla Firefox

Released in 2004, Firefox has quickly become a heavyweight in the web browser market. As of 2009, it made up over 22% of the recorded usage of web browsers¹. Firefox goes through routine updates, automatically downloading them and prompting users to restart their browsers.

Safari

Safari is a web browser developed by Apple Inc. and was first released with Mac OS X. Much like Internet Explorer on Windows systems, Safari comes pre-installed on Mac computers and automatically updates with the operating system.

The Importance of Updating

One of the key reasons to always use the most up-to-date web browser is to ensure effective use of today’s foremost web features, which rely on current web browsers for proper functionality. For example, Microsoft released Internet Explorer 6 in 2001, and the now outdated browser does not support many of the current standards used in developing today’s leading web applications.

In addition to web applications, updated web browsers ensure the security of computers and their networks. For instance, since releasing Internet Explorer 7 in 2006 and Internet Explorer 8 in 2009, Microsoft has stopped creating updates for Internet Explorer 6. According to Secunia, a leader in Web security, Internet Explorer 6 contains 142 vulnerabilities that leave your computers at risk. Of those 142 vulnerabilities, 22 remain unresolved and pose a serious security risk.

The easiest way to correct these security issues is to upgrade your outdated browser to the most current one available, for instance, Internet Explorer 8, Mozilla Firefox 3, or Safari 4.

Where to Update

Internet Explorer: www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/default.aspx

Firefox: www.mozilla.com/firefox/

Safari: www.apple.com/safari/

If you have any questions or feedback about updating your browser or the Midwest Tape website, please post them here as comments or contact our Customer Service Department at 1.800.875.2785.

¹Reporting from Market Share by Net Applications