Updating Internet Explorer

[Coldicote]

I have IE7 and Windows XP. I see there are now IE versions 8, 9, and 10, but hesitate to update in case things don't work out satisfactorily. If I were to update to say IE8 or 9, would it be possible to uninstall that version and revert to IE7 where I am now? Advice appreciated.

[scotman]

As I understand it XP can only cope up to IE8. I use FireFox and have IE7 as backup browser.

[Coldicote]

Thank you Scotman, that is one possibility I can try. I'll wait a while and see if any more wisdom is forthcoming.

[beso]

I use IE8 on XP both at home and at work and it is fine.

When IE8 came out many people had trouble with plugins that were not designed to run with IE8.

A lot of problems with browser and site compatability were also due to different ways that browers had implimented new features. All browsers were running ahead of standards so sites needed to duplicate functionality for different browsers.

Some sites used specific code to deal with difference between browsers. Unfortunately they only checked for IE6 and IE (which was taken as IE7). This caused some rendering problems where code was really intended for IE7 while IE8 was looking for the more standardised code. However most sites have adjusted their code since.

Browsers are rapidly converging to standardised code so compatability problems should eventually wane. The latest browsers support HTML5 and CSS3 which allow for very powerful formatting and event sequencing. Sites will continue to support older browsers for a while but eventually IE7 (and even IE8) will definitely give an inferior user experience.

So good old XP's days are numbered. Remember it is ten years ond now and there has been Vista in between.

[Coldicote]

Thank you Beso, I envy you your knowledge. You say that XP's days are numbered and it looks as though change is inevitable eventually, so I'm inclined to 'leave well alone' for the time being - as long as it works!

[vivandorron]

Forget about IE. Get the browser which I understand is used by most of the technologists on AB...Firefox.

Although I operate on Windows Vista, you can still do the same as scotman and I have and that is to keep IE as a 'back-up' browser if needed. Give Firefox a try. It's an easy and a free download.:-

http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/

Ron.

[Coldicote]

Thanks Viv and everyone who has responded. I'll sign off now - Firefox here I come!!