Cross Browser Compatibility Testing
At work this week I have spent a lot of time making sure things look good in all web browsers. These are the browsers that I have been checking things on lately the most.
- Safari
- Flock
- Firefox
- Seamonkey
- Chrome
- Internet Explorer 6
- Internet Explorer 7
- Internet Explorer 8
- Opera
I just threw Seamonkey in the testing for the heck of it. I’m the least concerned about Opera. It is crazy how inconsistent even Internet Explorer is. Some of the sites I’ve been checking look different in IE6, IE7, and IE8 from each other. All unique in themselves. I of course have got to say “Internet Explorer Sucks!” That phrase is an unspoken in most places I’ve worked. Everyone knows everyone else hates IE so you don’t even have to say it.
It can be tricky cross browser checking all the different browsers, so I’ll let you know my setup.
- 24″ iMac – Leopard
Hopefully this has helped someone. Alternatives to VMWare Fusion are VirtualBox and Parallels Desktop. You have to have a Windows install running to test Internet Explorer properly.
This setup is working great for me and I trust the tests I’m running also. I’ve tried Multiple IE’s and always have issues with cookies and form testing. I have found IE Tester works way better than anything I’ve ever used before.
About Brandon Buttars
Internet Explorer 8 is very good because it is as stable as Opera. I hate the previous versions of IE like IE6 because it hangs frequently. “