All These Browsers. . .and the push towards standards

So you've got Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Opera. . . and many others.

Most of us still test and develop in Internet Explorer 6, 7 and 8. I just went into my local bank (Chase) and they were using Internet Explorer 6, which is a myth and a (living) legend.

It was reported last week (or last month) that Internet Explorer 6 was the browser which enabled China to hack through a google app to access major US companies.

It would be nice to hear more details about this, but the mainstream news is caught up on bashing its president instead of trying to create an environment that promoted education, health and general well being.

I happen to enjoy Internet Explorer 6. Its old and outdated but it creates a nice challenge for designers and developers. It forces to you consider the past -- something that the new web world often forgets, even if the past is a few seconds ago.

While Internet Explorer 7 and 8 are more stable (at least when it comes to Front End Development) they are by no means ideal. Why? Well, it is something difficult to explain, but imagine trying to hammer a nail with a screwdriver. . .

Both Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox offer nimble development environments and seem to promote creativity in code. Both of these browsers now have special add ons (I think Internet Explorer might have this too, but I can't imagine using the thing more than I have to) which help enhance your web surfing or creating.

These two tools -- Chrome and Firefox -- are the future of the web, but with the large market share of Internet Explorer still out there and my local (world dominating) bank still using a browser from over 10 years ago to set up new accounts, it looks like for now we have one foot in the past, and one in the future.

Its a good place to be.