Not everyone is born to tame the web.

Let’s face it, if your client is running Internet Explorer 6 then asking them for their browser version is likely beyond their technical savvy. So how do you find the browser version in Internet Explorer 6, 7 and 8?

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It’s actually pretty easy if they are running one of these older versions. First, have them hit ALT+H then select About Internet Explorer, there they will see version number — something along these lines: 6.0.2900.5512.xpsp_sp3_gdr .100427-1636

Have them read it back, or copy/paste the version number to you and presto… no more mystery why that awesome new bit of AJAX you’ve developed is not working.

All to often corporations, government agencies, and less savvy users have been slow to adopt new browser versions. It is important that we as developers understand the limitations of older browsers, like IE6, when developing for the next generation. This might read a little strange from a website running the variety of complex pieces of design code that we do but when we develop a flagship website we sit down as a team and with the stakeholders to make a conscious decision pertaining to the accessibility of the site by older browsers. It avoids the risk of compatibility issues later in the project which in turn protects the timetable and creative process.

A lot of developers no longer offer support for browsers such as IE6 but that is a topic for another time.