Another Example of Hindering Innovation: The case of Internet Explorer 6
Like many technology geeks, I was following the IE6 must die saga and found out about Google Chrome Frame project which offers an Internet Explorer plugin that supports HTML5. Being very interested by the phenomenon of hindering innovation, I was struck by Microsoft’s cynicism when it come to bring technological innovation to its users and customers. I mean this case shows how careless monopolies are when an innovator (Google in this case) has to do the monopoly’s (Microsoft) dirty job of upgrading its old technology.
Why is Google giving itself this headache of doing something that it shouldn’t be doing in the first place? Well, because IE6 users are working with technology from the bronze age that is not compatible with today’s standards and platforms. When Google brings innovative technology to the market (ex: Google Wave), it is confronted with the fact that more than 25% of all Internet users (i.e. that’s the percentage of people using IE6) will not be able to work with it. Since that is a big chunk, and that Microsoft shows no intention of upgrading IE6, Google has no choice but to do the work by itself.
All this has no effect other than having innovative products being adopted more slowly and productivity will suffer as a result.
I love how you blame MS for people being tards. IE7 and 8 have been out forever. If anyone is still using IE6 there is not much more MS can do about it. Isn’t having a system in place for automated upgrades enough? Or is this just another pro-Google anti-MS post to inflate your ego in front of your pals?
Not people, but companies. Usually big companies, that invest a lot of money developing for the IE6 in their intranets.
“Since that is a big chunk, and that Microsoft shows no intention of upgrading IE6, Google has no choice but to do the work by itself.”
So IE7 and IE8 are a figment of my imagination then?
The fault that you complain about has nothing to do with Microsoft and everything to do with companies refusing to upgrade their software because of IE6 dependencies. That being the case how is MS the problem?
I have seen many MS bashers – but you top them all! hahaha – I cant help but laugh
Yes, the all-benevolent, savior of mankind – Google Corp – is doing this just to help the oppressed Microsoft users! It sure does not have any ulterior motives.
How come Microsoft discourages users to install Google Chrome Frame? Is it really because there are security issues. Because in that the case, Microsoft should have never shipped Windows or IE: patches are coming by the week.