At the end of January, Google announced that it would phase out support for older browsers, including Internet Explorer 6 (IE6), starting on March 1st. You can read the announcement here.
As we mentioned here last August, Internet Explorer 6 doesn’t conform to the current HTML and CSS programming standards. It - and other older browsers - are also more vulnerable to cyber-criminals; a vulnerability in Internet Explorer 6 was used to attack Google and other companies in December.
In practical terms, what does this mean for IE6 users? (We know you’re still out there....) In their announcement, Google said that some of the functionality in their Google Docs and Sites editor may no longer be supported in the old browsers effective March 1st; impacts to Google Mail (Gmail) and Calendar will occur later in the year.
If your firm has considered upgrading, now’s the time... some firms skip straight to Internet Explorer 8 instead of 7; occasionally a law firm switches to Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome.
I was surprised recently when a colleague wasn’t familiar with netbooks; I’ve been contemplating purchasing one for some time now. With Apple’s recent announcement regarding the release of the iPad, a new tablet computer, I thought it would be an opportune time to look at the various portable computer options.
The first portable computer was the IBM 5100; it weighed about 55 pounds (exceeding the current limit on most airlines for checked baggage!). Nowadays, the standard laptop, or notebook, is designed for mobile use with almost a full-size screen and keyboard, and weighing in between 3 and 12 pounds. There’s a wide variety of laptops currently available, ranging from low cost laptops for basic use to gaming laptops with high-end graphic processors.
Netbooks are even smaller; they’re usually between 7 and 11 inches wide and weigh 2 or 3 pounds. I’ve seen teenagers pull them out of backpacks or purses; they’re that small! As the name implies, they’re designed to access the internet; they’re typically sold with built-in wireless access. The sacrifice, especially for those of us putting on the years, is the smaller screen and what seems like a miniature keyboard. (I realize, they’re larger than the keyboard on our smart phones, but I don’t try to type on those with both hands!) But they can be supplemented with larger USB keyboards (like this foldable one) or Bluetooth keyboards (like this Laser Virtual Keyboard).
Which brings us to Apple’s recent announcement... the iPad. A tablet PC – the iPad won’t be the first on the market – is shaped like a writing slate, and includes either a stylus or touchscreen, with the option of using a keyboard. Like netbooks, these are ultra-portable computers that can be used where a normal laptop might be impractical. They are, not surprisingly, more expensive than their laptop equivalents in processing power, which are in turn more expensive than their desktop equivalents. The initial information regarding the iPad shows a larger version of the iPhone, which so many people already use, with more power, functionality and a larger screen (9.7 inches).
As neat as the iPad will be, I’m still inclined to get a netbook. How about you?
-- Frances
2009 was a busy year here at Inherent, as you can see from our Portfolio and Awards pages. We were so busy launching award-winning Web sites, we forgot to update our blog!
Here’s a peek at some of the Web sites we debuted in 2009:
- Curiale Hirschfeld Kraemer LLP underwent a re-branding to coincide with the firm’s name change; their new logo and Web site reinforce their focus on Employment Law. Their Web site has been honored with an Outstanding Achievement in Web Development from the Web Marketing Association; as a Gold winner in the Hermes Creative Awards competition; and an "Outstanding Achievement" Award in the Legal Category from the Interactive Media Awards.
- The MacDonald Illig Web site rolled out with a design that ties into their new logo and integrates photos of their attorneys and local landmarks throughout the site. This Web site won a 2009 Communicator Award of Distinction for the overall Web site design.
- Another of our Web sites that has been honored with multiple awards is the new Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP site. Their new site places a strong focus on their community involvement and diversity efforts; a customized spotlight module allows them to highlight their latest involvement across the site. Their site has been recognized as a Platinum winner in the Hermes Creative Awards competition and as an Outstanding Achievement in Web Development from the Web Marketing Association.
- Horvitz & Levy LLP needed a new Web site to go with the new logo Inherent developed for them. Their home page highlights quotes about their appellate law practice, moving to a striking vertical design on the secondary pages. This distinctive design won an "Outstanding Achievement" Award in the Legal Category from the Interactive Media Awards.
And that’s just some of the sites we unveiled last year; take a look at our Portfolio to see some more....
HTML, which stands for Hypertext Mark-up Language, is the scripting language used to tell Web browser how to display text, links and other features on Web pages. It is typically combined with CSS, Cascading Style Sheets, to define the appearance across different browsers. Standards for both HTML and CSS are developed by the W3C, or World Wide Web Consortium.
HTML has existed since 1991; well before most people were accessing the internet from their homes. Cascading Style Sheets were introduced in the late 90's, but full browser support wasn't available for several years. In fact, Internet Explorer 6, which was released in 2001, doesn't full support the CSS 2 standards that were published in 1998.
Now, sit back and think about what you could do online in 2001, compared to what you can do today. Now, pull out your smartphone (you may remember, we talked about them last June) and see what you can do online there.
We're all still programming for standards that were released in 1998 (for CSS) and 1999 (the latest for HTML), incorporating new technology as best as the standards and browsers allow. But some people are still using a browser from 2001 – Internet Explorer 6 – that doesn't conform to even those standards.
The W3C moves slowly... slower than browser versions... the recommendations for HTML 4.01 were released in December 1999; the Working Draft (step 1 of 5 in their process) of the HTML 5 standards was released in January 2008. But the changes it will bring will make it easier for programmers to incorporate snazzy new technology, like Adobe Flash and other video technology, and is expected to make document editing easier for the non-programmers among us.
Of course, once their recommendation for the HTML 5 standards is announced, new versions of the popular browsers will have to be created; the older browsers will just ignore the new functionality. Perhaps then, people will upgrade from Internet Explorer 6, so they don't miss out on the new features.