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Cross Browser Compatibility and Testing Tips
As they would say on HTML Goodies - link opens in a new window, "So, You want to learn how to check your website in a lot of browsers for FREE, Huh?" Well do you?
HTML Goodies was one of the first site we came across when we started designing website - yes we started that long ago - and some stuff just stay with you FOREVER!
What you need for cross browser testing are browsers, obviously, but also platforms - operating systems – that may not always be available to you. Here we address both these issues and hope do give you some good information along the way.
Browsers download
Internet Explorer
Most browsers won't let you run different versions of themselves on the same computer. IE is no different. That's when evolt.org - link opens in a new window comes in. They have stand alone version of many (and we mean MANY) old - and recent - browsers. All you have to do is follow their installation instructions, which is download and install or download and unzip.
For a specific version of Internet Explorer - from 3 to 6 - have a look on http://browsers.evolt.org/?ie/32bit/standalone - link opens in a new window or to get an installation file with all of them bindled in, have a look at Tredosoft http://tredosoft.com/Multiple_IE - link opens in a new window.
Once you have all of the above installed you can check 85% of the total browser population that is likely to come to your site. Aren't you glad you stopped by already - wait there's more.
Other browsers To download
What about the other 15%, I hear you say? Well, for Windows users, we recommend downloading Firefox - link opens in a new window and Opera - link opens in a new window. Don't worry about previous versions of the browsers because Firefox and Opera users usually are internet savvy and use the latest version.
Now you are only left with Netscape - link opens in a new window, and Mac users.
Mac users will either use Firefox or Safari. And how do you check your site on Mac without owning a Mac? Well, you could use BrowserShot - link opens in a new window or BrowserCam - link opens in a new window.
Each has its pros and cons.
Browsershot is free, but you often have to wait a couple of hours - sometimes more - before getting your screenshots. This could be a huge downside if you want to make 'quick' adjustments.
BrowserCam is a commercial website / company and you have to pay for their services, but you have your screenshots ready almost instantly. Want to learn how to pay next to nothing to use BrowserCam? Then read on.
Top tip on how to save money on BrowserCam subscriptions
BrowserCam have teamed up with Fundable.org - link opens in a new window and offer discounted - price wise - payment option by pooling revenues from many web designers or web developpers. Find our more about this on the BrowserCam affiliate - link opens in a new window page or on the Fundable BrowserCam - link opens in a new window page.
We hope you found this tips page useful. If you have any questions or comments, please send us an email - link opens in a new window.
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