I think this is great, personally. The only things more I'd wish for from this site:
* It'd be great if it was more clear that Microsoft itself was behind the site (there's just one little logo at the bottom left).
* The home page seems targeted at developers. It'd be great if they had another page targeted specifically at end users spelling out in clear terms why a.) it's bad for them to still be using IE6 (e.g. throw some scary warnings about viruses in there) and b.) what they can do about it (e.g. upgrade or install an alternative browser if upgrade not possible.)
* Now that I think about it, they need another page like the one above but targeted at enterprises. Again, lay out in clear terms all the horrible reasons for using IE6 on the open Internet. Convince them to install alternative browsers on desktops for general browsing and to restrict the use of IE6 to only those specialized applications which absolutely require it.
My wish list is probably already three items too long, so I think I'll quit while I'm ahead.
When in doubt: whois ie6countdown.com (edit: I originally misread your comment as saying, "i don't believe it's Microsoft cause the small logo is unconvincing" -- sorry)
Registrant:
Microsoft Corporation
Domain Administrator
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052
US
Email: domains@microsoft.com
Registrar Name....: CORPORATE DOMAINS, INC.
Registrar Whois...: whois.corporatedomains.com
Registrar Homepage: www.cscprotectsbrands.com
Domain Name: ie6countdown.com
Created on..............: Fri, Aug 07, 2009
Expires on..............: Tue, Aug 07, 2012
Record last updated on..: Thu, Mar 03, 2011
Administrative Contact:
Microsoft Corporation
Domain Administrator
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052
US
Phone: +1.4258828080
Email: domains@microsoft.com
Technical Contact:
Microsoft Corporation
MSN Hostmaster
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052
US
Phone: +1.4258828080
Email: msnhst@microsoft.com
DNS Servers:
ns1.msft.net
ns4.msft.net
ns5.msft.net
ns2.msft.net
ns3.msft.net
Thats ok because after I code for Firefox or Chrome, my work is done and my employer and myself can get onto the next project. The cost and losses having to develop/support all IEs(maybe not 9) is enormous.
There should be a website where all coders go to detail how much extra time they had to spend to make their code work in IE and every six months the site sends Microsoft a bill for lost time & productivity!
The point being that if Ford tells you your Toyota is dangerous then you are likely to ignore them due to bias, but if Toyota tell you your Toyota is dangerous you would listen.
Say you were interviewing someone and their resume looks great. You talk to them and feel the same way, and are ready to hire them. The fact that Knuth calls you and says, "this was my best student in 20 years" is only icing on the cake--you were going to hire him anyway.
It's a good PR move for MS, and one that will hopefully help them in their apparent goal to win devs back over. More importantly, for some random stumbling across the site, a prominent statement that this is MS's idea would be more likely to get them to upgrade than if it appeared to be some random site. The IE8 bit is highly unfortunate, though.
A lot of users don't understand the concept of a browser. 'Internet Explorer' is that thing they use to get to their internet. "What the hell is this Morzilla, I want my Internet!"
I don't understand how jokes (while funny) and snide comments get upvoted more than relevant information. I upvoted your whois post. Thanks for saving me whois time.
Couldn't anyone register a domain with that info though? Obviously not the name servers though if they want the domain to resolve to their site. Just curious.
I think it might be too much for Microsoft to say "you have to get rid of this browser" and then "but you have to upgrade your operating system". For the same reason they're not going to promote FF or Chrome, since those run on XP just fine.
It'd be great if it was more clear that Microsoft itself was behind the site
There are a couple of dead giveaways: IE is the only browser they mention share for, and IE is the only browser they give a download link for, and the fact that they call it "Windows Internet Explorer".
* It'd be great if it was more clear that Microsoft itself was behind the site (there's just one little logo at the bottom left).
* The home page seems targeted at developers. It'd be great if they had another page targeted specifically at end users spelling out in clear terms why a.) it's bad for them to still be using IE6 (e.g. throw some scary warnings about viruses in there) and b.) what they can do about it (e.g. upgrade or install an alternative browser if upgrade not possible.)
* Now that I think about it, they need another page like the one above but targeted at enterprises. Again, lay out in clear terms all the horrible reasons for using IE6 on the open Internet. Convince them to install alternative browsers on desktops for general browsing and to restrict the use of IE6 to only those specialized applications which absolutely require it.
My wish list is probably already three items too long, so I think I'll quit while I'm ahead.