Testing websites part 1: Internet Explorer on a PC

Unlike most cross-platform browsers, such as Firefox, Opera and Safari, each version of IE has its own little "quirks". These cause it to display pages in ways that are... different, making sites look peculiar and/or unattractive.

Windows users surf the web using various versions of IE. Although it would be nice if everyone stayed up-to-date with the latest version, many internautes like the security of keeping a browser that they know for sure "works".

This is a headache for web developers, as it means testing the design and functionality of their websites in numerous older versions of IE. Moreover, as with most software, installing a new browser involves erasing/overwriting previous installations. A lot of technical know-how is needed to run multiple versions on the same computer, otherwise you may fall into DLL hell.

Fortunately TredoSoft have produced an all-in-one package that allows you to run IE3, IE4, IE5, IE5.5 and IE6. Download the executable program, double-click and you're done: you’ll be able to select one of several IEs to test your website.