What Browsers to download?

I assume you're on a PC.

I recommend testing with Mozilla and Opera.

For more extensive testing, you could test on different OSs:

If you have access to a second PC, or are running dual Windows OSs, you could install and test on IE5 (if you have 6) or IE6 (if you have 5).

If you have access to a Mac, you'd want to test on IE5, and maybe other Mac browsers like iCab and OmniWeb.

I'm not too sure about Linux. No good experience there.

I would also remind anyone testing in Opera to test with not only versions 6 and 7 (which can both be installed at the same time) but also to make sure you test with Opera identified as NS, IE, and Opera.

You may also want to get Netscape 4, 6, and 7. I would make sure your site looks ok in NS 6 and 7 but as for NS 4 you might just want to make sure that your pages "fails nicely". This means that although layout isnt pretty the user can still get information without missing content.
-dk

Check out this page for an extensive list of web browsers: http://browsers.evolt.org/

Found it a minute ago in Mike Tuck's article, Practical Web Design: Fundamentals of Web Design Part 1 at Sitepoint.

Quote: Check out this page for an extensive list of web browsers: http://browsers.evolt.org/

wow, so many browsers, whats the point? i dont see how different it can be from the standard IE.

Ok I download Mozilla and Opera. Mozilla seems like a good browser but Opera is complete garbage as far as I can tell. There are big annoying boxes down the side with info on "buying opera" and if you close them, they close the internet window as well. Of course I am going to stick to using IE, I just want these browsers for testing purposes. I just checked and it seems that I am running IE 5.0, I think its time for an upgrade.

You can buy opera (gives you no adverts)
Opera does have its perks, built in validation (on right click frame/validate), option to turn off everything including tables, option to block pop ups ...

I perfer mozilla too and still use IE5 - wont upgrade to 6, maybe 7 when it comes out

Quote: wow, so many browsers, whats the point? i dont see how different it can be from the standard IE.

Each browser has its quirks, IE especially. But you obviously only need to pay attention to the major ones, unless you have a non-mainstream audience.

Also, you'd want to test for 'decent failure' or degradation of a current-standards coded webpage in older browsers, or text-only browsers.

Unfortunately it doesn't matter which browsers we like. I am sure if we had our own way (webdesigners) then there would be 1 or 2 browsers which both process the page in the same fashion. I myself hate the new netscape browsers. They seem slow and cumbersome to me but that doesn't mean I don't check my designs on them when I am designing. This is because if you have a webstat program for your domain then you can weigh up about how many visitors to your site use each browser. I would rather not forfeit that 10% of viewers using NS6/7. Now if you look at your stats then you can make your own judgements about what browsers you really need to design for. I guess what I am trying to say is I still think that to some extent the webmaster designs for his visitors browsers. This sort of rejects what many people think. That if we all switch over and design for a few browsers then everyone will switch to those browser. No. There are just too many site which will work in other browsers. And if you think about it, for a visitor choosing to look at a different website to is easier to do then to try and sort through your distorted page. Unless you are providing some sort of exclusive service on your website, something that is only availible from you, then it helps your business's website to strive and make your site compatible with as many browsers as possible.
-dk

There has been a few threads on the browser topics, mainly that logs and web stats aren't reliable as Opera has IE as default and some logs/stats count NS seperatly where as IE combines them

For validation in Moz and N6+ -- http://checky.mozilla.org

Busy, although Opera can identify as IE or NS to the browser, it idetifies itself to the server as Opera. This is why you can use php or asp to detect Opera where javascript might be fooled.
-dk

i personally like the new netscape, new sites as tabs instead of new windows...built in pop-up blocking

i heard mozilla is really good, and thats what i will be switching to...constant updates sounds real secure to me (even if it is fairly new), lol...most things are more secure than anything microsoft...lol

The key is penetration rates. Look at what browsers people are using then code to the lowest common denominator you can afford to support. If you worry yourself with trying to meet the requirements of all browsers you may go mad.

Some nice penetration rate statistics are here:
http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_stats.asp

I ususally code for IE5.x and up and NS4.72 and up. Your target audiences may be different than mine though so listen to your visitors' feedback.

Hope this is of some help.
Good luck~