Microsoft marks death of IE6 with flowers

IE6 is dead. Kind of. You want proof? There was recently a funeral held for the aging browser. And even Microsoft got involved.

Internet Explorer 6 may not be dead quite yet, but there is increasing hope that the world is beginning to move on from this antiquated browser that should have been put out to pasture years ago. There’s even been a funeral held for IE6, and Microsoft marked its (supposed) passing by sending a condolence card and a bouquet of flowers. Which was nice.

Despite being succeeded by two newer versions of Internet Explorer, IE6 is still going strong. Much to the chagrin of Web site designers and developers. Even Microsoft wants everyone to move on. And yet 20 percent of Internet users still use IE6 as their primary Web browser.

However, support is starting to slip away for IE6. Web sites and companies are slowly but surely removing support. And Google is the biggest name to do so yet, withdrawing support for the browser for Google Apps and Google Docs already, with YouTube to follow on March 13.

The Aten Design Group of Denver, a Web design firm, took this as its cue to hold a mock funeral for IE6. Those unable to attend were asked to send flowers. Which is exactly what Microsoft did, along with a card which read:

Thanks for the good times IE6. See you all @ MIX when we show a little piece of IE Heaven.

The Internet Explorer Team @ Microsoft

The reference to the MIX suggests Microsoft will be showing Internet Explorer 9 off at the trade show, being held later this month.

The funeral was obviously a publicity stunt, but there’s a serious message behind it. Because IE6 really needs to die as quick as possible to prevent hackers exploiting the browser’s architecture to do harm. While most home users have no doubt either upgraded or jumped ship entirely, a lot of businesses still insist on IE6 being used as the default browser. And until IT departments win that particular argument IE6 will live on.

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• Funeral scheduled for Internet Explorer 6
• Microsoft compares IE6 to out-of-date milk
• Internet Explorer 9 beta: Initial thoughts
• Microsoft still pushing Internet Explorer – even with Windows 7
• Google and Microsoft argue over Chrome Frame security