PNG Transparency
Today is the first time in ages that I’ve looked at my site using Internet Explorer (I’m in the TRU computer lab) and I’m reminded why I dislike that browser. With Firefox, — regardless whether I’m on Windows, Linux, or Apple platforms — the icons for my weather widget on the main-page sidebar blend smoothly with the background colour. Internet Explorer can’t handle the transparency of the PNG images, thus the attractive drop shadow designed by the graphic artist doesn’t match the site. For a designer, this means that a change in the site colour scheme requires the designer also re-creates the graphics to match each scheme. Any business with a web presence will appreciate how IE removes the economy of scale as a minor tweak in design requires additional graphic production labour proportional to the size and complexity of the site.
I’m not sure whether I want to make the changes required to make the weather icon look as attractive under IE as it does under any modern browser, but I suppose I will (if I can find the time) since the majority of my visitors use that ancient and almost unavoidable relic of technology.
If you’re currently using Internet Explorer, consider making the quick and painless free upgrade to Firefox.