Google is extending its push into the Browser Wars by limiting access to it’s sites for users of Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6.
As of March 13th sites like YouTube will begin using features that block the browser from accessing content.
Some zealots say that this is a good thing but maybe they should consider why some users don’t or can’t upgrade before handing down an ultimatum…
After all weren’t we all suppose to be designing sites for accessibility meaning if we wanted to we could all use browsers like Lynx to visit any site…
The Chair of the FCC made a report February 24th 2010 that approximately 35% of America is not on Broadband and the main reason is COST followed by lack of need by the end user. Yes thats right some people still have limited access because they can not afford it BUT it is not just the pipe that needs to be upgraded.
If you are a lower income family or even an a family making the national average income of $43,000 or more then upgrading access to the internet is less of an importance then feeding your family and making sure they have a roof over their head.
Sure Internet access is important today. It helps you find better jobs and get the education you need to qualify and perform those jobs.
But when 35% of people out there just can not justify $40 a month or even half that then you have to respect their choices and their position.
SO LETS GET THIS STRAIGHT
Google has taken the position of limiting access to content…
Sure it may make their jobs a little harder .. they may find it is more difficult to design menu systems or incorporate crap ass JavaScript and other features into their site…
But what the heck … to single out the people that have the least resources and say we don’t want you anymore is repulsive.
For a family upgrading that old computer that lets you email your family across the country … search for work.. look up stuff for school … and maybe have a little fun… can cost a lot.
To be up to date means a total new computer purchase and that is not reasonable.
And before you say there are other options that older computers can run … think about all the overhead that is required of such pieces of software.. more ram … more processing time..
I mean CRAP I ran NT4 Server on a 486 but just browsing menus took minutes…
No this is not reasonable or responsible…
But the fact that they are doing it now on YouTube means less then when they eventually start limiting access to their Search Site or Gmail or other features that Dialup Users can still access.
Crap if a kid wants to sit there on a Saturday afternoon and buffer a video for 20 minutes on Dialup … of his favorite performer on YouTube because he doesn’t have CableTv to watch the video anyplace else.. You are going to take that away from him???
That is just being a DICK
And that is America… what about that kid in Mexico or Eastern Europe..
If you can’t design your sites then you need to hire someone who can.
If an important upgrade causes problems then find a solution because adding all the script to pages makes them more difficult for all of us…
Not to mention YouTube is screwed up now days anyway.. it has become extremely difficult to find videos when searches are limited and when category pages are skewed to moderate the content…
You know instead of Bill Gates spending 40 billion dollars in Africa.. Buffet giving his kids inheritance away to strangers not to his children … and all you weasels costing us billions in tax dollars with your global warming scams that just push jobs to China because we can no longer manufacture in the USA…
Maybe you should find ways to use that money to employ 10 or 20 million Americans to rebuild our economy…
And stop spending your time figuring out ways to screw that kid that just wants to watch a video like his friends do.. on a Saturday Afternoon…
Or that guy looking for a job..
