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20 Dec 2005
Microsoft plans to discontinue support for its Internet Explorer browser on Mac OS X at the end of this year.
The company mothballed the browser, which is currently on version 5.2, in June 2003 after Apple released Safari. Development ever since has been limited to the release of security patches.
As recently as November Microsoft's website touted Internet Explorer as an "award winning" browser that "makes it easy to view and find information on the internet".
That webpage was changed last week and is now informing visitors: "In accordance with published support lifecycle policies, Microsoft will end support for Internet Explorer for Mac on December 31 2005, and will provide no further security or performance updates."
Microsoft plans to pull the download from its website on 31 January.
Internet Explorer was once the dominant browser on the Mac platform and was bundled with the OS X operating system as the default. But after Apple released Safari, the vendor has slowly phased out support for the Microsoft browser.
OS X initially shipped with both IE and Safari, the latter being set as the default. Safari become the only browser included with the system when Apple released OS X 10.4 Tiger in April.
The current number of Internet Explorer users on Macs is expected to be minimal. In November Safari had a 2.78 per cent share of the overall browser market, according to data from Net Applications.
The research did not identify users of Internet Explorer for the Mac from the Microsoft browser's overall share.
Net Applications' data showed Apple computers making up 4.11 per cent of the world's internet users in November. Alternative browsers including Firefox, Opera and Netscape are still available for OS X.
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Do you agree?
Mac v PC
Most comments seem to relate to dyed in the wool advocates for each operating system. I use both but prefer Macs - my choice! However much comment focussed on IE v other browsers, notably Firefox, which incidentally I use on both platforms. Perhaps before we get too uptight about the various browsers and operating systems we should ask all browser developers to make sure that they conform to W3C standards and we don't have to fall back on workarounds to get websites to display the same on all browsers.
Posted by: BrizWiz 15 Nov 2006
Realtors with MAC's need explorer for MLS
As a realtor I have a problem. The MLS system is only on Explorer - what do I do now???
Posted by: Marilyn Matura 26 Jan 2006
Co-exist
I am new to Apple after 15 years on Microsoft OS. All I can say is there aren't huge differences between the two, either one can do 99% of your daily work and home entertainment. Why put up a fight on Mac-MSF The only trouble I find is some Java apps only run on IE6.x which is quite a problem on my new Mac.
Posted by: Dolcetto 09 Jan 2006
Forgot I even had IE
Mozzila is the best on Macs, Camino is the fastest I've found, FireFox is good but slower! Opera is good but has to much! Microsoft keep their Browser! Won't be long when everybody will be using OSX on PC instead Windows, like me! And I can't wait to put OSX on my Microsoft XBOX360! Microsoft is good company, but still to greedy
Posted by: Raggo! 03 Jan 2006
Mac?
Never mind getting it off the mac how about getting it off windows? That would do far more good since if it was optional the "browser mix" would be less biased toward it and hence it would not be the target for attack that it has now become. As the Developer said "It [should] be all about choice".
Posted by: Joe Fedora 22 Dec 2005
It's about time
After all. I bade farewell to Microsoft on my Macs ten years ago. It's about time they reciprocated.
Posted by: gene Warech 21 Dec 2005
why use IE?
my major question: why would anyone use IE in mac anyway? Safari isn't bad... and macs DO run Firefox... so everyone should just use firefox cause it kicks IE's butt anyway.
Posted by: Ryan 21 Dec 2005
Two Crackpipe Users
Both of your comments are pathetically stupid. M$ will be around longer than either of you two. Your irrational hatred clouds your judgement.
Posted by: JohnnyO 20 Dec 2005
Mac blows
MS will rule the market for as long as computers exist. The problem with making anything mac is apple itself. They come out with their own crap free apps to put their competitors out. Apple zealots think whatever apple makes is golden. The cult members just love to jump for joy when jobs makes them pay top price for last years technology. We all love it when apple comes out with something new?they just steal their ideas from others and slap an apple logo on it?frontrow (MCE), ipod (creative labs), OSX (windows), macmini (shuttle), should I continue? LOL! Apple the music company eats their words with every product launch ? so um why the Intel ?switch? ?HahHAHAH
Posted by: MSRULZ!! 20 Dec 2005
Taps for IE
We are forced to use it at work, so it will be viable for the next 10 years as the standard for larger corporations. But at home,,, Give me a G% and mac 10 anyday.
Posted by: Craig W 20 Dec 2005
Microsoft sucks
I used pc's for years, I have two in my house and use them at work. I have a Mac laptop, from here on in it is Mac all the way. I really objected to IE being on my Mac. Microsoft is full of diseases and I have not used the pc's since getting my Mac and I love Safari.
Posted by: Rusla 20 Dec 2005
At Least Ballmer Didn't Throw a Chair
M$ thinks they are penalizing Apple users by killing their browser for Apple OSes. In fact, given how security challenged all their crap is, they are actually doing the Apple crowd a favor. Over time, Opera, Firefox, etc. will eat IEs lunch. Ballmer can throw chairs at the world, pout and howl like a wounded animal. He and M$ are doomed.
Posted by: Don DelDestino 20 Dec 2005
Dubious feelings
There are ... still some few websites that fail to function on my mac with anything other than MSIE. Luckily, they are non-essential, to the point where I have forgotten what they are. However, I still harbour a fear that at some point in the future some essential site will require MSIE and that I will be locked out. Its a dumb fear. I could always fire up my WindowsDumbox and use it. Then again, no site is THAT essential. So, good riddance, to bad rubbish.
Posted by: Alex Rieneck 20 Dec 2005
IE
Macintosh is better Due to the fact that they have less pop ups and viruses etc. Windows is better with the fact that its easier to apprehend computer parts and software w/o having to order it online. Thats my opinion and my opinion solely please dont bother trying to change it.
Posted by: Me 20 Dec 2005
mac vs. ms
20 yr + news. get a life! In this free Country, Only Strong co. survive! Name one co. that plays a fair game.
Posted by: unknown 20 Dec 2005
Thanks for astroturfing ... but ...
Quoting MSRULZ: ... The cult members just love to jump for joy when jobs makes them pay top price for last years technology. Funny, I haven't had to worry about viruses, adware, or spyware while using my "last year's technology". It's a pity that the same can't be said for Microsh*t. But hey, they've only had about 20 years to get their act together. Another quote: "We all love it when apple comes out with something new they just steal their ideas from others and slap an apple logo on it? frontrow (MCE), ipod (creative labs), OSX (windows), macmini (shuttle), should I continue? LOL! Apple the music company eats their words with every product launch ? so um why the Intel ?switch?" You're mistaken: OS X is *not* based on Windoze ... it's based on Unix. I'll admit, Apple looks at other people for ideas. In fact, that's one of the most refreshing aspects of the company -- they're willing to get over the 'not invented here syndrome' and see things for their real value. Speaking of real value, you've never used any of the things you bitched about, have you? Otherwise, you'd realize that it isn't just stealing and rebranding the idea -- it's about making it better and easier. As for the Intel switch, they're making it even easier for Windoze switchers: you'll be able to install your own copy of Windoze, and eventually, you'll recognize it for the piece of sh*t it really is ... then dump it, since you can (and have been) doing everything you need on the Mac side of the fence ... except without the security holes, viruses, adware, spyware, and so on.
Posted by: Kurtis 20 Dec 2005
MAC still got game
By the time MAC releases its OS on PC, windows will be up for some competition, but still.. windows is ruling over.. we'll just wait for the results..
Posted by: William 20 Dec 2005
The song remains the same...will it ever change?
Will this Win vs Mac fight ever go away? Can't people just get along and use whatever platform they want without deficating on each other? Geeezzzz.....use the system you want to use, enjoy it and just get on with life. Or better yet.....geezzzus....get a life. Who cares which platform? If it gets the job done and you like what you have, use it.
Posted by: PC 20 Dec 2005
Face The Facts
It really all boils down to a matter of preference. I am a developer and have 3 machines at my desk. Microsoft, Apple and Linux based systems. I personnaly pefer the Microsoft system because there are more tools and software applications readily available to work with for it. And lets face it, both Apple and Linux have created interfaces that look and work just like windows. In fact you can even install Windows XP on the Apple Systems. The truth of the matter is that the market is big enough for all of them and it all comes down to one thing...a choice.
Posted by: Mark Wood 20 Dec 2005
re: Taps for IE
Wow, someone must be hitting the crack pipe a little hard to think that this is the beginning of the end for Microsoft. As long as there are computer ignorant users out there Microsoft will always have a viable market that will suck up whatever crap they put out.
Posted by: Dustin 19 Dec 2005
taps for ie
This the beginning of the end for Microsoft, Firefox will eventually kill it off for good. Just about every Mac user already stopped using IE as soon as they had a viable alternative. It will not be long now before windows users will begin to see the light and switch to OSX and Linux
Posted by: Scott 19 Dec 2005