General Testing

Test your web site on multiple browsers and platforms

The fact that your web site looks good and works well in one browser doesn't mean it will look as good or function as well on other browsers and/or platforms. Even if you're developing an intranet web site for an organization whose employees use the same browser and operating system, the hardware and software used by those employees can and will vary. In the long run, it's better to develop your web site on the basis of the W3C recommendations, then to follow up with extensive cross-browser, cross-platform testing. Stay informed of the release of new or updated browsers and operating systems so that you can keep your cross-browser, cross-platform tests current.

Which Browsers and Platforms to Test?
Check your server logs - as well as other on- and offline resources - that cover browser statistics, operating systems, and emerging Web use trends, so that you know which browsers, versions, and operating systems your web site visitors use now, and are likely to use in future. As part of your approach to site maintenance in the long term, plan to check your server logs weekly (monthly checks might be fine if you run a smaller web site with low traffic volumes) to follow changes and trends in your browser statistics. Take this data into account as your hone you your cross-browser, cross-platform testing procedures, to ensure that you're testing all of the browsers and operating systems that your visitors use. Here's a list of the popular operating systems and browsers on which you might test your site.

Operating systems

• Macintosh OS X
• Macintosh OS 9
• Windows XP SP1 and SP2
• Windows 2000
• Windows 98
• Linux

Browsers for Macintosh OS X

• Safari 1.2
• Mozilla 1.6
• Firefox 1.0
• Opera 9
• Opera 8
• Opera 7
• Internet Explorer 5.2

Browsers for Macintosh OS 9

• iCab
• Internet Explorer 5

Browsers for Windows XP

• Opera 9
• Opera 8
• Opera 7
• Mozilla 1.7
• Firefox 1.0
• Netscape 7.1
• Internet
• Explorer 6.0
• Lynx browser

Browsers for Windows 2000

• Opera 9
• Opera 8
• Opera 7
• Mozilla 1.7.3
• Firefox 1.0
• Netscape 7.1
• Netscape 7.0
• Netscape 6.2
• Netscape 4.78
• Internet Explorer 6
• Internet Explorer 5.5
• Internet Explorer 5.0
• Lynx browser

Browsers for Windows 98

• Internet Explorer 4.0
• Lynx browser

Browsers for Linux

• Konqueror 3.0.5
• Mozilla 1.6
• Opera 8
• Opera 7
• Emacs/W3
• Netscape 7
• Netscape 4.8