Go Dark For IE, a new movement to encourage adopting up-to-date browsers

A website, GoDarkForIE.org, is encouraging other websites to black out on October 26, 2012 to users of Internet Explorer below version 9. Dabbling in web development a bit myself, I know first-hand just how frustrating it can be to develop for all the browsers, especially fixing bugs in older IE versions.

GoDarkForIE argues "old browsers hurt the web! They don't understand modern technologies, lack features, they're buggy, have security holes and prevent you from seeing the web the way it should be seen." They liken it to not upgrading your TV ever. "Imagine if everyone didn't upgrade their TV or computer? It would mean all the great advancements like HD, DVD's etc would all go to waste. Imagine what you'd be missing out on!"

The mission? "To get websites to go dark on October 26, 2012 to users of Internet Explorer below version 9."

The goal? "To get users of old versions of Internet Explorer to upgrade."

Now, the site isn't completely ridiculous, they realize people are still stuck on XP and can't upgrade beyond IE 8. However, they offer up the idea of using a different browser. They also encourage users to put pressure on their IT departments to allow them to use a different browser. "Users need to put more pressure on their IT departments and get them to upgrade their browsers or give greater choice."

Consider this fair warning--if you aren't using a modern browser, you may not be able to access some websites on October 26, 2012. As of right now, there doesn't seem to be quite the following from big sites as there was with SOPA, but that could change. "The only way to truly force users to embrace the modern web and modern browsers is to stop supporting older browsers."