Random ideas from a Computer Man

This is a place for me to store my thoughts in binary...

Feb 07
2010

IE6 - Style hanging around like a bad smell

Posted by: Matt in MyBlog on Feb 07, 2010

Tagged in: Joomla

One of the things I tend to end up sorting out a lot when I am deploying Windows networks is a patch management structure. First there was Software Update Services (SUS) which then became Windows Software Update Services(WSUS). It is easy to setup and all that is needed is to set the content update location path to the server in Group Policy.
Of course you need to monitor and control the updates but WSUS has an intuative dashboard that gives you control over the systems and the status of your clients within the update cycle. If you find a patch that has come down you didn't want, you can disable this from being distributed.

 

So, things like Internet Explorer 7 & 8 have been running through WSUS for quite a while as well as very important servicepacks like XP SP2/SP3. I have just completed a Joomla! install for an Academy and was knocked off course when we recieved complaints that this wasn't rendering correctly in IE6! I was surprised to hear they are still running IE6, my first thought was that there is no patch management!! Shame on the IT department for not controlling the network more efficiently (;) only joking guys).

First there was an issue with SWF Object and IE6. There is a full enclosed base tag missing in the head.php file in the libraries (thanks Google) .

After that I had tested the site in Adobe Labs browser which showed me that the site was coming up so problem solved.....not quite. You cannot interact with the result.

The IE6 hover support is limited to the anchor tag so the list I am using to trigger the hover was never firing. Web standards ignored.

There are various ways to fix this but all seemed intensive until I came across a post called CSS selector:hover Hack for IE6. Add one line to the body and download the .htc file. Inside this file there seems to be a lot of magic to do with creating the pseudo hover behaviour for IE6. Now things are happy again and I am off to download the pre package VM from Microsoft to test IE6 compatibility. Hopefully, IE6 will soon be gone and we don't have to waste time supporting its quirks.


[ Back ]

Network Deployment

keyboard

The Microsoft Windows ® Product Family offers a broad range of tools for developing scalable, secure computer networks. The Windows Server platform is a proven technology integrating Client/Server deployment through Active Directory. This centralised approach builds policy driven infrastructures that create consistent end user experiences and aid in increasing productivity.

System Analysis

profile-system_analysis

How protected is your data? What strategies are in place to deal with security threats? Many businesses rely on technology to improve the bottom line but frequently Network Deployment is focused on the assumption the technology will continue to perform. When expected failure occurs, how confident are you that systems can be fully operational without excessive downtime? We offer system appraisal of your Windows Network to ensure that all the potential weak points are considered and addressed.

Web Design Solutions

web_design

The modern website today has to be able deliver on many different levels. We understand the need to equip our clients with the tools to create fresh, engaging content focused websites that encapsulate their brand. Using proven Content Management Solutions we can develop a platform that focuses on keeping visitors and potential clients informed about your business goals, current projects and future plans.