Help people experience the web in a new way

First things first, this is not a technical post more of a “what do you think?” kind of deal. So feel free to read ahead and add your thoughts, I’d love to hear them.

This morning I saw a post from Web Browsers News and Reviews titled What is IE? that got me thinking. Essentially the post is a screenshot from a Facebook conversation where one user asks another if they’re using IE. In reply, the user says “I don’t know what IE is so probably not”. The reply to that was, “in that case, you are”.

With the integral role that the Internet plays in many lives these days, there should be a greater understanding of the tools someone uses to access that information. I know, I know… we’re not all web geeks. But here’s the thing. Are you a construction worker? Although you might be, if you’re reading this chances are you’re not. However, I bet if you have a nail you know to get a hammer and not a screwdriver.

That example may dumb it down a bit, but there are literally hundreds of thousands of users that do not receive the experience they could simply because they don’t know any better. All they know is “look for the ‘e’ icon… that means Internet”. Those of us “in the know” need to take more steps to teach people “why” they should use a different browser.

I understand that we already do things like promote Chrome Frame to our site visitors, but what I’m talking about is a more hands-on role. I’m sure many of us have conversations with new acquaintances about what we do, it’s a common conversation starter when you’re meeting new folks. During those conversations, we need to make an effort to ask about web browser use and explain why and how they can enjoy what we all enjoy now. We all could probably use some extra stuff to talk about during those times anyway. Heck, when the in-laws come to town… bam… you have something to actually talk about.

I’m a proud dad for many reasons, but it always puts a smile on my face to see my 7 year old daughter sit down at my wife’s PC laptop and fly past IE and fire up Chrome. Same thing happens with my other two children as well.

What do you think? Are we doing a good enough job at spreading the word in the “real” world outside of the web? If anything, at least I have something to talk about when the in-laws come to town for Thanksgiving.