Internet Explorer Destroyer

Like most web designers who spend a lot of time with CSS, I have a serious dislike for Internet Explorer. My browser of choice for the PC is Firefox. I’ve convinced others to make the switch, but I would never design a site which specifically denies access to those who use any browser, even Internet Explorer. If you insist on using a crappy browser, that’s your choice.

That’s why I was a bit frustrated to learn about Explorer Destroyer, a new tool which refers Internet Explorer users to download Firefox. It uses Javascript to detect Internet Explorer and display a message and a download link. Combined with a Google AdSense account, you can earn $1 for each person who switches to Firefox. There are three levels of intensity (or annoyance for Internet Explorer users who encounters this), ranging from including a large banner at the top of a page to preventing access to a site altogether.

There are plenty of ways to welcome new visitors to a website. Requiring them to download and install Firefox, even if it is a far suprerior browser, is not one of those ways. Furthermore, this seems to be a direct violation of Google’s AdSense Program Policies. I’m glad to see such an interest in convincing Internet Explorer users to switch to to other browsers, but it’s important to remember to do this responsibly.