98% isn't much (whynothugo.nl)

Article summary

The article argues that 98% is not a high enough success rate for certain aspects of life, such as a restaurant not giving customers food poisoning or a website working for all users. It highlights that 98% can be misleading, as it may not account for specific audiences or edge cases. The author emphasizes the importance of robust engineering and graceful degradation to ensure a good experience for all users. This concept is illustrated with examples of browser support and website design.

Main themes

• Statistics and interpretation
• Browser support and compatibility
• User experience and accessibility
• Edge cases and robust engineering
• Business and revenue considerations

What commenters say

• Supporting old browsers can be a significant burden and may hinder progress in web development.
• Some users are locked into old devices or browsers due to various constraints, such as work or resource limitations, and should not be excluded.
• The decision to support older browsers depends on the specific business or market, and the potential revenue generated by those users.
• Forcing users to upgrade their browsers can be seen as a form of class discrimination, excluding those who cannot afford or access newer technology.
• The importance of accessibility and user experience should take precedence over the desire to use the latest features or technologies.
• In competitive markets, supporting older browsers may be necessary to maintain a significant user base and revenue stream.
• There is a point at which supporting outdated browsers becomes unsustainable and hinders the development of new features and technologies.
• The concept of 98% success rate can be misleading and ignores the importance of edge cases and robust engineering in ensuring a good user experience.