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Browser Versions & Standards

HTML standard recommendations

We recommend developing Web sites in XHTML 1.0 Transitional, XHTML 1.0 Strict or XHTML 1.1.

HTML and XHTML can be validated using one of several automated online tools.

Browser resolution recommendations

MSU.edu was optimized with an elastic layout for browsers at 800x600, however, the standard in optimization is now trending toward 1024x768. Jakob Nielsen, a Web usability expert, recommends optimizing at 1024x768, and using a liquid layout that conforms well to 800x600 and 1280x1024.

MSU.edu browser statistics

During the 30 days of April 2008, MSU.edu had more than 1.5 million unique visitor sessions. The top browsers used during these sessions breaks down like this:

  1. Internet Explorer 7.0 - 40%
  2. Firefox - 28%
  3. Internet Explorer 6.0 - 22%
  4. Safari - 8%
  5. All others - Less than 3%

Given the diverse audience of MSU.edu users, we have developed browser recommendations for two groups of people: end users and developers.

Recommended browsers and versions for end users

  • Internet Explorer 6.0 and higher (Windows and Mac OSX)
  • Firefox 2.0 and higher (Windows and Mac OSX)
  • Safari (Windows and Mac OSX)

Browsers on this list are recommended because they're actively maintained and have strong support for cascading style sheets. Using a browser not on this list may reduce the intended experience for users.

In some circumstances, campus Web applications may not support all of the recommended browsers due to special application needs and/or possible bugs in the browsers. Applications developers should clearly inform users if that is the case with their application.

Recommended HTML and publishing standards for Web developers

Web standards

University developers are strongly encouraged to implement standards-compliant XHTML in Web sites and Web-based applications.

Validating HTML and CSS is as simple as plugging your Web address into the W3C's HTML Validator and CSS Validator tool.

Develop for multiple environments

Anyone developing or publishing a Web site for Michigan State University is encouraged to test on multiple browsers and multiple operating systems. Browser-specific features are discouraged because they reduce user accessibility. Content being developed for a nonuniversity audience should be tested on the major browsers of that audience.