[JacobAldridge]

I don't use IE6, and haven't for a long time, so this is an assumption based on trying to get into the mindset of someone who 1) is still using IE6 and 2) has control over the update (ie, ignoring those in large corporates who can't update themselves).

If I'm using IE6, do I even know what a "browser" is? Let along an "outdated one"? And what, exactly, are the five colourful round things on the bottom of the page? Ah, wait, one of them says I need to be using the 'e' with the orange swoosh - quick check of my internet, and yes, I am using the 'e' with the swoosh. Problem solved.

So the message needs to be clearer, given the self-selecting audience it's targeting: Even "Your internet experience is slow and will attract more viruses. Upgrade your speed and protection for free." sounds nice, but also sounds like I'm the 1,000,000th visitor and I've won a free iPod.

Criticsm has been leveled that MSFT are pushing solely the upgrade to IE8, just delaying the problem. And I'd love to see more of the world using Firefox or Chrome. But if I am still using IE6 it's not because I understand my browser options, or even what a browser is. It's because it works, and it's familiar - pushing IE8 helps overcome the familiarity hurdle. And after all, it's used for "exploring" the "internet" - I already visit Google, I don't want to look at Operas or a Safari, and what the hell is a Mozilla?

Maybe "The Orange swoosh is better than the Blue swoosh. The latest version of Internet Explorer is now available at no cost." It's not a long term solution, but it is based in reality.

I'm now going to have a shower to cleanse me of my pro-Microsoft argument.

[notahacker]

I'll go a step further: the person that uses IE6 really shouldn't be changing the software on their computer because a big shiny graphic on a website tells them to. Either you're wasting their time because they don't have the permissions from BigCorp to install stuff, or they don't know very much about computers and shouldn't be downloading malware because ad banners tell them they might get a virus or speed their computer up. Just because your motivations are more noble doesn't mean that using the same design antipatterns is a good idea.

The Microsoft banner is horrendous too. If you must (because your functionality doesn't work on IE6), give them a text link to the Microsoft upgrade page with a "You need to update your Internet Explorer for this site to work correctly. You can do this by going to the Microsoft free download page _here_. You can also find out more about the latest version by going to Microsoft.com and searching for Internet Explorer".

Other options (probably via browserchoice.eu) should be secondary. And I say this despite IE8 being a horrible browser I wouldn't use voluntarily.