[oldmanjay]

1) it didn't take "web folks" long. It was near immediately after the availability of the browser as an application platform that the advice took hold to those willing to heed it.

2) The existence of autoconf et al is not in any way preventing people from performing platform tests all over the place, so it's not like a panacea.

Sorry if you find this a bit abrasively worded, I aimed to avoid that, but you made me bristly with your implication that "web folk" are somehow lesser.