We’ve recently explained how older browser versions can hurt both users’ viewing experiences and offline computer health in our newsletter entitled Staying Up to Date: Important for Both Your Website & Computer. So what are companies doing to support and make others aware of this issue?

In June 2011 Google announced that the company would be dropping support for dated browsers including Internet Explorer 7 (IE ), Firefox 3.5, and Safari 3. The digital powerhouse stated that their decision came about due to the fact that these browsers, “just don’t have the chops to provide you with the same high-quality experience,” that more modern browsers can offer. This includes new technologies like HTML 5, the code behind the awesome real-time clock in our footer.

The new policy was officially adopted on August 1, 2011, and will follow with a drop in support for the third-oldest version of the major releases for Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari which are the same browsers and versions Blog What? Design currently supports. Google, in their initial announcement, perfectly stated the need for such an institutional change:

As the world moves more to the web, these new browsers are more than just a modern convenience, they are a necessity for what the future holds.

Curious about further details as to why you should consider the upgrade beyond the lack of support for cool features like HTML5? Read our August 2011 newsletter Staying Up to Date: Important for Both Your Website & Computer. To be certain that you’re running the latest major release of your browser, check over with our friends at Browse Happy.