4 ms·

Does anyone know why Asia has such a high level of IE6 usage? I don't think it has to do with the computers being old, because IE6 usage is relatively high even

Does anyone know why Asia has such a high level of IE6 usage? I don't think it has to do with the computers being old, because IE6 usage is relatively high even in developed places like Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

kingkilr 15y ago
My understanding is that it is very common in China because people mostly use a browser supplied by their ISP which is a rebranded IE6.
- w1ntermute 15y ago
  Well, that makes sense for China, but not for Japan, Hong Kong, or Singapore.
veyron 15y ago
I imagine there are a large number of pirated windows xp copies in china
- w1ntermute 15y ago
  See http://hackerne.ws/item?id=2830887 http://hackerne.ws/item?id=2830887
bmunro 15y ago
A major reason in South Korea is that in the late 90s, the government mandated the use of ActiveX for online banking. This was only recently repealed, and the Korean government is now encouraging people to move on. The government mandate encouraged many websites to also use ActiveX. South Korea is probably the only country where ActiveX is still in use. Internet Explorer has a browser share of 90-95% in Korea. IE6 is about 15-20% of this.
- w1ntermute 15y ago
  I'm aware of the situation in SK, but what about Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore?
- b89ewb 15y ago
  A clarification on Korea's ActiveX problem: Korea mandated 128 bit encryption via the use of an ActiveX control or plugin, but when Netscape bit the dust, there was no reason to update that plugin anymore. The sordid history is here! -> http://blog.mozilla.com/gen/2007/02/27/the-cost-of-monoculture/ http://blog.mozilla.com/gen/2007/02/27/the-cost-of-monocultu...
- bmunro 15y ago
  And a further reason is that the Windows XP is still the most common operating system in use. People don't feel any need to upgrade, as everything works with their current browser/OS. I've used the internet at my Sister in law's (in Korea) - lightning fast internet speeds, with a creaking slow operating system full of bloatware.

kingkilr 15y ago

My understanding is that it is very common in China because people mostly use a browser supplied by their ISP which is a rebranded IE6.

w1ntermute 15y ago
Well, that makes sense for China, but not for Japan, Hong Kong, or Singapore.

veyron 15y ago

I imagine there are a large number of pirated windows xp copies in china

w1ntermute 15y ago
See http://hackerne.ws/item?id=2830887 http://hackerne.ws/item?id=2830887

bmunro 15y ago

A major reason in South Korea is that in the late 90s, the government mandated the use of ActiveX for online banking. This was only recently repealed, and the Korean government is now encouraging people to move on. The government mandate encouraged many websites to also use ActiveX. South Korea is probably the only country where ActiveX is still in use. Internet Explorer has a browser share of 90-95% in Korea. IE6 is about 15-20% of this.

w1ntermute 15y ago
I'm aware of the situation in SK, but what about Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore?
b89ewb 15y ago
A clarification on Korea's ActiveX problem: Korea mandated 128 bit encryption via the use of an ActiveX control or plugin, but when Netscape bit the dust, there was no reason to update that plugin anymore. The sordid history is here! -> http://blog.mozilla.com/gen/2007/02/27/the-cost-of-monoculture/ http://blog.mozilla.com/gen/2007/02/27/the-cost-of-monocultu...
bmunro 15y ago
And a further reason is that the Windows XP is still the most common operating system in use. People don't feel any need to upgrade, as everything works with their current browser/OS. I've used the internet at my Sister in law's (in Korea) - lightning fast internet speeds, with a creaking slow operating system full of bloatware.