Browser vs IQ

posted on August 2nd, 2011, 6:01 pm

Sure to cause some controversy, a new (canadian) study shows a correlation between using IE (especially ie6) and having a lower IQ. Firefox chrome and safari score about the same, and apparently opera is for the brainy.

Link: Internet Explorer Users Have Lower IQs Than Users Of Other Browsers, Survey Finds

offended ie users have sent hate mail and threats of litigation to the ceo of the company that did this report, im sure it seemed like a great way to defend themselves from allegations of stupidity at the time.

my opinion is that the people who arent very smart are more likely to not understand about upgrading to a new browser, and dont want to risk compromising their internet access with a mistake. i certainly know people who are risk averse when it comes to technology.

[Tyler]

posted on August 2nd, 2011, 6:10 pm

Last edited by Tyler on August 2nd, 2011, 6:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.

So you keep using a particular browser and you're probably dumber than people with other browsers? What about people who just don't care?

Either way, strangest way I've been insulted so far...

posted on August 2nd, 2011, 8:26 pm

So you keep using a particular browser and you're probably dumber than people with other browsers? What about people who just don't care?

Either way, strangest way I've been insulted so far...

if u use ie6 still you are, its been proven repeatedly to be defective in many ways. the main problem is gaping security flaws.

even later ie still tend to have security holes open for longer than competing browsers. not caring in this case is leaving your computer more vulnerable.

[Tyler]

posted on August 2nd, 2011, 8:36 pm

Last edited by Tyler on August 2nd, 2011, 8:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I use IE8 anyway. The comments don't seem to supportive of the article...

[Terra_Inc]

posted on August 2nd, 2011, 9:00 pm

Last edited by Terra_Inc on August 28th, 2013, 1:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Yay! I'm a student and I use Opera! 

posted on August 3rd, 2011, 12:02 am

I would move to firefox, but my parents don't like it when I do anything with the main computer 

posted on August 3rd, 2011, 1:35 am

I personally use IE9 mainly cause I dont care, Ive used Firefox and Chrome (which i hate) and really only view a handfull of sites. Never had any issues with IE and untill I do ill likely not change.

posted on August 3rd, 2011, 1:49 am

Sure to cause some controversy, a new (canadian) study shows a correlation between using IE (especially ie6) and having a lower IQ.

So Americans love using IE6, what's now.

But without kidding, i think the majority of IE users has an install when IE was still included in XP as standard browser. Those who never upgraded to IE6+ are most likely semi computer illiterate while FF or Chrome is often a choice and therefor suggesting a higher knowledge of computers.

For myself, i haven't tried opera or chrome but i find FF easy to use and i hate IE.

posted on August 3rd, 2011, 2:02 am

So Americans love using IE6, what's now.

Use IE6 much?    This a witty riposte from an American! (Just giving you a hard time. )

There's also a study out there that correlates rape incidents with the purchase of ice cream.  So think twice about buying a waffle cone, because if you do you'll be supporting sexual assault! >:( >:( >:(

posted on August 3rd, 2011, 3:17 am

The funny thing is, people who just use IE are still not that bad off, they just get their improvements later than everybody else.

When IE beat out netscape in the original browser wars, microsoft got so f***ing lazy it's not even funny.  They just kept heaping worthless patches and mismatched code onto the browser until it was full of security holes, unnecessary features, and outright flaws.

But now that FF and Chrome are competing with them, microsoft got off their butts and started caring again.  IE9 is a MASSIVE improvement over all previous versions: they got rid of most of the code and with it went a lot of security problems and slow-downs.  They added tabbed browsing after FF pioneered it.  Heck, they even got rid of the stupid 2 inches of menus at the top.

So simply by competing, FF and chrome have improved the experience of people who never switch from IE.

posted on August 3rd, 2011, 6:43 am

I personally use IE9 mainly cause I dont care,

at least u upgraded to latest ie, ie9 is the first ie not to be a failure. its not leading the way or better than competition, but for once its in the same room as its competition.

each browser has some cool things about it that others dont (except ie). firefox has features and collaborative development (like addons). chrome has slightly higher benchmark speeds. safari has good ability to move between pages by storing images to cover up the rendering page. personally i think a choice between ff/chrom/safari/opera is just a preference as all 4 are good.

posted on August 3rd, 2011, 10:54 am

I've heard IE9 doesn't work on XP, anyone know if that's true?

posted on August 3rd, 2011, 11:19 am

Referring to this

So you keep using a particular browser and you're probably dumber than people with other browsers? What about people who just don't care?

The answer is 'dumber' as well.

posted on August 3rd, 2011, 11:20 am

Yeah, it looks like there are compatability issues with the hardware acceleration used in IE9 and the drivers available in Windows XP. AS far as I can tell though, Firefox offers hardware acceleration even on Windows XP.

posted on August 3rd, 2011, 11:33 am

IE 6?
SERIOUSLY?
Initial release August 27, 2001

I would understand people who prefer their old adobe whatsover, or their old office suite, or any other old program they may use, but not upgrading a browser for ten years?

Is no one using the Windows Update?