Browsers

[Vice Rear Cabinboy Bobo Gargle]

I've been meaning to write this post for a while, and now I've got the chance, so I will.

The main issue with most browsers and this forum is the shoutbox: some don't handle it properly, or very well. Here is a listing of browsers and how well they handle the forum:

Internet Explorer 6, Windows 2000 Professional SP4 (to satisfy my curiosity): Fails to load shoutbox and any forum pages completely. Do not use.
Internet Explorer 7: Not tested.
Internet Explorer 8, Windows XP and Windows Vista: Runs sparingly or refuses to load in Normal Mode and may cause browser to freeze. EDIT: May run fine under Compatibility Mode: click the broken page icon in the Address Bar to enable this.
Internet Explorer 9 RC, Windows 7: Shoutbox looks funny in Normal Mode, works fine in Compatibility Mode.
Internet Explorer 9 Beta, Windows 7: Shoutbox does not load properly in Normal Mode, works fine in compatibility mode
The IE9 Beta and RC versions are now unavailable. If you are using them you should upgrade to the final. Visit http://download.microsoft.com/ to download the final version.

EDIT: Internet Explorer 9.0.1 (KB2530548), Windows 7 SP1: Shoutbox does not load properly in Normal Mode, works fine in compatibility mode.

Google Chrome, any version released between now and mid-last year: Works fine.

Opera Mobile 10, Nokia Symbian S60: Shows but is unusable.
Opera 11: Messages send, however the forum index must be refreshed for them and other new messages to appear. EDIT: This behaviour is the same under Windows XP and 7.

HTC Desire Android 2.2 Browser: Displays, allows messages to be posted, however does not show a scrollbar. EDIT: Tapping "Open Popup" and posting a message there will scroll the shoutbox automagically to the bottom in that popup. This advice may also be applicable for other Android 2.2 devices (ie. Samsung Galaxy Tab, HTC Desire HD, Samsung Galaxy S, etc.)

Mozilla Firefox 3.6: Works fine.

My recommended browser is Google Chrome, as it is a fast, secure browser that is updated often and has the benefit of an integrated PDF reader (so no waiting for Adobe Reader to fartarse around) and has Adobe Flash integrated as well.

The Shoutbox requires Adobe Flash to play the "ding" sound. If you do not have Flash installed or use a device that does not support Flash (such as an iDevice) then you will not hear the "ding" sound.

[powderedtoastman]

Most basic phone browsers are okay with it too, but ignore the existence of the shoutbox.

[Vice Rear Cabinboy Bobo Gargle]

With SMF2, click WAP2 down the bottom for a more mobile friendly site. There will be no shoutbox though.

[Vice Rear Cabinboy Bobo Gargle]

Browsers and operating systems supported as of January 4 2013
Desktop operating systems:

• Windows Vista
• Windows 7 (preferred)
• Windows 8
• Windows 8.1 (preferred)

Mobile operating systems:

• Android 4+ (Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0), Jelly Bean (4.1-4.3) and Kitkat (4.4))
• Possibly Windows RT

Desktop Browsers

• Internet Explorer 9 on Windows Vista and 7 (preferred IE for Vista)
• Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 7 and 8.1 (preferred IE for these versions)
• Chrome 31+ on Vista/7/8/8.1
• Firefox 26+ on Vista/7/8/8.1

Mobile Browsers

• Firefox 26+ on Android
• Chrome 31+ on Android
• Internet Explorer 11 in Desktop Mode on Windows RT 8.1

While other browsers and operating systems may work I can't guarantee that they will (feel free to try them). If you use something not listed here and complain that things don't work you'll be told to switch to something listed here, at which point if the problem persists we can then attempt to fix it. However, if something is amiss, try clearing your cache and cookies (usually done by hitting Ctrl+Shift+Delete), restarting your browser and trying again first as this typically clears up most problems.

[Snowytony]

I believe Opera Mini works too, although I haven't used it in several months since getting my new phone, so I don't guarantee it.

[powderedtoastman]

I'll head into the uni library sometime next week to check if everything works on a Mac, if you like

[Vice Rear Cabinboy Bobo Gargle]

No.

[powderedtoastman]

So we're just going to presume nothing works on a Mac?

[Vice Rear Cabinboy Bobo Gargle]

I imagine that Chrome and Firefox will but as the total Mac using population here is 0 it's largely irrelevant.