http://clemesha.posterous.com/you-must-use-internet-explorer...
One of his links, the by version: http://gs.statcounter.com/#browser_version_partially_combine...
Has some interesting information that I think sheds more light on this:
IE8 and IE7 both have weekend dips. (IE6's usage is too small to matter anymore). (IE8 dips almost 25% of it's total, IE7 significantly dips almost 50% but it's already a tiny amount).
However, Chrome, IE9, Safari iPad all have weekend peaks. Even Safari itself has an almost unnoticeable uptick on the weekend.
This leads me to believe that almost 4% of all internet users use IE7/8 at work and use to Chrome/IE9/iPad on the weekend.
In some ways it would be more fair to blame Fortune 500 companies than MS for the IE tie in.
At least some of that traffic comes from preinstalled OEM copies, which Google pays the OEMs for having Chrome preinstalled as the default browser.
Also, it comes bundled with things like Java, Acrobat Reader,CCleaner, Divx Player, RealPlayer, Avast and Flash etc., so if people just click next, which most tend to do, they end up with Chrome on their machine. I think it used to come with Skype before Microsoft bought it.
http://mobilesociety.typepad.com/mobile_life/2011/09/outrage...
http://www.ghacks.net/2012/02/26/avast-7-will-install-google...
http://www.osnews.com/story/25184/Adobe_Tricks_Users_into_Do...
http://www.salsitasoft.com/2011/09/23/wonder-how-chrome-is-g...
Not to mention heavily pushing Chrome on Google properties like the search page, Youtube, Gmail etc. etc.
Google chat once hung in my Gmail tab in Opera, and when I reloaded it I got the message which said something like "Slow browser? Switch to Chrome.."
So Google's effectively buying marketshare with their search profits to cut out the middlemen like Firefox and Opera. Browsers like Firefox, Opera do not have the resources to push their browser this way and get people to try them.
Personally, I'm not sure the term 'socially valuable' applies here as you're giving over your details to a nagware tracking and advertising company at heart. If it was Firefox, I'd agree.
I'm happier to use IE over Chrome as Microsoft have features like tracking protection lists built in and a tough stance on tracking.
I'm happier to use Firefox over both though.
Is there some place where this policy is listed on HN(apart from being obvious in the "pathetic" moderation, story selection and flagging) so that I and the few others who don't share your Google and Apple worship can pack up and leave once for all and not subject you to the horrors of alternate opinions or facts that you seem to find very uncomfortable and pathetic? Or maybe I'll just do what you tell me to and go away, and you can worship your Gods in peace without heretics getting your way.
I like how the many commenters that only submit comments and stories that are heavily anti-MS and pro-Google/Apple are not pathetic but I am. I am sure you find them awesome.
