Hi everyone,
I am using Windows 7 OS developing with FireFox and IE in mind. However, I have to make sure the MOST popular browsers are also accounted for. I know i know… I should be making web sites on a Mac and maybe GOD willing I will one day.
I was wondering if browsercam.com is the best solution to test the look, javascript, and dhtml stuff in. If not, what are some better services? I ask this because I remember an old sitepoint book I read before by Rachel Andrew that mentioned browsercam as being one of the best options, but that was a couple years ago so maybe things have changed…
Install all the browsers and use them yourself, rather than looking at screenshots from a pay service. You can’t test interaction with screenshots.
You can install IE, Firefox, Safari, Opera and Chrome on your main PC. To test the older versions of those browsers, run some virtual PCs. You can get Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 for free, as well as virtual hard drive images with [URL=“http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=21EABB90-958F-4B64-B5F1-73D0A413C8EF&displaylang=en”]XP+IE6, XP+IE7 for free.
yeah… that is what i am thinking…
can anyone please give me a website that accurately tracks what percent of people are using what browser?
if anyone else needs a quick ref for top browsers right now…
what would be the best option to test for macs? should i emulate with PearPC or is there a better solution?
To be honest the only way to accurately test on macs is to use one, it’s like with browsers, only the authentic thing offers the most appropriate method of testing. Thought I will say that browsercam is not primarily a screenshot service like Dan mentioned, it’s a web based virtual PC environment which means that it does actually test on running versions of the browsers (their remote capture service), which is very different to the likes of browsershots. 
In case you are interesting in joining BrowserCam group purchase, go to thread http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4513025&postcount=269
VRM
Although going by “general browser usage stats” is a good starting point, keep in mind a site’s target visitors. i.e. A web dev site is more likely to have “newer” and “more exotic” browser users than a non web dev site. A “game” site may have different percentages than a news blog, etc.
In other words, it pays to track your actual visitors and test for those to make sure they’re having a good experience. I think most dissatisfied visitors are more likely to leave and not return before they’ll leave a complaint/suggestion. Don’t forget to do any needed fine tuning once the site goes live.