Testing my HTML/CSS across Multiple Platforms & Browsers?

HTML & CSS
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What is the most reasonable approach to take when it comes to testing my website’s HTML/CSS across Platforms/Browsers?

Background:
My website is pretty well finished, and I am getting ready to test the heck out of it on all levels, including making sure each web page renders properly.

Over the last few years, I have done my best to heed advice from the SitePoint gurus here when it comes to making Flexible, Scalable, Compliant, and Accessible web pages, however, it really all comes down to testing.

Problem:
By day I am a consultant who is forever away from home. That means that all I have is: Debbie, Suitcase, and my lone MacBook Pro.

Being a road-warrior, and not having tons of $$$, there is no way I can afford to buy or house Computers/Devices with every known Operating System and Browser and Version on them?! :eek:

Since this website is a start-up BUSINESS, it is extremely important that it WORKS and LOOKS PROFESSIONAL to all who visit it!!

I am particularly concerned about: 1.) Windows, 2.) Internet Explorer, and 3.) Archaic Browsers like IE6!!!

Approach:
So far I have tested my website locally on my MBP using the latest versions of FireFox, Safari, Chrome and Opera. Everything seems to render okay, but there is so much more that I have NOT tested due to a lack of multiple computers, platforms, and browsers.

(And don’t even get me started on trying to support Tablets and Smart-Phones?!) :rolleyes:

So, what is the most reasonable approach to take for someone in my situation who lacks access to tons of Computers/Operating System/Devices/Browsers, but who still wants a “world-class” website that would make CSS gurus like Paul O’Brien (and others) proud of me?! :cool:

Not sure if there is an easy answer, but then again, there are probably lots of other people in my situation who don’t have access to a PC with Windows, or to a Mac, or to IE, or to a Smart-Phone, or whatever.

Here is hoping that the 80/20 rule kicks in, and that there is a way for me to be fairly certain that things won’t blow up when “Miss Non-Standard Configuration” lands on my website?!

Sincerely,

Debbie

P.S. My website is entirely PHP, HTML4, CSS2 with no bells and whistles, and God knows, no JavaScript!!! (Just ask Ralph!!) :wink:

Hopefully that is half of the battle?! :lol:

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If you can get a copy of Windows, you can load that on your Mac in various ways so that you can test all the PC browsers. You can also download the Apple developer tools to test iPad and iPhone via their really cool emulators (it’s all free, but a big download).

For other mobile devices, you could just visit some stores and test your site on their devices. Despite the huge proliferation of devices out there, it’s mostly iOS and Android that you have to worry about.

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That would work, but getting a copy of something like VMware plus Windows would probably run me several hundred dollars… (Plus there is the issue of having to disrupt my new MBP and learn how to do virtualization and pray I don’t break everything on my MacBook?!) :frowning:

You can also download the Apple developer tools to test iPad and iPhone via their really cool emulators (it’s all free, but a big download).

Doesn’t that require that you register with Apple as a developer and all kinds of intrusive stuff?!

For other mobile devices, you could just visit some stores and test your site on their devices. Despite the huge proliferation of devices out there, it’s mostly iOS and Android that you have to worry about.

Okay.

I guess I was hoping someone would say, “You know, if your website is W3C compliant, and runs well on other browsers like FireFox, Chrome, and Opera on your Mac, then you should be good-to-go with Windows and IE, minus old versions like IE6…”

(Wishful thinking, I suppose?!) sigh

Sincerely,

Debbie

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You can use the free https://www.virtualbox.org/ virtualisation software. I think MS also has some kind of testing version of their OS, too, but not sure how it works.

Doesn’t that require that you register with Apple as a developer and all kinds of intrusive stuff?!

You register, but that’s it. I’ve never received any emails from them or any other contact that I can remember.

I guess I was hoping …

You know, if your website is W3C compliant, and runs well on other browsers like FireFox, Chrome, and Opera on your Mac, then you should be good-to-go with Windows and IE, minus old versions like IE6.

As long as the layout isn’t too complicated, and with simple use of @media rules, it should be fairly easy to get a decent layout for smart phones, too, which you can sort of test by playing with the size of your desktop browser.

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Okay.

I may have to keep expanding my knowledge and toolbox and get into something like VMware. But considering that I just spent the last 3 months setting up my new MacBook Pro, I’m not too inclined to try and break it just yet!! :wink:

You register, but that’s it. I’ve never received any emails from them or any other contact that I can remember.

And, I’m sorry, what isit that I am registering for and trying to do with Apple?

You know, if your website is W3C compliant, and runs well on other browsers like FireFox, Chrome, and Opera on your Mac, then you should be good-to-go with Windows and IE, minus old versions like IE6.

I haven’t checked it lately, but back as I built each page, I think things were in pretty good shape.

As long as the layout isn’t too complicated, and with simple use of @media rules, it should be fairly easy to get a decent layout for smart phones, too, which you can sort of test by playing with the size of your desktop browser.

Well, Paul O’ helped me set up a 3-column, fluid design with sticky footers. But other than that, I think my design is very “plain vanilla”.

Sincerely,

Debbie

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Installing VMWare or Parallels won’t break anything. It’s just another program on your Mac, like Word or Safari. They are pretty amazing, really, as you end up with all PC programs open on your screen just like the Mac programs. They can dock etc.

And, I’m sorry, what isit that I am registering for and trying to do with Apple?

Its main purpose is for people like App developers. The iOS dev tools are mainly for creating apps for iPhone, iPad etc. If you want to submit your apps to the App Store, you need to have a dev account. It’s pretty simple and straightforward, really. I wouldn’t worry about it. If you don’t submit anything, you never have any contact with them.

I haven’t checked it lately, but back as I built each page, I think things were in pretty good shape.

The recent versions of IE (9 and up) are pretty reliable, so it’s less essential to test your site in them than it used to be … though one shouldn’t get complacent, of course.

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There’s an article here with links to some useful resources.

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