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Hoaxer confesses to IE users are dunderheads prank
THE STORY THAT FOOLED the world last week, that IE users are morons, was designed to raise awareness about problems with the software, according to the prankster behind it.
"My name is Tarandeep Gill. I am a computer programmer/web developer/entrepreneur. I graduated with a Masters Degree in Computer Science from Georgia Tech," says a recent post to the Aptiquant web site.
"I worked briefly before quitting my job to work on my startup, which is a comparison shopping website. I take 100% responsibility for this hoax."
The hoax, which by now is becoming annoying, had a message, but one that we suspect did not need to be told.
"The main purpose behind this hoax was to create awareness about the incompatibilities of IE6 and how it is pulling back innovation. So, if you are still using IE6, please update to a newer browser," adds Gill, causing us to wonder whether he keeps on top of news about the browser and Microsoft's plans for it.
"We got this idea when adding some features to our comparison shopping website, we found out that IE6 was highly incompatible with web standards. IE 7.0 and 8.0, though better than 6.0 are still incompatible with not only with the standards, but with each other too."
Well, cheers for that. Its probably worth mentioning that during his explanations about the altruistic act, Gill repeatedly mentions his shopping comparison web site, the name of which we have forgotten.
What this jape has earned, other than the tired yawns of the internet, is the attention of Central Test, the firm from which Gill borrowed much of his web site content.
"Apologies to Central Test for copying their material, we are in the process of removing it ASAP," he added, perhaps too late.
Central Test is not impressed with the prank and has said that it is reserving its rights to pursue legal action against the firm.
"Central Test noticed the fraudulent use of its identity by AptiQuant, a Canadian company and deny any direct or indirect link with the above mentioned company. Central Test, as a qualified online psychometric test publisher, also declines to be the source or the author of the study published on the 'Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and Browser Usage'," it said in a statement.
"Central Test is investigating the issue and we reserve any rights to pursue legal action against AptiQuant, or whoever is behind this." µ
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I use Google Chrome except when accessing HM Land Registry and Promap. Both won't work with browsers other than IE. It isn't my choice, it is what the target website works with that dictates that I have to keep a copy of dismal IE. Thick? I don't think so.
This article reads as if the author is either butthurt about the comments because they use IE, or are trying to defend the idiot readers of the Inquirer who likely primarily use IE.
"I ain't got g-g-g-good b-b-b-b-b-b-b-browser"
-"I think you've got a fine browser, Jack"
[ding...ding...DING..DING-D-DINGD-DINGDINGDING]
I thought it was a good and harmless prank. It reached the BBC's top news stories and spread awareness which is needed because browser stats don't lie. Seems this sites editor is very sympathetic to MS.
I wonder if that australian bomb on the rich girl thing was also to raise awareness of heiresses, since they called the device a 'hoax'.
THAT WAS ME UNTIL LAST WEEK, I COULDNT STAND IT AND HAD I.T. INSTALL THE ONE WITH THE TABS.
I DUNNO WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL? WHY IS IT GILLS BUSINESS WHAT BROWSER I AM RUNNING ANYWAY?
I AM GOING BACK TO MOSAIC.
I 2 use IE and wudnt wont 2 b fought of as fick.
WHO WOULD HAVE THUNK IT?! NOT I, I USE INTERNET EXPLORER!