Hi folks,
Starting with version 1.24wmf17 (which will be deployed to production wikis
starting August 14), MediaWiki will no longer execute JavaScript code on
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 (previously the cutoff was MSIE5). In short,
this version of MSIE has several unpatched vulnerabilities and is no longer
actively supported. Running JavaScript for this version of the browser
carries a significant maintenance burden without commensurate benefit.
JavaScript fixes specific to IE6 have also been removed. Additional IE6
fixes that exist in MediaWiki:Common.js can be safely removed one MediaWiki
1.24wmf17 is deployed on your wiki.
In general, we are considering putting more outdated browsers in the "no
JavaScript" category, while simultaneously putting more effort against
ensuring that basic site functions can be used without JavaScript. Likely
candidates for this include IE7 (released 2006) and Opera 8.* (released
2005).
We believe this will ultimately benefit both groups of users: Users with
outdated browsers get a more consistently tested and more secure
experience, while users with modern browsers benefit from faster
development.
This will be communicated through tech news as well, but please help carry
this message into your communities as appropriate.
All best,
Erik
--
Erik Möller
VP of Engineering and Product Development, Wikimedia Foundation