Testing Multiple Versions of the same Browser on one computer.

We all know that we need to test Dolphin out before we take it live and we all know that members do not all have the same browsers, let alone the same operating systems.  So how can we make sure that as many of our members as possible can view our sites.  After all, if you have IE8, then IE7 is no longer on your system.  If you update Firefox then you no longer have the previous version and so on and so on. 

Well, for those with systems that are a couple of years old (really, only has to be about a year old) the answers are actually simpler than you think they are.  You can test IE6, IE7 and IE8 (if your system has IE6 or you can get a copy of it) all from the same computer, same with FF, Safari, Opera, Chrome and whatever other browsers you would like to do this with.

Now, I can' remember where it all started, but for years computers have had multiple user accounts on them.  I'm luky, I have an old Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 computers sitting here, so I have the older and new browsers, but they're on different systems.  This trick will be really nice for the one that have XP systems.  It's the least beneficial if you have the new Windows 7 on your system as you don't have the older browsers.

So, Here's what you do:

1.  Create Multiple User Accounts.  Each account should have eah browser.  For example, Account One will have IE 6, FF, Safari, Opera and Chrome (earliest version of each you can get.)  Do NOT ever allow these to be updated by your system, they are gold.  The 2nd account will have IE7 and all the others the next version up, the 3rd account will have IE8 and all the latest versions of each of the others.  Keep track of each account and what versions of each browser it has.

2.  Login to your site with the oldest browsers first and use the site.  If you've recently modded the site, really use the site.  Go through each browser type, open multiple browsers up and login with multiple browser accounts.  Push the system by making queries in IE, FF, Safari, Opera and Chrome all at the same time using different logins to the point your computer can handle it.  You'll get a good idea of any errors that come up.  Make sure Videos play, pictures resolve, the layout is what you want it to be.

3.  Logout of your user account and sign in with the next level of user account.  This will give you newer versions of the browsers and go back and do it all again.  Really test out the system here, use it like your users would.  Send e-mail, play with IM, use the Chatrooms, uploand and play videos and all of that stuff.

Do this with each type of User Account you have on your computer.  If your not fortunate enough to have an old XP or Windows 2000 or ME or some type of system laying around, look in the paper, someone has one for sale dirt cheap I promise.  If it's low on Memory, buy some and stick it in so it can run the D sites no problem.  The biggest issue that end users have with our sites when we have our servers fully optimized is they have crappy systems on their end.  We all know the old systems don't have the greatest memory on most of them and that is the biggest reason people dump them (that and outdated technology).  Go ahead and configure the different user accounts so they have up to date Java/Flash and out of date Java/Flash.  Keep the systems from updating, this is so you can get a real perspective of what problems will arise for your end users and you can provide useful solutions when things don't work for them because they are not configured correctly on their end.  Keep in mind the limitations (which you'll soon realize) of the older operating systems.

I have to admit, this is one of the greatest tricks I've learned when testing out sites to make sure they function correctly and it really does work.  Some things we can adjust to optimize the site for the vast majority, some things we have to tell the members that they need to update their systems to get it to work.  In the end, it really does make it all go much faster and smoother on your end.

Good Luck to everyone and happy building.