There is nothing more hypocritical than code recommending you upgrade to a "modern" browser because it's too outdated to recognize one.

October 17, 2011 · by Aleksander Aas

Upvote for longest title ever? (Found on Reddit)

Readers' comments 46

Left under the original article, as archived.

SiDMonday, October 17, 2011 12:47:11 PM
lol yeah, my uni site does this for Opera as well, thanks for the 'identify as Firefox' option!
OPERATORMonday, October 17, 2011 12:57:06 PM
I used opera, ı'm using opera and I'll use opera...))
sleepyheadMonday, October 17, 2011 12:57:29 PM
Most pointless code anyway.
Charles SchlossMonday, October 17, 2011 12:57:52 PM
Jon PackerMonday, October 17, 2011 12:58:12 PM
"Please upgrade to a modern browser" - "Internet Explorer 8"
Jean ChicoineMonday, October 17, 2011 1:00:59 PM
Same as OPERATOR(GÖKTÜRK): Opera it was, Opera it is, Opera it will be.
PengeMonday, October 17, 2011 1:03:26 PM
Moreover their banner is outdated. IE9 already released more than half year ago and the old Chrome logo replaced to new ~~fisher price toy~~ logo more than half year ago.

BTW those websites are the funniest that offers me IE 5.5 or Netscape for similar reasons.
tsungai mushambiMonday, October 17, 2011 1:03:53 PM
Stoyan PomakovMonday, October 17, 2011 1:14:34 PM
LOL!

Originally posted by ZakMichigan:

Same as OPERATOR(GÖKTÜRK): Opera it was, Opera it is, Opera it will be.

I'm with you man.
eliotcougarMonday, October 17, 2011 1:19:43 PM
Some Google services say "You are using an outdated browser which does not support modern Web technologies needed to run this service"...

... on Opera 12 alpha (with HTML5 Ragnarok, JS ES5, HWA, WebGL, and all the stuff)

I so hate Google for that, but I still use their great services...
Stoyan PomakovMonday, October 17, 2011 1:28:21 PM
Originally posted by ra-mon:

Sometimes, a browser needs to be popular to access website
http://files.getwebb.org/view-cre64yxd.html
Opera is still refused by my online bank « service »...
Stupid thing. I hate this things.
bachokochoMonday, October 17, 2011 2:13:16 PM
You can see this shit even in more respected source: http://natgeotv.com/uk/
John A. Bilicki IIIMonday, October 17, 2011 2:15:31 PM
Internet Explorer 8 is a modern browser?

http://www.caniuse.com/#compare=y&b1=ie+8&b2=opera+11.5
AercyMonday, October 17, 2011 3:24:49 PM
Originally posted by GÖKTÜRK:

I used opera, ı'm using opera and I'll use opera...))

what he said.
D1sasterp1eceMonday, October 17, 2011 3:39:16 PM
This is pathetic.
André ZangheliniMonday, October 17, 2011 3:45:22 PM
Originally posted by eliotcougar:

Some Google services say "You are using an outdated browser which does not support modern Web technologies needed to run this service"...

I think they are creating a new web language to only work on that thing they call web browser.

And... Modern Browsers? IE8? Microsoft is almost releasing IE10...

They should change the message to:
Sorry, but we can't make a decent site to allow you use it with a good browser. Please consider downgrading to this:
themydavidMonday, October 17, 2011 4:22:05 PM
Unfortunately, DirectTV is nothing compares to Yahoo!New Mail, iCloud, HBO, Google+ ect...
Opera still needs more improvements!
praetor87Monday, October 17, 2011 4:24:56 PM
Opera can mask itself as IE9.
Sanchit KarveMonday, October 17, 2011 5:11:27 PM
I can't agree more. Here's two major websites that piss me off because of it.
1) Facebook gives me the same message when I try to start Spotify from Opera. Mask as Firefox fixes it, but that's not the real solution.
2) Google Maps only displays the Earth option when I mask as Firefox.
KiyoshiKasugaMonday, October 17, 2011 5:50:10 PM
ziggo.nl, the biggest cable ISP in the Netherlands, says I should change to a new browser
jottossonMonday, October 17, 2011 8:42:29 PM
I Binged DirectTV (Googles' Blogger does the same thing ^^), clicked the link and quickly closed the tab.

IN YOUR FACE! Bounce rate and Time on site statistics ftw!
PhriendMonday, October 17, 2011 11:02:07 PM
That actually made me laugh out loud. xD
slackwrdaveTuesday, October 18, 2011 12:52:19 AM
BellSouth redirected me to "badbrowser.html" for years while using Opera. What a piss poor attitude. I never got their DSL service because of it. It's probably better for them that I never did because I had a lot of 24/7 torrents planned for them.

My credit union used to redirect Opera. I e-mailed them about it and they fixed it within 3 days.
Cutting SpoonTuesday, October 18, 2011 1:39:48 AM
Now that Microsoft decided to move away from ActiveX, most of their domains are no longer horribly broken in other browsers.

Apple, though....liberties are always being taken.
moon6qTuesday, October 18, 2011 2:36:25 AM
CHOOSE_:smurf:
Oscar SogansTuesday, October 18, 2011 9:35:56 AM
Reminds me of my blog with Google. It always tells me that the browser I am using may not work well on their page, but I am free to use it, but so far its worked perfectly. The only place I have problems are the banking pages, so I just stick with the good ole fashioned IE8 there.
Brian StamperTuesday, October 18, 2011 1:06:59 PM
To fix the DirecTV site (for them), masking doesn't work, user CSS is needed:
#contingency_browser_update {
display: none;
}

details at:
http://my.opera.com/community/forums/topic.dml?id=1126532
Боян ТепавичаровTuesday, October 18, 2011 8:25:54 PM
A lot Google services aren't working properly with opera. I wonder is this on purpose by Google, making Opera inferior to Chrome and bigger browser makers are just doing some "donations" for their browsers to work properly with Google services. Or just Opera can't read Google's "special" code. Or Google have to make "special" code for the different browsers and Opera is insignificant for them.

http://www.google.com/support/plus/bin/answer.py?hl=en&p=browser_support&answer=1347815
Cutting SpoonTuesday, October 18, 2011 10:06:30 PM
Mostly they don't seem to even try. A lot of things work perfectly if you mask as Firefox, but specific features have their problems. A few services were afflicted by some edge-case bugs in Core, but Opera fixed most of them quickly.

Google's network of services is pretty big, and many of them have a lot of complex code; but at times it really does feel like a subtle sabotage.
dizWednesday, October 19, 2011 10:40:43 AM
Originally posted by jonpacker:

"Please upgrade to a modern browser" - "Internet Explorer 8"

Chrome icon is outdated too.
Jay SWednesday, October 19, 2011 7:07:05 PM
Hello all. was wondering if i download opera mini or windows 11.5 will either help me fix my problem ? useing ~ Samsung SGH...A797 and AT.T internet. Says need to update browser and flash not installed or turned on but is turned on. Missing buttons on web sites when trying to upload pics ect. Searching for 5 days for updates firmwear ect. from samsung with nothing found. Any help please ? Newbie here have read up on Opera and like what i see. Thank You'll... J
Jay SWednesday, October 19, 2011 7:09:06 PM
Hello all. was wondering if i download opera mini or windows 11.5 will either help me fix my problem ? useing ~ Samsung SGH...A797 and AT.T internet. Says need to update browser and flash not installed or turned on but is turned on. Missing buttons on web sites when trying to upload pics ect. Searching for 5 days for updates firmwear ect. from samsung with nothing found. Any help please ? Newbie here have read up on Opera and like what i see. Thank You'll... J
Cutting SpoonWednesday, October 19, 2011 7:59:07 PM
Assuming you have a phone capable of using Flash, you still need to check if it is installed. Opera Mobile supports the Flash plugin but does not include it, so just telling Opera to use Flash won't change anything.
Jay SWednesday, October 19, 2011 9:28:49 PM
Hello Thank You for the help. Yes i do have Java installed did turn it on other evening and all other were on also. I talked to a fellow @ Access and he said to find a update to the firmware from Samsung then try Opera Mini 6.1 but noi firmwear updates found. So guess my Question now is can i download Opera mini without messing my phone up ect. ?? Also when i logged on here said to update to Window's 11 ect. ?? But i did'nt do either yet. Thanks Again. p.s. also said need to update Adrobe but when i download it says i need to update my browser .....
Cutting SpoonWednesday, October 19, 2011 11:27:35 PM
Sounds like a crazy problem, programs can't find each other? Open the page, "opera:plugins" and copy/paste here what it says. If the page does not exist you are using Mini, and Mini does not support Flash. Mobile supports Flash, Desktop supports Flash.

When you visit m.opera.com, what version of Opera does it want to give you?
JulianThursday, October 20, 2011 5:35:00 AM
it's a shame, but remember the site site is not to blame, just its brained damaged developer

Originally posted by GÖKTÜRK:

I used opera, ı'm using opera and I'll use opera...))

And I'll add I recommended, I'm recommending and I'll recommend Opera
Yeni SetiawanFriday, October 21, 2011 12:58:10 PM
I always laughing at those stupid web developers
Jay SWednesday, October 26, 2011 4:00:47 PM
Help. I c~n't update my Adobe flash say's you need 2 update browser. Can't update firefox - yahoo firefox - internet exploror ect. say's need to update my browser. my cell samsung useing Access NetFront V 3.5 any help ? Thank You...... Jay
gaylord sedresWednesday, October 26, 2011 10:48:54 PM
Opera is the updated browser noobs
Jay SThursday, October 27, 2011 5:49:40 PM
Hey guy's how's everyone doing ? Well nothing worked and sat on phone with Samsung yesterday for 45 min's then AT*T for same time. Samsung said ask att. At*t tech told me i need a newer cell phone ? My cell is only 4 yr.s old and i found my update to this NetFront Browser on the Access website but the downlioad button was'nt there so e.mailed them and reply said yes it does have a update but nopt for the public to use. Samsung will have to give it to you !!! Well they wont so it sound's like there all hooked together and now i have to get new cell and sign up to another 2 year contract grrrrrrrr. Think may just drop the net from this phone just use on desktop home ect. Well i want to Thank everyone for the help Take care and if i have any other problem's i know where to come....... Remember Samsung cell's and AT*T Thank's Again. Jay
PieterSaturday, October 29, 2011 7:47:07 PM
I really hate those buttons :/
zephrSunday, October 30, 2011 11:35:53 PM
5 stars on Android Store Opera ; now THAT'S a knee in the GROIN !!!
HanvordFriday, November 4, 2011 2:42:59 AM
Opera is better than firefox 7.
Oscar SogansFriday, November 4, 2011 5:07:52 AM
I just downloaded your new Opera 11.52 Update, but when I was going to my Opera front page it just crashed; and it kept doing so several times. i gave up and went back to "old" opera 10.63 which I kept steadfastly, and NO PROBLEM there. I suggest working out the bugs on the 11 and upcoming 12 series. Too much "acceleration" and not much "stability". Besides I noticed especially on some Yahoo pages, especially when I'm trying to email an article that it simply won't work, this even with the good old 10.63.
moon6qFriday, November 4, 2011 10:25:07 AM
_(ironic) cause i'd trying to click "update button" but ZTE C261 say : "feature not implemented" (hhuuuu)
pogomclMonday, November 7, 2011 8:41:23 AM
Originally posted by bobbyfuego:

A lot Google services aren't working properly with opera. I wonder is this on purpose by Google, making Opera inferior to Chrome and bigger browser makers are just doing some "donations" for their browsers to work properly with Google services. Or just Opera can't read Google's "special" code. Or Google have to make "special" code for the different browsers and Opera is insignificant for them.

http://www.google.com/support/plus/bin/answer.py?hl=en&p=browser_support&answer=1347815
is google-- is deliberate because all browsers have problems with G+--it's a way of forcing people to use the crappy chrome they made. if google ever made something good or designed it nicely, it's out to make itself very unfriendly to users. the whole attitude of google toward users sucks. it's google. your trot something out less than half-baked, claim it is "beta" and attack anybody who criticises it numerous glitches... for them, opera is not a browser. they list it but then say rudely they don't have time to test it. they are too busy inventing crappy new mailbox interfaces and braking the news format and fusing lots of half-baked ideas together. my opinion