Every time I log into Ancestry or go into a new page, it comes up with an infuriating upgrade to new browser message. I am unable to upgrade on one PC due to its age and am not allowed to amend the versions on the PC I use at lunchtimes at work. How can I get rid of this message coming up all of the time?!

Thanks

If the browser on your older PC can't be updated due to PC limitations, you might find that a different browser will work on the old PC. Both Safari and Firefox can run on some older PCs and work with ancestry.com

I'm with you. I do not want to change my browser preference to accommodate ancestry.com. I expect ancestry.com to accommodate any and all browsers.

What you expect bears no relation whatsoever to what Ancestry actually does.

It is either Ancestry's way or the highway-your choice.

It isn't just ancestry that requires a modern, up-to-date browser.

I'm sure you are aware that older browsers and older operating systems are full of security vulnerabilities.

One might expect that Ancestry would support the browses (IE) as Microsoft do. Its an integral part of the OS, and support for SP2 runs to mid 2010, and SP3 to 2013.

However, Ancestry is a law unto iteslf and introduces "upgrades" to its services without apparent regard to those who have paid a subscription for a year exxpecting things to work.

I do a lot of researching and Ancestry is the ONLY one who tells me to upgrade my browser. I have an old computer. I paid for the use of all of Ancestry's offerings and feel my money has been stolen. Needless to say I will not be renewing my account. Each of you should start wondering how soon they will discontinue other offerings, which you use, with a lame excuse.

I guess because I work in an Information Technology career field, I would side with ancestry on this one.

I know some folks are either unable or unwilling to upgrade their computers and will stick with an out of date and insecure operating system and web browser until the computer actually dies.

However, you can't expect any service to continue supporting 10 year old technology that even the operating system developers no longer support.

I simply do not understand why people are completely unwilling to even consider installing another browser, Firefox, for example.

It doesn't cost anything and it very well may improve your access to other websites besides ancestry.

When Ancestry accepted my money for a year they made a commitment to provide service for that length of time. They should have warned me that my browser might not work for that length of time when they asked for my renewal.
As I said in my post I haven't had a problem with anything except ancestry.
If you bought a car warrenty for a year, but after six months they told you it wasn't any good because they had discontinued a certain part would you be happy? I doubt it.

You haven't identified which browser version you have so I can't comment specifically about your. Plus, I don't know what ancestry listed as a browser requirement when you started your subscription. I guess I'm no help at all. Sorry.

But you are not being told the service or agreement isn't good. You are being told to upgrade your browser. I assume you use IE 6 or earlier which is grossly outdated for ANY site on the Internet you may be trying to use. The fact of the matter is that you need to upgrade. It's a lot like the switch to digital TV. If you didn't buy a digital TV, subscribe to cable or obtain a converter box -- you no longer could watch your TV after the conversion date. Change and upgrading it a part of this world -- you have to expect to upgrade from time to time.

Joan

Andrew, I too work in IT, I am a network support technician for 12 years. On my home pc I run WinXP SP3 and have several different browsers installed. I refuse to upgrade IE to v7 or v8. Even though the hated tabs for tabbed browsing can be disabled, the toolbars are redundant and non-configurable, for example, there is no way to delete the FAVORITES bar even if you don't want it, it simply takes up page viewing space and the home page link icon has been relegated to this FAVORITES bar and you cannot move the link to a different tool bar. There is a separate FAVORITES menu pick on the MENU bar, so what's the point of also having a separate FAVORITES bar? Because IE v7 and v8 wants to use this FAVORITES bar to stick in my face pre-configured links to partner companies of Microsoft on the toolbars, no thank you. I'll choose if I want to use the Real Player or if I want to go to eBay, I do not want pre-configured links to them in my browser. They are Microsoft's favorites, not mine.

I am not brainwashed into thinking I must upgrade any program to a newer version just because it has been issued, although I do spend lots on keeping my hardware upgraded. Newer does not always mean better. I expect ancestry.com to be compatible with any browser that anyone wants to use or is using. Period. Not the other way around where they expect paid subscribers to upgrade their browser in order to be compatible with their ill-advised programming choices, choices which are making people confused and mad, and losing customers in the process. There are now competitive sites and it would behoove ancestry.com to welcome all users without discrimination.

I have IE 6 at home, too. But I almost exclusively use Firefox.

I'm not even sure why we're having this discussion because so far as I can tell, it' isn't about IE 6.

It's probably a post from someone with Windows 98 and IE 4.

But I don't even really know that, either.

To answer your query, no, I am not running Windows 98 and IE4, I am running Windows XP and IE6, which is perfectly good for home use.

I just don't like the fact that I am being forced to upgrade because of their decisions which I didn't know about it. I wouldn't have minded if I got a nice message on the home page that upgrading would be useful. I just hate being interrupted in the middle of a search to tell me to upgrade.

Are they forcing you or recommending it?

Also, sorry to be a booger, but you did say "I am unable to upgrade on one PC due to its age".

If you're running XP with IE 6 how old can the computer be? It should still be able to run IE 7 or IE 8.

Maybe I should've made it clearer. Yes my PC would possibly cope with an upgrade. However rather than take a normal route and just inform users that they would recommend an upgrade, Ancestry took the decision to interrupt every single search their users make and tell them to upgrade. I work in the IT field too and I know how much this kind of intrusive annoying action irritates users.

Strongly recommending an upgrade is one thing, interrupting use of the site it quite another. However I've made my point and its obvious that no one at Ancestry reads these forums, so I'm going to give up posting on this thread now.

They do reply to some threads. I swear I've seen it.

"its obvious that no one at Ancestry reads these forums"

Yes, indeed they do read these posts. They don't respond to each and every post but they are read.

And you know this because . . .

Because from time to time a staff member does reply to a post made to the board -- they can't reply if they don't read them first.

I know they do because they told me so at a conference. Even when they don't personally respond--the messages are read, often printed out and pasted on the walls as reminders at the headquarters. They do care but don't always have the time or capability to respond or deal with all issues some users ask about on the boards.

Some people reply before they read the thread. I guess YOU didn't read the posts in this thread before responding. The complaint was not about browser use or upgrading. It was about the annoying pop-up that appeared on almost every page change.

Junior staff reading the board and covering their butts does not equate to senior staff reading the board and doing something about the problem.

Some of the comments were definitely about not wanting to upgrade or being unable to upgrade the browser.

Joan
Comparing Digital TV and ancestry is like comparing apples and oranges. No one was paying a large subscription fee for Digital TV. If Ancestry was free I would not complain when I could no longer use it.
[you say]"But you are not being told the service or agreement isn't good". When I couldn't use the search engine it was easy to figure out that it wasn't any good. When my money was accepted for a year's subscription I expected to receive the service for a year. That is bait and switch. The customer shouldn't have to change to suit the merchant. A reputable company would refund the portion of the subscription we are unable to use.
AS I HAVE SAID REPEATEDLY ANCESTRY IS THE ONLY ONE I AM UNABLE TO USE. Whether or not I need to upgrade is not the point. I just want what I paid for. If I had been warned before I subscribed we wouldn't be having this conversation
because I would have saved my money.
Joan, I have read your posts for years. As far as I am concerned your credibility is zero.

Alabama24 wrote: Comparing Digital TV and ancestry is like comparing apples and oranges. No one was paying a large subscription fee for Digital TV.

My reply: Maybe you aren't paying for digital TV but I sure am -- the cable company charges quite a bit more than Ancestry does for its services.

Your argument would be a lot more credible if Ancestry was telling you you couldn't use IE 7 which is still in wide usage -- but IE 6 went out with the 20th century. In terms of technology advances it is a dinosaur.

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I'm not one to upgrade anything myself when things are working ok as is--but for you, they are not. I would imagine dispite what you say that other sites are not working as they should either. I can remember when I hung onto IE 5 for way too long myself because I was "going to get a new computer soon." Even though I COULD still access many web sites with the outmoded browser I would get frequent error messages -- that all went away when I finally did that get new computer and updated browser. Sometimes you DO have to upgrade -- especially when anything you WANT to use isn't working for you.

Joan

Joan, I see I didn't make myself clear when I wrote [No one was paying a large subscription price for Digital TV. I should have said [ No one who was paying a large subscription price for Digital TV had their service interrupted], only people who were not paying anything. If Ancestry had been free I would have no right to complain. As I said Apples and Oranges.
Your argument would be a lot more credible if you admitted subscribers sould have warned that Ancestry wasn't going to honor their commentment. Everyone was warned for a long time that if they weren't on cable or have a digital TV they needed a box. It didn't come as a sudden shock.
I don't appreciate being called a liar. You said [I would imagine despite what you say that other sites are not working as they should] How can you possible make such a statement unless you are looking over my shoulder everytime I use my computer? Because I can't see your bank deposit slips I can not say -for sure- that you are being paid by Ancestry and/or Rootsweb. It wouldn't be fair, would it?

You have unrealistic expectations of the world.

Hmmm .... this document in Ancestry's online "Ask Ancestry" knowledge base was last updated on 6/1/2009, so apparently they DID warn subscribers that IE6 would no longer be supported.

http://ancestry.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/ancestry.cfg/php/enduse...

I don't think that will make any difference to some folks. They presume that the site will remain static from the day they subscribe until their subscription ends.

Chris, I wondered when you would appear. This seems to be a reunion of Ancestry/Rootsweb apologists.
Is this what you were referring to?
Please note:Starting in June 2009 NEW SITE features will no longer be optimized for Internet Explorer 6. We encourage you to upgrade your browser now so you can continue having the best possible experience on site.
NEW SITE features!!!!! The ones I am talking about are old ones.

I merely know that when I tried to hang onto IE 5 long after its time had run out I tried to convince myself that the errors I got (or maybe just plain missed entirely) were not significant. Ignorance is bliss as they say. I'd bet the same is true for you. I'm not calling you a liar--it looks ok to YOU--but if you are still using IE 6 it isn't ok for many sites that have moved on past the 20th century.

Joan

"I expect ancestry.com to be compatible with any browser that anyone wants to use or is using. Period. "

Oh come on...like Netscape? IE 4?

If you require support of antique browers, it limits the addition of new functionality/technology.

If you get all bent out of joint about a quarter inch of screen real estate....get a bigger monitor.

The problem is even with the newer browsers. Seems to be issues with Internet explorer 8 and Ancestry specially with the enhanced viewer. What problem will their be when Windows 7 comes out, I am to afraid to find out.

The same web browsers that run in Windows XP and Vista also run in Windows 7.

There will be nothing different with a web application like Ancestry.com.

I've already been testing Windows 7 for a couple of months and haven't had any problems with Ancestry.com --- but of course, I prefer to use FireFox 3.5 as my primary web browser.

I'm with you Kitcher. I understand the IE6 is waaaay outdated, but I cannot load IE8 on this computer because it is not compatible with a work application (which is over a 5 state region). I have used Firefox most exclusively now for at least five years, but since the new update (well..not the one yest, so maybe the probs are fixed) but I've had some new issues with viewing some images, and have had to use the old IE6 to pull up these stubborn pages! PLEASE stop the annoying pop up reminder to switch. Geezo pete we get it. C'mon Ancestry..give us a break! This is my second request -- the first was to your support through email. I got back from you....ehmmm...nothing. I DO have IE8 on my desktop and it works perfectly (nice to know the tabs can be disabled though!) AND BY THE WAY...Here is part of an article from ZdNet posted Aug 11th. "Meanwhile, in other IE-related news, Microsoft officials are reiterating that the company is not planning to drop support for the non-standards-compliant IE 6 browser, in spite of some public calls for the company to do so. In an August 10 blog posting, IE General Manager Dean Hachamovitch noted that many corporations use IE 6 as the default browser on their intranets and are running applications that are built around IE 6.

“Dropping support for IE6 is not an option because we committed to supporting the IE included with Windows for the lifespan of the product,” Hachamovitch blogged.

Mary Jo Foley has covered the tech industry for more than 20 years. "

The lifespan of the product he is talking about (XP) is until April 2011.

I see both sides of this issue.

At my local LDS Family History Center, they all are using IE6. So whenever I am there, using Ancestry.com involves the annoying un-deleteable messages, and more noticably, a screwed up Family Tree view due to the un-compatability with Ancestry.com. I have voiced that issue, but they keep a tight lock on the computers, and will not upgrade. It is kind of annoying.

Of course, at home, I am using IE7 (or is it 8?), so Ancestry.com works for me most of the time.

The point I am trying to make is, that it is difficult for some people/places to update/upgrade their browser. Some people may not even know how. I think Ancestry.com should try to find a "middle-ground", and have "browser coverage" for more Internet browsers. For example, Internet Explorer is and always has been (for a decade, at least), the standard for most computer systems. Compatability with older IE browsers should be mandatory for Ancestry.com.

I dont mean to talk down to the older folks, but many older people aren't as computer savy as kids like me (Im 23yo). They may have older computers their children gave them (that was the case with my Grandmother). Upgrading to the latest and greatest browser can be difficult and confusing, and many users here might not even have computers powerful enough to upgrade to the latest IE browser. I mean, since IE8 is out, users cannot upgrade from IE5/6 to JUST IE7...they must go all the way to 8. What if they cant, for whatever reason?

In conclusion, I am enjoying 80% of the "new features" Ancestry.com adds, but they should also focus on backward-compatability. User-friendliness is very important, and I feel like Ancestry.com is not focusing on that with this browser problem. The fact that this topic is already at multiple pages in just a few days is proof that there is a big issue at hand, and it needs to be resolved. I understand that Ancestry.com surely thinks that backward-compatability is a thing that doesn't gives any money in return...but they are wrong. User-friendliness DOES increase the equity of an online product.

I wonder how many people will not re-subscribe due to Ancestry.com's tough browser requirements?

Of course it is. That's what I get for trying to put a topper on my already clearly-stated irritation, and being in way too big of a hurry, since I should have been on my way to an appt! Thanks BobNY

Nicely stated seele01. Enjoyed your comments and input. But you may have kicked up the dander in the over 50++ club. lol! Believe it or not, some know their way around these gadgets, big and small. Seeing 60 looming in the distance, don't put me out to pasture just yet ;D

Blimey, you mean in the US of A they still use IE6 because a 5-statewide application cannot run on newer versions?

I am astonished, thought you were all techie over there.

And yes, matey; 60+ and was using PCs from 1983!!

My 83 year old mother is always on the net, scans things in and knows her way around.

However, I digress, as Ancestry certainly has silly problems which decent programmers should be able to address in a jiffy.

PJ, I work for a non-profit. I'm sure it's a money issue. ('83-'84 sounds about right for me too!)

Obviously, pjbuk, you are not the "techie" you would lead us to believe.

Firstly, Ancestry does not run any "5-statewide" applications (not even sure Bill Gates would know what that means).

Secondly, applications do not run on browsers - of any version.

Thirdly, and for the benefit of all those who prefer to bash Ancestry without benefit of educating yourself first:

"Ancestry.com can be accessed using any browser, but the site is optimized to perform best on newer browsers. Newer browsers support more powerful features and faster page load times, giving you the best possible experience on the site."

http://ancestry.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/ancestry.cfg/php/enduse...

Read it, then shut up about IE6.

Ooooh, Er missus (quaint British Humorous Expression denoting ironic incredulity!). I think a SoH failure here; I was just abridging what tante33 said a few posts above;

"I understand the IE6 is waaaay outdated, but I cannot load IE8 on the computer because it is not compatible with a work application (which is over a 5 state region)."

I was expressing surprise at the old browsers still in use, in a mildly ironic way.

In the same post I was also responding to the TiC posts about oldies. Never claimed that I was techie - just thought all of you were.

Perhaps I was too subtle, sorry for engendering transatlantic misunderstanding. In England telling someone to shut up when you have misunderstood their post would be considered VERY rude...