Ultimate Site Design Testing (All IE + Firefox 1.5 & 2) On One Computer OFFLINE

Everyone knows how much a pain it is to get everything working in MOST browsers. It's even worse when you have to use multiple computers or take online screen shots that may take HOURS just to see if they work with different browsers. Now, gosh, why don't we just install all browsers onto our own computer? Well, the problem *was* that you couldn't install different versions of browsers on a single computer. Yes, you read it correctly, WAS. Now either I am out of the loop and didn't know about this before, or I'm just lucky to have found a way around it. Anyway, I won't keep you from waiting, here's how to do it:

Installing IE 3.01, 4.01, 5.01, 5.5, 6.0

Ready? GO -> (http://tredosoft.com/Multiple_IE)

It's As Easy As 1, 2, 3

1) Download the Installer located at the end of the post
2) Specify and Install All or Selected IE versions
3) Use IE 3.01, 4.01, 5.01, 5.5, 6.0 to debug your web site

You most likely only need IE 5.01, 5.5, and 6.0 as most people should have their IE at least up to those versions.

Installing IE 7

Now if you don't have IE 7, then there's another Standalone installer you may use. On the same page, you'll find a related article titled "Run Internet Explorer 7.0 in standalone mode." On that page you'll be able to download the installer.

PS - Erm, I believe this installer works even if you don't have a genuine copy of Windows... Just saying...

Installing Firefox 1.5 & 2

First, download both copies of Firefox (English Versions Provided below):

Firefox 1.5
Firefox 2

Install each version into separate directories. For Example:

Firefox 1.5 - C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox 1.5\
Firefox 2 - C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox 2\

Once that is finished, go to Start -> Run

Following the examples above, type in


Create a Profile for Firefox 1.5. Do the same for Firefox 2


Create a shortcut and place it on your desktop. Every time you click on that shortcut it will ask you which profile (version of Firefox) you would like to use. Select as desired. NOTE: Only one version of Firefox can run at a time.

Conclusion

Hopefully this will help many of you if you haven't already found an efficient way to do this kind of debugging. I have not yet attempted to find one for Safari or other Gecko browsers. Feel free to add to this thread if you have a way to do so. Oh, I hope I didn't break any forum rules by posting these URL's.... If I did, please let me know how I can change it so this post will not become dead. Happy Coding!

Sources

Tredosoft
http://tredosoft.com/Multiple_IE

The Site Wizard
http://www.thesitewizard.com/webdesign/multiplebrowsers.shtml

- IcoN512

think I've seen this before. personally I don't really trust it, but
it can be good thing to have. good find, and thanks for sharing it here!

Anyone have any good suggestions as how they test their site layout? I would very much like to hear them.