This will be a tough mystery to solve, since the list of suspects includes every single web developer who’s had to alter his or her design in order to accommodate this outdated (but inexplicably popular) web browser.  Despite this deep and nearly universal hatred, everyone has been afraid to pull the trigger and end required universal compliance with this relic since 20% of the world refuses to join us in the twenty first century… until now.

In March, Google will begin to phase out support of this dusty, old platform.  They had previously announced the cessation of support for Google Docs and Google Sites… and now you can add YouTube to the list.  On March 13, if you want to watch skateboarding dogs and guys getting hit in the nuts with a variety of projectiles, you’re going to have to upgrade to a browser from this century.

Of course, this news is more than welcome to developers who’ve been cursing this seemingly unkillable bit of software for years now, but even though its complete and total death is far from guaranteed at this point, Aten Design Group of Colorado has announced a funeral for IE6.  Premature though it may be, Google’s plan to cease support seems to portend the timely (perhaps not timely enough) demise of the much-despised browser.

Let the bells ring out and the banners fly!

(link via ars technica)