SoHo Trends

Adobe BrowserLab is a web-based service that allows you to view websites on popular browsers and operating systems. Supported browser/operating system combinations include:

• Firefox 3.0 / Windows XP
• Firefox 3.0 / OS X
• Firefox 2.0 / Windows XP
• Firefox 2.0 / OS X
• IE 7.0 / Windows XP
• IE 6.0 / Windows XP
• Safari 3.0 / OS X.

BrowserLab runs inside your favorite browser as a Flash application.  It takes a few seconds to load the first time; subsequent loads were faster.  It’s quite easy to use.  You simply choose the environment you want to simulate and enter the URL (for a public web site) that you want to test.  A few seconds — okay, maybe more than a few seconds — later, BrowserLab will show you how the web page looks in that browser/OS combination.  Here’s an example of how the SohoTrends web site looks in Firefox 3.0 and IE 7.0 (both on Windows XP).

As you can see, the user interface is pretty simple and straightforward.  In addition to viewing how the same URL looks in two different browser/OS combinations side-by-side, a really neat (and helpful) option is the “Onion Skin View”.  In this view, both screen are laid on top of each other.  There is a slider that you can use to adjust the transparency (or alpha channel for you purists) of each view so that you can see how the views differ.  Take a look at the same information as above, but in the onion skin view.

With the Onion Skin View, you can see where the two environments differ.  There’s not much difference; however, the exact placement of items does differ slightly when comparing Firefox 3.0 and IE 7.0.  Even if you had both browsers installed on your machine, the onion skin view is a helpful way of identifying differences visually.

According to the Adobe BrowserLab FAQ, the service is currently in a “limited free preview” mode.  The FAQ also states that:

There is no charge to use BrowserLab during the limited free preview. It will eventually be released as a paid subscription service, and the final price has not been determined at this time. There will be no limit to the number of pages a user tests.

So, take advantage of the free BrowserLab service while you can.  In order to use the service, you’ll need to sign up for an Adobe ID.  Also, you’re not guaranteed access to the free preview.  I was able to sign up for the service today with no problem.  As always, your mileage may vary.