PNG in IE 5.5 and 6

I'm sure you guys already know how IE (5.5 and 6) can't render PNG image properly. I never bothered about this because I rarely use PNG image (for logo). It just happened that this time, I need to use it.

I've read some articles like http://homepage.ntlworld.com/bobosola/ and http://webfx.eae.net/dhtml/pngbehavior/pngbehavior.html (and many more of course, I always search before asking) but it's either it's not working for me or it's not favorable (for example, ActiveX popup will come out or it doesn't validate).

Just in case you guys have better solutions. I want to hear from you.

Thanks.

There are IE hacks for PNG images that you can include into your code. I however do not advise using these but if there is no other option I am all for it.

Take a look at this site the guy who wrote it did a pretty good job at explaining how to use it and some moderate level web skills may be needed though. So just knowledge in HTML, CSS, and Javascript and you should be good to go. http://www.howtocreate.co.uk/alpha.html

Just FYI, you can't test it on am machine with IE7 installed but standalone IE5.5 / IE6 because standalone IE6 will ignore the JavaScript. It usually does work on IE6 stock though. Regardless though, Microsoft is starting to phase out IE6 by forcing IE7 update.

Yeah I've tried both of those scripts. They do work, but the main problem is using them with "Background-position" I would have used it for IE6 for the icons on our userpages since they are transparent pngs, however, We have a icon sprite and using "Background-position" to get the icon in the right spot of the element, the scripts failed at that point for me.....

Icon Sprite:

Eric, how did you make the scripts work? I failed to do that. Maybe with the current knowledge I have, the short explanation is not enough...

I use this png fix : http://www.twinhelix.com/css/iepngfix/ works great but does have some bad reactions with fixed position div. I came across a jquery one only gripe with it is if the user has js disabled then it's not going to work.

There is jQuery...which works really well - only one downside - it tends to stretch images if you try to use sprites - so just think around that.

Wish people wouldn't get so precious about IE. I'm all for slapping huge DOWNLOAD FIREFOX banners on people whose browsers detect as IE. Or Chrome. Or any other browser with decent standards compliance. Stupid IE, bane of my existance

i agree with the sentiment but it doesn't really work that way in business

I used to use javascript hacks (png fix), but now I refuse to make my design to work in 5.5 or 6, is just to much hassle.

I completely agree. I don't see the use in supporting browsers that are that old. Especially not with Windows 7 coming out now, and Windows XP being discontinued. This effectively makes IE6 obsolete as you will not get it on a new PC.

unfortunately i just can't choose to do that as many of the clients i work for still have a large demographic of ie6 users (and often use it themselves!) though i do think it's likely to become an extra billing issue soon, so something they can opt to have done rather than by deafault.