There is no doubt amongst web professionals that some browsers are simply better than others. Although we, as web developers are obligated to make our websites totally cross-browser compatible and completely functional on all platforms there is the question of whether it’s okay to selectively enhance the user’s experience (dependent on which browser they’re running).

If we take CSS3 as an example, support for it is inconsistent across browsers but it does offer some very useful properties and pseudo classes. One CSS3 property that I am currently using quite a lot is -moz-border-radius - This makes it possible for us to give elements rounded corners without having to use JavaScript or images. You can access this property in other browsers with the right prefix: -khtml-border-radius & -webkit-border-radius both have the same effect as -moz-border-radius. Using this property doesn’t necessarily effect those using non-supporting browsers (such as IE) because they wouldn’t know to expect rounded corners and so they don’t notice they they’re losing out. So is it okay to use?

If we’re talking about fundamental functionality then it is definitely not okay to leave behind old browsers but if it’s just about the odd rounded corner then why not? It seems perfectly reasonable to "reward" those users who’ve been bothered to install newer and more compliant browsers. I know that people don’t always have a choice as to what browser they get to use but for those that do, shouldn’t they get an extra something for their time spent?

Then we have to ask ourselves if the need for rounded corners (or whatever we happen to be talking about) is entirely justified. If rounded corners happen to be essential to a website’s design then shouldn’t we take the time to do it by other (more compatible) means, such as using images? If they’re not essential to a website’s design then we probably shouldn’t feel inclined to add them… even though they look kinda nice…

So as far as I’m concerned, it’s okay to selectively enhance a user’s experience according to which browser they use as long as key functionality is retained consistently across all browsers and platforms.