Should a web developer use CSS 3 when IE6 has 15% of market share?

Question

Everything is in the title : Should a web developer use CSS3 when IE6 has still near 15% of market share?

CSS3 has some impressive features that will make everything better. If you don't know about it, look up the latest smashing magazine post regarding the subject. The issue is that almost all these new features are not supported by IE6... so if you want a website accessible by all, you can't use CSS 3.

So... what now?

Wait for IE6 to disappear using CSS 2? Use CSS 3 and use hacks for IE6? Learn CSS 3 but not use it on "real life" projects?

Answer 1

If you find a feature compelling, use it.

But when you do, you have a choice to make for users of older browsers:

1. Simulate the same effect using Javascript, alternate CSS, etc.
2. Degrade gracefully, i.e., just make sure the site doesn't break in the older browsers, even if it looks a little different.

Answer 2

I got a specific IE6 exemption for my last project after mentioning that supporting it would probably increase the cost.

I support ignoring IE6 if you possibly can.

The sooner it stops working on a critical mass of sites, the sooner it will go away.