Actually, the web is more open than it was a decade ago. Back then I had to use IE-only tricks to make my pages look okay in IE. Today I don't care anymore. It's been several years since I last used an IE trick, and I have no plans of using tricks specific to other browsers in the future. If something doesn't work out of the box in all browsers, I consider this functionality not implemented and do not use it. That's something you could do too and educate others to approach it the same way.

You are both absolutely correct. It's better than it was AND we have to be very careful to keep it that way.

I use the exact same strategy you do: if the feature doesn't work in all browsers, it's not ready yet and I don't use it. It can be painful, but I will NEVER AGAIN use browser-specific tricks or hacks because I remember a time when we pretty-much had to.

As a sometimes web dev, I don't care what the consensus is. I care what my boss tells me to do. He cares about it making money.

You have the power and perhaps the ethical responsibility to push back and advocate for an open, accessible web.

  > You have the power

hehe if only...