I definitely agree (to a point...I don't test with IE6 or IE7 anymore unless budget and time is specifically allocated for them), but "make sure your product works for as many people as reasonably possible" is not to be confused with "make sure your product works the same for as many people as reasonably possible".

I'm happy to serve static images to older browsers with an unintrusive note telling them what they're missing and how they can get it.

"it's your job as a designer / developer to make sure your product works for as many people as reasonably possible, and not expect users to jump through hoops (no matter how small) to use it."

I totally disagree. Why it should be my job? Do you want to use my product? Then use the right environment where my product works as it should, otherwise GTFO.

I don't want my product be used by incompetent users. Its 2012, people ought to be educated about technology.

Where the heck do you live? What "corporate environments" ?

I work for several years as a software developer in the "corporate world" and I can install whatever the heck I want on my machine.