On Tue, 2006-02-05 at 14:00 -0700, Stephen Mirowski wrote: > Canada now allows the Census to be done online. I tried to login and > got the current > version of the browser not supported error. It recommended using > Firefox, Mozilla, > IE, Netscape, or Safari (also mentioning to use JRE > 1.4.x). Funny, I > was using Firefox. > So, next I tried Mozilla Suite, then Seamonkey, then Opera. No good. > BTW, I am running > JRE 1.5.0_06. > I did some forensic analysis after Googling for the website. They check for browser spoofing and the specifically only support browser that match these strings : Win (netscape|firefox|Microsoft) Mac (safari) It appears they do not even support Netscape, Firefox or Explorer on Macs. If you want to check the script yourself : wget http://www50.statcan.ca/census2006/js/browserCheck.js The reason for what they support appears to be : "// Check if the browser version is supported by Entrust TruePass" But if you check Entrusts web site they do support Linux. http://www.entrust.com/internet-security-software/specs.htm Write your MP and tell them of your displeasure. > Time to call the help line (going to try to submit a bug report to the > poor call centre =). > Well, big lineup, I stayed on the line since I wasn't going anywhere. > It did recommend > me to phone back at non peak hours and gave some times. 1st problem, it > didn't give time > zones with the times. Canada has enough timezones that that can be > slight problem. > Staying on the line ... > > After what seemed to be 30 mins, I got to speak to a rep. I mentioned > my browser wasn't > supported, he said I could download Firefox, etc. I said I tried that. > Asked what my OS > was. Linux. There followed some Ums and Ahs. Paper shuffling. Well > it supports > Windows and and and Um. NEways, I held for a moment while he found the > supported > OS lists. When he got back, he started asking about browsers, so I > listed what I had tried > and my Java version. Again the question what OS? Linux - Fedora Core > 5. Oh, that's the > problem. It supports the majority of Windows version and Mac. Okay, > thanks. > It is actually their script is not allowing you, but not for any compatibility reasons. > What could have saved me a heap of time? Well, the browser detection > could have used > some novice JavaScript to detect my OS version and say NAE, you aren't > supported. > Instead there's code to say your browser isn't supported so go download > a supported browser > which is the very one you are using right now. > > What is the point of advising people to use multi-platform browsers and > basing it on Java > which is also multi-platform, yet only have it work with Windows and > Mac? Why has > every other Gov't Ca. website I have been to work with Firefox and > Mozilla? > Because they are not using this script to deny you access. > The Census is to find out who I am, and put me in the Stats. > Thankfully, when I finish > filling out my paper Census, I will be able to fill in Comments section, > submit some > bug reports and give them a freebee stat that isn't in the > questionnaire: I am one of the > Canadians whom doesn't have Mac or Windows on his computer. > > Stephen Mirowski How can you be a Canadian if you don't use Windows or a Mac? :^p
