Census Canada 2006

[Jason Loughead-2]

I went to the site using firefox and konqueror and lo and behold I got the
same message. Then I called up and asked about the system requirements.
I has to be remembered that the help desk people are not highly technical so
making real life analogies is the best way to have them understand the
issues. The first guy I spoke with was very cordial and I told him that the
site checking which operating system I was using was irrelevant if I met all
the technical requirements (SSL v.2 128 bit encryption, java, javascript, and
cookies). I then told the gentleman "What if our public roads had a
requirement that only allowed Ford vehicles to travel on them?" This is about
open standards, and often commercial interests in our system have a vested
interest in locking every product but their own out. He asked me to hold
while connected me with the sysadmin department.

After a few minutes Julie came on the line (before I started any spiel) and
said "Oh, you're one of those! You're trying to protect freedom for users. My
boyfriend is running linux at home." Needless to say I had a very responsive
audience and took full advantage of it. ;) She told me I could fill out the
form with her on the phone, and I told her I could masquerade the browser
identification to lie about my OS. She said that would be like hacking though.
I said "No it would be like me calling you right now and if the government
had a policy of only talking to white people, saying that I was not black to
get service." She thanked me over and over for telling her about this and got
my phone number, email, website (I volunteered http://plug.ca ), and that
someone would get back to me.

I would encourage everyone to call and politely demand the website not check
the Operating System if all other checks are passed. :P

Jason



On Wednesday 03 May 2006 10:55 pm, Richard Houston wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> Here is an exchange i am involved with on the CivicAccess mailing list.
> I wanted to post it to the plug list for those of you who maybe
> interested and are not on the civicaccess mailing list.
>
> Thanks
>
> Rich
>
> --------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
> Subject: Re: [CivicAccess-discuss] Canada Census on line - GOSLING -
> Russell From:    "Tracey P. Lauriault" <[hidden email]>
> Date:    Wed, May 3, 2006 10:11 pm
> To:      [hidden email]
>          "civicaccess discuss" <[hidden email]>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Russell can you help Richard out? Could you share on your knowledge on
> the list regarding this question?
>
> Russell is with - Getting Open Source Logic INto Governments (GOSLING)
> see his bio on the wiki - http://civicaccess.ca/wiki/RussellMcOrmond
>
> Do other people on the list work on this?
>
> Richard Houston wrote:
> > Hey all,
> >
> > Not sure if this falls into civicaccess's mandate but I figured I would
> > pass it on.
> >
> > Today I tried to fill out my census info on-line (www.census2006.ca).
> > When I tried to get started I got this
> >
> > "Your browser does not meet the minimum requirements to access this site
> >
> > The current version of browser you are using is not supported by this
>
> site.
>
> > To download a supported version of browser, please refer to: To download
> > the required software. If you do not wish to download a new browser, you
> > can complete your paper questionnaire and return it by mail in the
> > envelope provided."
> >
> > So I called the help desk. I asked them why I get this messages and that
> > I met all the requirements with one small exception. I was on Linux.
> > I was told that Linux was not supported and I would have to use Windows
> > or Mac to access the site. I asked him why this was and the help desk guy
> > told me that as Linux was not all that popular so it was not supported
> > and would not likely be supported anytime soon. I took some time to try
> > and educate this gentleman about how the Internet should not have a
> > specific operating system requirement but I don't think he was really
> > listening or cared.
> >
> > Is there any one I can contact on this in the government or is there a
> > anything the group can do to bring open standers argument to Census
> > Canada's website? As this is census update time I am sure that there are
> > other Linux users out there that are having issues. I am not pushing a
> > Linux agenda here but I am pushing for open standards for the government
> > of Canada's website.
> >
> > I know the group is just starting to get going but is this maybe a good
> > starting point for some action?
> >
> > If not any help in pointing me in the direction of someone I can contact
> > to complain would be much appreciated.
> >
> > +------------------------------------+
> > Best regards,
> > -Richard Houston
> > -R.L.H.  Consulting
> > -E-Mail  [hidden email]
> > -WWW     http://www.rlhc.net
> > -Blog    http://www.rlhc.net/blog/
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > CivicAccess-discuss mailing list
> > [hidden email]
> > http://civicaccess.ca/mailman/listinfo/civicaccess-discuss_civicaccess.ca
>
> _______________________________________________
> Sparkplug mailing list
> [hidden email]
> https://mail2.plug.ca/mailman/listinfo/sparkplug

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Software shouldn't be your struggle
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Software shouldn't be your struggle