Posted by
Grignon, Alain on
May 04, 2006; 1:46pm
URL: http://civicaccess.416.s1.nabble.com/Canada-Census-on-line-tp525p533.html
Richard,
I may be way off base here, and please step in if I am but I believe the Linux debate/browser compatibility doesn't fall within the scope of CivicAccess. At least as I understand it.
Also, if I may play the devils advocate, Stats Can is providing paper copies to everyone as an alternative. What is important is that the "ability to submit your data" be accessible to all.. That doesn't necessarily mean it has to be accessible to all browser types/Oses. Anyone try using BeOS? Unix? Somewhere a line must be drawn in order to allow government web services to evolve. Being a public servant myself, I graple with these issues daily. There is a balance to be truck between making things accessible and keeping inline with current technologies.
Just my thoughts.
Alain Grignon
Landslide GIS Specialist / Spécialiste SIG en glissements de terrains
Geological Survey of Canada / Commission géologique du Canada
601 Booth st. / 601 rue Booth
Ottawa, Ont.
Tel: (613) 947-8773
http://landslides.nrcan.gc.ca/-----Original Message-----
From:
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Sent: May 3, 2006 10:57 PM
To:
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Subject: [CivicAccess-discuss] Canada Census on line
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
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