http://civicaccess.416.s1.nabble.com/Re-ParIT-Re-Sparkplug-Fwd-Re-Canada-Census-on-line-GOSLING-Russell-tp536p538.html
on Windows. I tried this already. You just get a error pop up. Something
You were lucky. You got someone willing to listen. I was basically told
to piss off. Then I tried to politely educate the help desk guys who was
We all should be calling and making a complaint. Even is you are not on
I like that idea of the new site. Maybe that should be a PLUG.ca initiative?
-R.L.H. Consulting
> Sorry for responding to my own post but I just had an idea, what about
> setting up a new domain, something like
http://stop.computeraparthied.com> ? We could
> maintain a list of websites that violate the principle of open access
> based on open standards. (Perhaps even
http://explorerdestroyer.com would
> make the list.)
>
> Jason Loughead
>
>
>
> On Thursday 04 May 2006 8:35 am, Jason Loughead wrote:
>
>> 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 what 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 commercial interests in our system have a
>> vested interest in locking every product but their own out. He asked me
>> tho hold while get discovered 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 change
>> the browser identification to basically lied about my OS and 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 check 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_civicacc>>>> ess. ca
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Sparkplug mailing list
>>>
[hidden email]
>>>
https://mail2.plug.ca/mailman/listinfo/sparkplug>>>
>