From: Ann Barcomb Date: 09:48 on 24 Apr 2007 Subject: https://dlenote.ed.gov deserves my contempt Following my policy of naming and attempting to shame educational websites which are required yet suck (previously I complained about applyyourself: http://ann.hates-software.com/2006/10/01/e37116e6.html), I would like to express my utter contempt for https://dlenote.ed.gov, a website which allows students to sign a Master Promissory Note which in turn enables you to accept a loan. This is a government website, and as such, I feel that they should be bound to adhere to standards of accessibility instead of targeting their site at specific browsers. I'm used to just ignoring these so-called 'requirements'. In this case, you are entitled to a choice of two operating systems: Windows and Mac. You're allowed two browsers: IE 5.x and Navigator 4.x. You must also have Acrobat Reader 4.0 or 5.0. Well, I'm not going to install Navigator (does anyone use it?), and I'm sure as hell not going to install IE, nor will I install Acrobat Reader. No worries, right? I can view the site, if I disable the popup blocker and enable plugins. Sure I can. But what's this in step 2? To proceed further, I must click on a checkbox which says "I agree to use an electronic MPN and have the required hardware and software. (Your response will be record and made part of your completed MPN.)" The MPN is a legal document. So I can't agree to this condition because it isn't true. Luckily, there's an alternative--it's called the paper form. Welcome to the modern era, where technology is enabling us and stupid management decisions are disabling us.
From: Adam Atlas Date: 12:44 on 24 Apr 2007 Subject: Re: https://dlenote.ed.gov deserves my contempt On 24 Apr 2007, at 04.48, Ann Barcomb wrote: > I'm used to just ignoring these so-called 'requirements'. In this > case, > you are entitled to a choice of two operating systems: Windows and > Mac. You're allowed two browsers: IE 5.x and Navigator 4.x. You must > also have Acrobat Reader 4.0 or 5.0. Jesus. Sounds like the site hasn't been updated since 1999.
From: Earle Martin Date: 13:17 on 24 Apr 2007 Subject: Re: https://dlenote.ed.gov deserves my contempt On 24/04/07, Adam Atlas <adam@xxxxx.xx> wrote: > On 24 Apr 2007, at 04.48, Ann Barcomb wrote: > > you are entitled to a choice of two operating systems: Windows and > > Mac. You're allowed two browsers: IE 5.x and Navigator 4.x. You must > > also have Acrobat Reader 4.0 or 5.0. > > Jesus. Sounds like the site hasn't been updated since 1999. "Note: Adobe Acrobat 4.x and 5.0 currently do not offer native support for Apple's new Mac OS X operating system. Acrobat Reader(r) 5.0 runs in Mac OS X native mode but has not been fully tested at this time based on the current ship date. Users running Acrobat Reader 5.0 under Mac OS X may experience a few inconsistencies." So... they're willing to tell you about how running an outdated product can cause problems, but you're not allowed to use a newer version? That's incredibly, searingly hateful.
Generated at 10:26 on 16 Apr 2008 by mariachi