Census 2006

[Jamon Camisso]

Tim Writer wrote:
> "Christopher Browne" <cbbrowne-Re5JQEeQqe8AvxtiuMwx3w at public.gmane.org> writes:
> 
>> On 5/3/06, J. Schaap <jschaap-zC6tqtfhjqE at public.gmane.org> wrote:
>>> I tried to complete the censes2006 form online and I was refused entry.
>>> I get this message: "Your browser does not meet the minimum requirements
>>> to access this site". I'm using the latest FF and java. Same with
>>> Konqeror. Are they blocking Linux?
>>> Perhaps I'm missing something. Any thoughts?
>>> I called the help line and was told to use the paper form.
>> What seems even more dumb about this is that the application is one
>> that IN NO WAY requires "sophisticated" components such as client-side
>> Java.
>>
>> I imagine I only got the short form (it asks little more than name,
>> date of birth, and "mother tongue"), which represents a simple sort of
>> CGI that could be done without any "minimum requirements."
>>
>> I don't think the problem is merely a "blocking Linux" one; it would
>> appear that they are making generally incompetent technology choices.
> 
> Given the close ties between Bell and Microsoft, this could be a deliberate
> embrace and extend strategy, i.e. not mere incompetence. If Linux users
> cannot access govt. services, many casual Linux users may find it more
> convenient to switch back to Windows.

It is either Lockheed Martin or IBM (doubtful given their Linux 
support?) or both that have setup the software aspect of the census.

Someone mentioned using User agent Switcher in Firefox to trick the app 
into allowing Linux Firefox users. Did it work? If it did, perhaps we 
could use that "bug" as a reason to allow *NIX Firefox users. Likely it 
would just make them try to block the site altogether or accuse people 
of "cracking", but still, might be a way to get someone to take notice.
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