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Federal Grant Applications to Require Windows

Posted by timothy on from the please-don't-blame-this-on-the-free-market dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Grants.gov requires MS Windows to apply for a Federal grant. This will eventually replace all Federal grant application processes. If the federal government does not change this policy and allow multiple operating systems to work with the application process, it will effectively be a Microsoft tax on Federal grant money. You must purchase (or acquire by other means) Microsoft Windows to apply for a Federal grant. There are currently web based Federal grant application processes that work on multiple platforms. However, they will be moving to the new system that requires Windows. I recommend writing your federal representative and senators. Resources provided by public funding should be OS independent."

24 of 78 comments (clear)

  1. Mail by Pinefresh · · Score: 3, Insightful

    It seems like there would be a way to apply by mail. If not, then this doesn't matter, since you already must purchase (or acquire by other means) a computer.

    1. Re:Mail by node+3 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      It seems like there would be a way to apply by mail.

      TFA doesn't point to a mail-in form, or even mention the existance of one. It does, however, state, "You will submit the application online."

      If not, then this doesn't matter, since you already must purchase (or acquire by other means) a computer.

      No one is complaining here that you have to buy or acquire a computer, but that you have to buy or acquire a Windows computer. Not only did you not RTFA, but you didn't even RTF slashdot summary.

    2. Re:Mail by RealityMogul · · Score: 2, Funny

      Yes, everybody but node3 understands what you mean. But since this is /. we have agreed to only bitch about any usage of Windows, and not the sacred computer itself. Its in the TOS somewhere.

  2. Mac support by avalys · · Score: 5, Informative

    If you click the "PureEdge for Mac" link, you'll see that their solution to supporting Macs is having you buy Virtual PC.

    --
    This space intentionally left blank.
    1. Re:Mac support by shufler · · Score: 4, Insightful
      The parent was modded Informative, however a few more points need to be considered:



      This means you are now paying Microsoft for Windows AND the program to get it running on your Mac. Perhaps Mac owners can afford to do this.
  3. contact info link by bersl2 · · Score: 5, Informative

    http://grants.gov/ContactUs

    Let 'em have it.

    1. Re:contact info link by WhiteBandit · · Score: 4, Informative

      Sent the following email to support@grants.gov, as well as my local representative. We'll see what happens:

      Hello,

      I'm writing to protest that the website Grants.Gov requires Microsoft Windows to apply for a federal grant, effectively placing a sort of "Microsoft Tax" on all grant applications.

      Interestingly enough, there is link on the website entitled, "PureEdge Support for Macintosh" which opens up the following PDF: http://grants.gov/GrantsGov_UST_Grantee/!SSL!/WebH elp/MacSupportforPureEdge.pdf

      This PDF states that you can use VirtualPC on your Macintosh to apply for a grant.

      VirtualPC is also a Microsoft Program, which requires you to buy VirtualPC ($129 base price) in addition to Microsoft Windows! It's downright ridiculous, especially since Apple users are basically being charged twice to apply for a grant.

      VirtualPC Link: http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/virtualpc/vi rtualpc.aspx

      I hope something can be done about this situation. Thank you.

    2. Re:contact info link by Omega+Hacker · · Score: 4, Funny

      Thanks. You prompted me to finally get off my butt for once and write something up. Here it is:

      I was thrilled to discover that should I ever need to apply for a Federal grant, I must give my hard-earned money to Microsoft, before I am even allowed to view the application, let alone fill it in.

      Good to see that the government really does take its own judicial rulings seriously, and really puts the clamps on a (twice) convicted monopolist.

      It's also good to see that the government communicates smoothly and efficiently, so that when the Office of Management and Budget requires that all new government purchase *not* require specific brands (such as Microsoft) when there is no reason whatsoever to do so, and the Department of Homeland Security *STRONGLY* suggests that people avoid Microsoft software in any situation where security is even remotely important (like say submarines <cough>), other branches of government actually pay attention and adjust their practices accordingly.

      And I'm glad to be informed that Adobe Acrobat, which is available for all major platforms, is shockingly not sufficient for the process of filling out forms on the computer. I never would have guessed, having done my taxes via that method just days ago.

      Oh, and you might be glad to have me tell you that this message is *dripping* with sarcasm. Very appropriately deserved sarcasm, for a very stupid, wasteful, and inappropriate decision to require Windows.

      Thanks for spending my tax dollars so wisely! (sarcasm again, in case you somehow missed it)
      --
      GStreamer - The only way to stream!
    3. Re:contact info link by stevey · · Score: 2, Funny

      I'm afraid I don't own Microsoft Windows.

      Perhaps I could apply for a Federal Grant, to fund the purchase of a new machine with it installed?

  4. One step forward, one step back by crow · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Just after the federal government emphasized the importance of being brand-neutral in purchasing (i.e., don't specify Intel chips when AMD will do the job), they turn around and do essentially the opposite with grants.

    Sure, it's two totally different arms of the a giant bureaucracy.

  5. Write and complain by Holi · · Score: 4, Informative

    Here is the the contact info

    Grants.gov Program Management Office Mailing Address:

    200 Independence Avenue, SW
    HHH Building, Room 739F
    Washington, DC 20201

    Grants.gov Contact Center Phone Number: 1-800-518-4726

    --
    Sorry, teleporters just kill you and then make a copy. A perfect, soul-less copy.
  6. Lets see by dtfinch · · Score: 4, Informative

    run installer in wine
    wait a long long while
    when the error dialog pops up, do not close it yet
    find the windows temp directory (example: /home/david/.wine/drive_c/windows/temp), and make a copy of the pftbdb~tmp
    you may close the installer
    open a terminal and cd to the copy of the temp install director you just created
    install "unshield" if you do not already have it
    $ mkdir data1
    $ unshield -d data1 x data1.cab
    $ cd data1/Java_Classes
    $ ls
    WTF!?? It's Java, but with tons of Windows dependencies.

    1. Re:Lets see by dtfinch · · Score: 4, Informative

      Beyond that, I couldn't get it to run.

    2. Re:Lets see by dtfinch · · Score: 4, Informative

      The application forms are in XFDL, if that helps anyone.

    3. Re:Lets see by dtfinch · · Score: 4, Funny

      It couldn't have been that informative. I didn't try very hard.

  7. Re:Oh for God's sake by drakethegreat · · Score: 2, Funny

    *Turns on Sarcastic Voice*

    This guy is right. Its not our job to support what we believe in. Its our job to be quiet and let corporate america and the government do what they want cause thats what good citizens do!

  8. You have not spent enough time in Washington. by mbstone · · Score: 2, Funny

    1. Purchase copy of Windows.
    2. Mark up copy of Windows and bill Uncle Sam.
    3. Profit!!

  9. Logical Fallacy by DustMagnet · · Score: 2, Insightful
    Just because the current grants.gov requires Windows and all federal grants will eventually use grants.gov, does not mean that eventually they will all require Windows.

    I'll be much happier when NASA doesn't require sending physical paper (15+ copies!).

    --
    'SBEMAIL!' is better than a goat!!
  10. Re:Good heavens by Bastian · · Score: 5, Funny

    How many mod points can you milk out of this thread?

    You, sir, have earned my deepest respect.

  11. A little Googling by mchawi · · Score: 4, Informative

    http://64.233.187.104/search?q=cache:OTOiWnGpzuMJ: www.grants.gov/assets/MinutesJune.doc+pureedge+rea der+linux&hl=en&client=firefox-a/

    The article states:

    Q: Is PureEdge going to be available on the Macintosh and Linux platforms soon?

    A: We hope that over the next nine months to a year, we will be able to serve the Macintosh and Linux users. It is currently supporting both Netscape and Explorer.

    Some of the PureEdge products say they support Linux / Unix / Windows - so the reader might already support it. It's hard to tell though, since their website kind of sucks.

  12. Re:Oh for God's sake by tacocat · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Cute line, but you're being an ass.

    This is an excellent point and needs more consideration than you are willing to give it. If I go to a University, they may require Windows. But they have a few things different from the Government.

    1. You signed up for going to that University. No one asked me in the birth canal.
    2. You can ask beforehand if they have a Windows only policy. I don't recall that conversation in the womb.
    3. They offer computer labs with Windows. Where are the US Government supplied computers available?
    At this rate we might be better off getting non-Windows users added to the Americans with Disabilities Act.

    Actually this makes a lot of sense, bear with me.

    A majority of people who have problems with Accessability, be it hearing, vision, arms or legs, have below average income levels. I don't know exactly why, but they do, it's a measurable fact. Since they have lower income levels, they often times are not in a position to afford newer computers.

    One associate of mine who is near deaf works on a project refurbishing old computers with Linux on them for these people to use. For many, this is the only machine that they have ready access to. But because of the costs and license restrictions, these machines simply cannot have Windows on them at all.

    So in a very legitimate way, this may be an issue for the ADA.

  13. EFF by xgamer04 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    If this actually happens (which it hopefully won't), I'll definitely be donating heavily to the EFF and encouraging them to file suit against the gov.

    --
    When you look at the state of the world, how can you not become a radical, liberal anarchist?
  14. Reply from grants.gov by LordNimon · · Score: 4, Informative
    I also sent them a nasty email, and this is the reply I got:

    Thank you for your recent inquiry to Grants.gov concerning the Pure Edge viewer.

    Grants.gov has been working with Pure Edge to offer a viewer that is compatible with as many operating systems as possible. We feel that we are not too far from achieving that goal, and when we do, be sure that information will be posted on our website. In the meantime, we apologize if the viewer options we offer for your operating system are not acceptable. Our goal is to ensure the widest possible acceptance of Grants.gov and certainly not to exclude anyone from the electronic grants submission process. To that end, as a first step, we ensured that the Pure Edge viewer will work with a Windows emulator program, as described on our website.

    Grants.gov employs the PureEdge Viewer 6.0 for viewing and completing application forms. The PureEdge viewer's 508 compliance is described at http://www.pureedge.com/products/products/PureEdge AccessibilityGuide.pdf. Grants.gov sponsored testing of the PureEdge viewer demonstrated the viewer's compatibility with the widely used Jaws screen reader. An enhanced version of the PureEdge Viewer that will include compatibility with a broader range of screen reader products through support for industry standard interfaces for accessibility is in the process of being tested and upon successful completion of testing will be posted to the site.

    Feel free to contact us should you have further inquiries.

    --
    And the men who hold high places must be the ones who start
    To mold a new reality... closer to the heart
    1. Re:Reply from grants.gov by turbosk · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I just did get off the phone with a wonderful person named Estelle (sp?) at the grants.gov phone #, and she cheerfully took my complaint and made an effort to be most helpful and polite. She did say they "have received many emails today for some reason" :)

      I suggested they use PDF, and I see from your comment that PureEdge uses it "....oducts/PureEdge AccessibilityGuide.pdf" and complained about the MS lock-in system that grants.gov has right now. She read me the standard reply they send all the emails.

      Anyway, this is the first time I've ever called the gubmint, and it was a positive experience.