Australia's 'e-tax' Windows Only

Kinky Bass Junk writes "As the need to submit tax returns is looming, notification emails are sent out to users of the tax office's services. This year, the Australia Tax Office (ATO) is using a web-based tax return system, as well as the traditional paper based systems. The e-tax website has all the details, and the requirements of the software stand out: 'e-tax is not compatible with Linux or Apple Macintosh computers. However, if you have suitable Windows Emulator software installed, you may be able to use e-tax.' Here is a protest email I have set up for those who disagree with this."

Comments

Oh for God sake

[QuantumG]

Why is it people these days go straight for petitioning their government instead of trying to help themselves? Here's a couple of suggestions:

1. Study the program and the resulting data and write a workalike program for your favourite platform.
   
2. Put in a Freedom Of Information Act request for the source code to this program so you can port it to your favourite platform.
   
3. Work on WINE so it can run this program as it has been written.
   
4. Study the tax system and develop a program that works better than the original so people on alternative platforms don't feel the need to boot into Windows to use the "official" software.
   

Of course, every one of these involves some kind of work and doesn't have the quick fix appeal of sending an email to a public servant who is just trying to do his job.