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FEMA Demands Use of IE To File Online Katrina Claims

Posted by Zonk on from the small-but-annoying-details dept.

WebHostingGuy writes "As reported by MSNBC, if you survived the hurricane and are a Mac, Linux or Firefox user you cannot file a claim online. Further, you must have javascript enabled or face rejection. From the site: 'We are sorry for not being able to proceed your requests because you have failed our tests.' Opera and Netscape don't work either." Also reported at InformationWeek. From that story: "To file a claim online at FEMA's Individual Assistance Center, where citizens can apply for government help, the browser must be IE 6.0 or later with JavaScript enabled. That cuts out everyone running Linux or the Mac operating systems, as well as Windows users running alternate browsers such as Firefox or Opera. When TechWeb tested the site using Windows XP and Firefox 1.0.6, the message 'In order to use this site, you must have JavaScript Enabled and Internet Explorer version 6. Download it from Microsoft or call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) to register' popped up on the screen." Update: 09/08 13:48 GMT by Z : Added word 'Online' to title to clarify story.

9 of 1,165 comments (clear)

  1. You knew it was coming... by irving47 · · Score: 5, Funny

    "George Bush doesn't care about Mac people!"

    --
    I had a sucky sig.
    1. Re:You knew it was coming... by ettlz · · Score: 5, Funny

      Quite frankly, if a Mac-using Bush voter exists, I don't wanna hear, much less think, about it.

    2. Re:You knew it was coming... by ozmanjusri · · Score: 5, Funny

      Sorry. I am both

      Which one are you apologising for?

      --
      "I've got more toys than Teruhisa Kitahara."
    3. Re:You knew it was coming... by electronym · · Score: 5, Funny

      (I recall hearing somewhere that Rush Limbaugh is a big Mac advocate too)

      Obviously. He sure didn't get that fat eating McSalads.

  2. Re:you know... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Any sufficiently advanced incompetence is indistinguishable from malice.

  3. Re:you know... by elrous0 · · Score: 5, Funny
    It's out and out incompetence.

    Would you expect any less from FEMA?

    I tell you, if they get any more imcompetent, George Bush is going to have to give them a medal.

    -Eric

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
  4. Re:you know... by drooling-dog · · Score: 5, Funny

    Either way, somebody's in line for another Medal of Honor...

  5. Re:accessibility is the way to do this by KarmaMB84 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I wasn't aware that using an alternative operating system and/or browser was considered a disability.

  6. Re:you know... by sharkey · · Score: 5, Funny
    The Georges W. Bush medal of incompetence (made of dark-brown copper).

    Surely it's made of coprolite, not copper.

    --

    --
    "Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.