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FEMA Demands Use of IE To File Online Katrina Claims
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.
... i'd just love to know what feature they're requiring that everyone else DOESN'T have... I wonder if opera using it's browser masking could do it?
Shadus
From TFA: If you're running Mac OS X, you could run Virtual PC 7 and then access Windows and Internet Explorer.
+1 funny, -2 overrated. Life isn't fair.
The title pretty much sums it up. This is such a none issue that I cannot believe that it is on the front page.
Look at the destruction in New Orleans and Biloxi. Do you really think that there are any/many people filing FEMA claims via the internet?
Doesn't the disabilities act apply to FEMA? And doesn't that require a certain level of website?
It's not that they can't file claims without using IE... they just can't do it online. If you've ever tried programming javascript for client side error checking of complex forms, you know that standards are very non-existant in the internet world. I completely understand why they would only want people using IE to register, especially if they didn't have much of a tech support staff. It's near impossible to cater a web app to every single flavor of every browser for every OS.
"You had this look that of an angel, it was such a bad disguise" --Dishwalla
I live in the United States and pretty much like it here. But this kind of stupid shit, coupled with all the freedom we've given up for the sake of "greater security," makes me want to bitch-slap the entire Federal government.
This is exactly why I posted to Ask Slashdot (rejected) to ask what everyone thought about putting together some type of generic system for disaster victims.
Disasters may be the worst time for requiring proprietary systems.
There has been some discussion on isc.sans.org about the Red Cross needing IT volunteers to develop their system.
My idea is that most of us have extra stuff laying around that could easily be used with a customized Knoppix type CD (no HD keeps the cost down and the system intact up). The systems could be used to get shelters online (some corp can provide the circuit for Internet access). On the backend there could be a DB for victims.
Also, a lot of these people have lost EVERYTHING. A barebones computer that gets them online is better than no computer at all.
And what better way to introduce more people the world without MS.
Keep the Classic Slashdot.
You gotta love their disclaimer...
"unless an undue burden would be imposed on us"
Who, exactly, decides what is an "undue burden" and what is their criteria for deeming it so?
We have enough youth, how about a fountain of SMART?
This is going to be redundant, but the issue is this: People have lost their possessions. So likely don't have computers.
The phone service will only mail you forms to your home address, either being useless as they don't have mail service or an address to deliver to, or delaying their movement through the system for no reason.
The alternative is the web based form, however, in the shelters the only computers available are donated ones. Many of these do not have WindowsXP installed, and even if they did, the disaster workers are using putting in a standard Knoppix boot to greatly simplify administration and such. Not to mention avoid license issues.
So they cannot access the forms this way either, again needlessly delaying their progress. This is forcing many people to wait until the disaster is over, and FEMA gets around to placing kiosks where people can go to sign up.
Not only is this inefficient for FEMA, but it's stupid to make people in a shelter with a computer and internet access unable to fill out the forms NOW.
By requireing IE6 - FEMA is saying that people need to donate new computers or ones with paid up licenses (and how does one do that anyway? Lots of red tape) vs giving any functional hardware from the last 12 years or so and a non legally encumbered CD the aid workers can pop-in.
Opera, Proxomitron-Grypen,GPG 0x0A1C6EE3
or maybe 25. I'm just a kid so I don't know.
Can I ask a follow-up question? When, if ever, did it first occur to FEMA that people registering/applying via the Web might be a Good Thing? This week?
My turnips listen for the soft cry of your love
I live and run a PC Repair/Gaming shop in western New York (Chautauqua County, to be more specific). This area's main industry is grapes (as consumable food stuff, i.e. Welch's juice, jellies, etc...), ergo, there are a lot of farmer's here.
As of last year, most of the buyers began requiring the farmers to file their spray reports (records of fertilizers and pesticides) electronically. The means of filing differed between two major buyers -- one is via the web, the other via a spreadsheet and emailed. The web version - IE only (no mac's, no *nix, no alternative browsers). The other, an Excel spreadsheet that does not like opening in OOo.
(In all honesty, that has opened up a nice side service for my business...)
My point is not to detract from the tragedy that has befallen the victims of Katrina, only to point out that it is not uncommon for decision makers (who's very decisions effect a group's livelihood) to make unwise decisions.
I would be interested to see if there's an increase in sales of x86 laptops on ebay (or any used market) specifically for Mac users who need to file with FEMA. (Just as interesting would be to see if there's an increase in sales of Crossover Office).
<sarcasm> Maybe's there's grant money there for a study.</sarcasm>.
#SickNotWeak
The reason is that some people are building web access kiosks and they're using Linux. The reason for the kiosks are so people can communicate with others. While I agree it's not the first thing on the list of that which is important, communication is important and these kiosks may be the first thing available to many. Also by using the kiosk they may be able to start the FEMA paper work early and get something that can help them soon.
Neil Cherry - Linux Smart Homes For Dummies
"[...] if you want to go to McDonalds drive-thru you need to have a car."
I'm not sure if this is off-topic or not, but it reminded me of something that happened once.
Back in 1985, as Hurricane Gloria was bearing down on Long Island, I decided it might not be a bad idea to head to the bank, get some cash, and lay in supplies for the day. I was tasked with keeping an eye on our network hubs which were located in a potentially leaky basement.
In any event, I figured I'd make an early start of it. So I wandered down to the bank. This was before ATMs were particularly widespread, but the drive-thru tellers were in at 7:30. I figured I'd just walk up to the drive-thru teller, since I didn't have a car.
No dice. I was refused service. Even when the cars had left, the teller refused to even go over to walk-up window. I would have to wait until the bank opened at 9:00AM.
So I did. I waited until 9:00AM, got my money, made a bee-line to the store for food, etc. and got into work just as the storm started to hit in earnest.
That weekend, I went into the bank, closed my account, and let them know exactly how I felt about being discriminated against.
Part of my annoyance, of course, came from the fact that we have a hurricane bearing down on us and I have to stand around and wait while others are allowed to go, simply because the bank had some rule. Actually, the person at the bank I talked to agreed with me and the teller was reprimanded.
Curious, I went to the link using Mozilla and Linux. Sure enough, it popped up a display saying I needed IE.
Then using mozdev prefbar, I set the very same Mozilla browser running linux to pretend to be IE6.
BINGO! The page came up with the form and check boxes.
I stopped here because I'm not actually applying for aid.
There doesn't appear to be a valid reason for even looking for IE.