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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.
clever use of the $ sign
Oh, boo fucking hoo. I know basically nothing about "programming javascript for client-side error checking of complex forms," but I bet there are other options. Lots of other organizations and companies seem to accomplish this task, using browser-agnostic methods (server-side checking...).
Sorry, I file this under "FEMA, Incompetence of, Further Examples."
"Science is a tribute to what we can know although we are fallible" -Jacob Bronowski
A couple points:
If you are filing a claim, most likely you lost your computer (if you ever had one). Thus you will likely use gov't (library computers, FEMA computer "labs") These will have ie most likely.
Will Mozzilla, Opera (and others) or Microsoft give greater corporate donations to the relief efforts. I am not saying that this should have anything to do with it, but something to ponder.
Many (by all means not all) of the people who will be filing claims were very poor, or very old. Two groups that tend to have little experience with computers. I wonder what percentage of people will need assistance registering for claims.
Here is the biggest Karma boost possible: George Bush Caused the hurricane, using airplanes manufactured with no-bid contracts by Halliburton. These airplanes, using Microsoft software, and with Rumsfeld, Gates and Bolton at the controls, flew around in circles causing the hurricane. This was to draw attention away from not only the missteps in Iraq- but also Microsofts deceptive practices. Does that get me a +10000 informative?
And All I Ask is a Tall Ship And a Star to Steer Her By
Maybe he even hands them his own.
My other post is a First.
no, bush threw away the medal but kept the ribbons.
just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand!
"it would be a mistake to suggest using cellphones to contact FEMA is a viable option."
WHY? If it's the ONLY option, then it's viable. I don't understand what you're trying to say here.
And what are you suggesting as an alternative? Right, you're not suggesting an alternative.
The editing here on slashdot sucks. Perhaps you should focus a bit more attention on that, and less on trying to wedge your personal experience into someone elses conversation, especially when you add nothing of value.
"You posted a large amount of complete bullshit, claiming that New Orleans victims were able to use cellphones because you were in Florida. This is wrong on two levels, as I pointed out: One: you're lying."
Show me where I stated this. SHOW ME. You can't. So, once again, we see why slashdot editing is so bad, the editors can't even READ FOR CONTEXT OR MEANING. It is, however, exactly what I expected.
"And secondly, I pointed out your comments were irrelevent because the situation is different in New Orleans"
That's all you had to do. Not add completely irrelevant bullshit of your own about the networks being out or down in Florida after the Hurricanes (you're lying abou this by the way, so calling ME a liar is hilarious) or crap about what is viable or not. YOU ARE NOT THE ARBITER OF WHAT IS "viable" FOR OTHER PEOPLE. If a cell is the only option and it works (some do in NO, don't try to lie and claim they don't) then who the fuck are you to decide what is viable? Well?
Again, however, just what I would expect from a slashdot editor. Inaccuracies, followed by useless crap, followed by anger, frustration, and name calling.
What are you 5? You write and edit like you are.
"You claimed that cellphones were usable, both in contrast to your experience of a "similar" (actually far, far, more mild) situation, which you actively misrepresented,"
How did I misrepresent anything? MY phone worked perfectly EVERY time I tried, before, during, and after the hurricanes in Central Florida, and my area was one of the worst hit. How could you possibly know anything about my phone and how well it worked? Oh right, you're the "expert" who amazingly, WASN'T THERE. So, no I will flame you. Of course, now you'll try to ban me, because again, you seem to think like a five year old.
Oh well, what should I expect from an EDITOR of slashdot.
The thing that I find amazing is that you not only admit it but that you actually seem to be proud of it, voting for Bush I mean not using a Mac.
In case you haven't noticed most people, even right wingers are, to put it mildly, "distancing" themselves from the guy, if not running as far and fast away from him as they can, especially Republican politicians up for election in 2006.
After the expensive disaster that Iraq has turned in to, which no one can deny any more, after Katrina and Michale Brown, and after its become obvious that a completely Republican dominated government is squandering and borrowing money at a rate the Democrats could only dream of, there aren't many real conservatives that want anything to do with the guy any more.
I'm pretty sure the only people that are still admitting they voted for, like and support Bush/Cheney are corporate fat cats making windfall profits from his tax cuts and pork laden bills, Fox news and right wing radio anchors and the Christian fundamentalists who will back him no matter how bad his leadership is as long as he bashes gays, keeps promising to overturn Roe V. Wade, and keeps claiming to be a born again.
Which one are you?
@de_machina