UK Benefits Claimants Must Use Windows XP, IE6

First time accepted submitter carlypage3 writes "Benefits claimants in the UK are being forced to use Microsoft's now obsolete Windows XP and Internet Explorer 6 software. The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) states that its online forms are not compatible with Internet Explorer 7, 8, 9 and 10, Safari, Google Chrome or Firefox. As if that wasn't unnerving enough, the Gov.UK website says that users cannot submit claims using Mac OS X or Linux operating systems, either." (Note: as we noted not long ago, it's not just the DWP that's stuck using IE6.)

Comments

Hardly anyone affected by this

[lga]

Yes, it's crap that applying for these benefits requires ancient browser tech, but note that this is for three specific benefits which will affect hardly anyone. The most common of these benefits, Disability Living Allowance, is closed to new applicants because it has been replaced by Personal Independence Payments. And Attendance Allowance was long ago replaced by DLA, now replaced by PIP except for those over 65.

Re:Hardly anyone affected by this

[cardpuncher]

Attendance Allowance has not been replaced by DLA. AA is available to over 65's who need support in their daily living owing to illness or disability. It's a key benefit for elderly care. That said, the application process is lengthy and often requires supporting medical evidence so people tend to rely on charities such as Age UK to do it for them - I can't really believe that anyone would *want* to do this online.

As usual, total nonsense.

[gnasher719]

I went to the website using the Safari browser on MacOS X, and without any problems opened the PDF form (which supposedly cannot be opened), started filling it in, and printed it (to a PDF file to avoid wasting paper, but that's the same thing). So this works absolutely fine if you have a modern Mac running MacOS X 10.8 (I didn't try older versions), and you either have a printer, or you have the e-mail address of a friend who has a printer (on a Mac, the "Print" function lets you print to your own printer, to a PDF file, to a PDF file stored in "Web receipts" which is quite handy, or to a PDF file that is mailed somewhere). You put the paper into an envelope and mail it in. That's it. So if you want to get these benefits, there is absolutely no need to use Windows, Windows XP, or Internet Explorer 6.

Re:Use Firefox 1.0.3

[kthreadd]

oldversion.com

If you're going to download old Mozilla software, at least download it from Mozilla's FTP site where all versions are archived.
http://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/

Re:I honestly don't understand why....

[Joce640k]

It's because they all use 32-bit ActiveX controls and even if you're running a 32-bit version of Windows 7 (hardly anybody is) the permission system doesn't let you install them without a huge amount of esoteric messing around.

Remember back in the 1990's when we told Microsoft that ActiveX was a bad idea...? Yeah, about that.

PS: We have the exact same problem here in Spain. All the accountants, etc., pretty much have to use Windows XP if they want to get any work done.

Re:Its okay ...

[gnasher719]

If you can afford a Mac, or a computer newer than XP, you don't need to be sucking off the public teat.

That, my friend, is total nonsense. This site is for people getting benefits for disabilities etc. For example, I have a well-paying job. With some bad luck, I might get some illness that makes it impossible for me to drive a car. If I can't drive to work, I can't drive to work and lose my job. The UK benefits system would (possibly) pay to have me driven to work. Which is a lot, lot cheaper because of the taxes that I would continue paying than paying me unemployment benefits. In other words, people with disabilities might be in good jobs and have plenty of money while still receiving benefits.

Re: Actually this is a good thing

[mspohr]

All the grandmas I know have switched to tablets

Re: Actually this is a good thing

[matria]

er... I'm a granny with 8 grandkids and I built my first PC over 20 years ago, the year before my first grandchild was born. Ran computer repair and small business/home networking shops in two states and two continents. Mac user now, although obliged to use a company-provided HP from time to time as well. Three Parallels VMs on the Mac for testing the websites I build. Also have a small smartphone; no tablet yet. Still haven't made up my mind which one to get.

It's Seibel E-systems

[Animats]

The whole site is built on Siebel E-Systems, an old CRM system, which generates the pages. Seibel is more or less defunct, having been acquired by Oracle.

The code is spectacularly version-specific. The error messages in Javascript code on the site indicate how tightly coupled this code is to very specific quirks of older software:

• "The script debugging feature is typically automatically enabled by Microsoft Visual Studio products. To improve performance of the Web browser for use with Siebel employee applications, it is recommended to disable script debugging in the Internet Explorer browser."
• "To fix this manually, in Internet Explorer menu, choose Tools > Internet Options > Security. Then choose the %1 security zone and click on Custom Level. Change %2 to %3."
• "To fix this manually, in Internet Explorer, choose Tools > Internet Options > Advanced Options. Clear the %1 check box."
• "Failed to retrieve Internet Explorer version from this machine."
• "There are some recommended settings not set correctly. You may experience functionality or performance problems. Are you sure you want to continue?"
• "This is required for use of Message bar, CTI toolbar, Workflow designer, Personalization business rules designer, Smartscript designer, Org-chart designer, Sales Pipeline Charts and Marketing campaign designer and other features."
• "Scripting is required in HI framework to manage data only interactions with the server and to interact with the browser DOM, ActiveX controls and Java Applets etc,. In addition, the HI framework also supports browser scripting for data validations etc,."
• "One or more settings fixed requires the browser to be restarted. Please exit the Siebel application, launch a new browser and try to login to the Siebel application again."
• "Please install Sun Java Runtime Environment version %s or higher. The correct Sun Java Runtime Environment can be downloaded from >. After the installation is completed, please configure Sun Java Runtime Environment version %s or higher as the default for your browser. This is performed in the Java Plug-in Control Panel. Please contact your administrator if you need assistance."
• "Q314312 or above is required for environments using Input Method Editors for eastern languages only, (example: Japanese) on Internet Explorer 5.5. Microsoft makes this patch and related information available through their support organization and/or the following link: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q314312.";
• "Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 2 is a prerequisite for Siebel 7 HI applications running for Internet Explorer 5.5 Microsoft makes this software and related information available through their support organization for customers with extended support contracts and makes additional information available at the following download location: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;enus;Q303201&ID=303201.";
• "Internet Explorer 6.0 Service Pack 1 or above is a prerequisite for Siebel 7 HI applications running on Internet Explorer 6.0.Microsoft makes this patch and related information available through their support organization or the following download location: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/critical/ie6sp1/default.asp. The "Windows Update" feature may provide this and other valuable updates to your browser environment."
• "The registry entry workaround described in Q823099 is a prerequisite for Siebel 7 HI applications running against SunOne Web servers using Siebel Web Server compression on Internet Explorer. Microsoft makes the workaround instructions available through their support organization or the following location: