"George Bush doesn't care about Mac users."
Posted on 09/07/2005 8:56:25 AM PDT by Dont Mention the War
By Jonny Evans
Mac and Linux-using hurricane survivors are unable to use Federal disaster relief claim form services online.
This is because the much-criticized US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created a service that only works with Windows and Internet Explorer 6.
This acts to the frustration of survivors lucky enough to be able to access a Mac or Linux computer, and to the reported consternation of disaster relief teams on the ground.
However, some Mac users exploiting the Opera browser (which by default identifies itself as Internet Explorer 6) report being able to access the claims service.
FEMA and the US administration face strong criticism that it failed to act fast enough to help save thousands of hurricane survivors.
Some local Louisiana representatives complained that following last week's terrible natural disaster, FEMA agents actually stopped other forms of help getting through.
What happened in terms of US disaster relief last week will in future be assessed by a cross-party team led by current US president George Bush, who returned from holiday after the disaster happened but just in time to see Federal aid begin to reach affected areas, four days after the storm levelled the Gulf Coast region.
Ars Technica claims many relief workers are frustrated at being tied to Windows by FEMA's online services, as it means they need to spend precious aid money on Windows OS licenses as they set up terminals to help thousands of hurricane victims initiate the claims process. "Workers on the ground have told Ars Technica that they would prefer to avoid setting up Windows XP workstations because they take longer to setup, and even longer to properly patch and configure for use," the report states.
"The issue isn't only security", the report continues. "Windows XP hardware requirements, while not impressive by today's standards, rule out using some donated hardware as well. Furthermore, legitimate copies of Windows also cost money, and relief workers are trying to stretch their dollars as far as they can go," it reports.
ping
Scrappleface?
Of course, since Macs comprise less than 5% of the overall desktop computer market, the point is moot.
When you are spending somebody else's money on somebody else, you don't care how much you spend, and you don't care what you
get.
And the whiny Mac users ring in. If they really cared about contributing, they'd find a way. But no, it's all about them.
Government sponsored software piracy?
The Gatesbot speaks.
I guess that's Bush fault! You know how the GOP is in Bbed with Bill Gates! /s
Here in FLORIDA, people from MS and LA are being told that FEMA here cannot help them. They MUST get help from FEMA where they are FROM! These people have no homes, jobs or money !!! FEMA IS THE MOST STUPID SET OF BEAUREAUCRATS ON THE PLANET!!!!!!!!!
"George Bush doesn't care about Mac users."
my my my - how these liberal yuppies whine and cry!
"Boo Hoo Hoo - I haven't the intelligence to figure out how to view a web site not specifically designed for my computer."
"You meannie people!"
Sounds more like the sandlot in elementary school! Oops there are no more sandlots - these whiners may get some real dirt on their dainty little pinkies.
There ARE plug-ins for almost every browser to view almost any system. But it does take a little self motivation and intelligence....
Are you saying I don't care?
Firefox and Opera browsers both can identify themselves as IE for Windows.
It takes a concious effort to actually "block out" specific platforms on web forms, as the forms (when java or other script-based web apps) are genearlly cross-platform with zero development effort. They just work. The coding of the web page involved was probably done by a raving embecile.
This has nothing to do with market share, it has everything to do with ignorance.
my my my - how these liberal yuppies whine and cry!
----
Yes, that is their full-time profession. Whining, crying, lying, cheating, stealing -- same old libs, they never change. God, what next?
Multi-browsering a webapp is a rather expensive and time consuming task, and given the market penetration IE has it's simply not worth the time and effort.
The point is NOT moot. Just because you're using Windows doesn't neccessarily mean you're using IE (which all security experts advise against doing anyway)...lots of Firefox users out there.
This is a pet peeve of mine, anyway. Webmasters should code to web standards, not to a particular browser.
Oh, and for your sig about linux....the best things in life are free :)
"This acts to the frustration of survivors lucky enough to be able to access a Mac or Linux computer, ..."
Not quite - they were the ones UNlucky enough to only have access to a Mac or Linux box...
I'm sorry; the correct answer is "Any competent programmer uses standards that work on all platforms."
Buh-bye!
As compared to what? If they're using a X-nux kiosk boot disk, this is a true statement, but as for any other OS I can think of off the top of my head - specifically Red Hat, SuSE, Fedora Core: each of which I've set up on numerous occasions - this is simply an untrue statement.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.