FEMA Demands Use of IE To File Online Katrina Claims

FEMA Demands Use of IE To File Online Katrina Claims 1165

Posted by Zonk on Thursday September 08, 2005 @08:51AM 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.

FEMA Demands Use of IE To File Online Katrina Claims

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And... (Score:2, Funny)

by crow_t_robot ( 528562 ) writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @08:53AM (#13508293)

...FEMA certainly knows how to get things done! (efficiently too!)

You knew it was coming... (Score:5, Funny)

by irving47 ( 73147 ) writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @08:54AM (#13508304) Homepage

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

Cleary the government doesn't care about... (Score:2, Funny)

by ottergoose ( 770022 ) writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @08:59AM (#13508353) Homepage

Clearly the government doesn't care about minorities. Only educated, rich, Windows users can apply for aid online.

(Funny, not flamebait)

Thread over! (Score:2, Funny)

by Throwman ( 898079 ) writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @08:59AM (#13508359)

You win!

Re:You knew it was coming... (Score:5, Funny)

by ettlz ( 639203 ) writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @09:02AM (#13508386) Journal

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

Re:you know... (Score:5, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @09:03AM (#13508400)

Any sufficiently advanced incompetence is indistinguishable from malice.

Re:You knew it was coming... (Score:2, Funny)

by glug101 ( 911527 ) writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @09:05AM (#13508411)

Likely because the previous administration installed a bunch of macs in the whitehouse. Macs are for Democrats and Commies. Not for decent Americans.

/. it (Score:5, Funny)

by valentyn ( 248783 ) writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @09:05AM (#13508415) Homepage

Now we Linux and Mac users from all over the world can try to test the site. That will at least help stress the servers to the point that simply no one will be able to file their requests.

Re:Virtual PC (Score:5, Funny)

by m4dm4n ( 888871 ) writes: <madman@nofrance.info> on Thursday September 08, 2005 @09:06AM (#13508435) Homepage

I think in the end you're probably better off just using the telephone. They're more likely to understand technology thats been around for more than 100 years.

"MS-Internet" is confusing to them.

Re:you know... (Score:5, Funny)

by elrous0 ( 869638 ) writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @09:09AM (#13508454)

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

TINFOIL HAT POST!!! (Score:3, Funny)

by DenDave ( 700621 ) writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @09:14AM (#13508516)

I can see it already..

Download Microsoft Vote(tm) for the next election!
Anyone without a Genuine Advantage Entitled Windows XP Service pack 2 must either upgrade or not be able to register to vote. Available also for Windows MobileXP.

From the EULA ... User accepts pre-defined choices in the following categories.... ... User declines the right to recall.... ... User hereby waives right to request a recount.... ... User will be registered to vote in a state of Microsoft's chosing as needs require....

---------

Miles and miles away, in the White House....

*computer*
Good morning mister president
*POTUS*
Good morning computer, what are my orders today?

Re:Crap. (Score:3, Funny)

by justin12345 ( 846440 ) writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @09:24AM (#13508614)

"If your code is REMOTELY standards compliant then it'll pretty much work on every browser."

Yeah, every browser except IE.

what we need now (Score:5, Funny)

by Alien54 ( 180860 ) writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @09:24AM (#13508617) Journal

is for Microsoft to release a version update, say to 6.2, that would automatically install through auto-update, and break on the site.
As they say, not FEMAs fault

Re:You knew it was coming... (Score:5, Funny)

by ozmanjusri ( 601766 ) writes: <aussie_bob@hotmail . c om> on Thursday September 08, 2005 @09:26AM (#13508630) Journal

Sorry. I am both

Which one are you apologising for?

Re:Virtual PC (Score:5, Funny)

by lxs ( 131946 ) writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @09:30AM (#13508673)

I think in the end you're probably better off just using the telephone

--krrrr click--Thank you for calling FEMA, we regret to inform you that since you're using a Nokia mobile phone, we cannot connect you to an operator, please switch to a Motorola cellphone to make full use of our services. -bzzz- Have a nice day. --bleep--

Re:Nothing for you to see here. Please move along. (Score:2, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @09:39AM (#13508747)

Do you really think that there are any/many people filing FEMA claims via the internet?
Maybe not, but let's go ahead and slashdot the registration site just in case.

Re:you know... (Score:5, Funny)

by XO ( 250276 ) writes: <blade.eric@NospAM.gmail.com> on Thursday September 08, 2005 @09:49AM (#13508846) Homepage Journal

well, it does say specifically, IE 6.0.

It's not kidding.

Re:You knew it was coming... (Score:4, Funny)

by tb3 ( 313150 ) writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @09:53AM (#13508889) Homepage

I call bullshit. George barely knows how to operate his freaking iPod.
I'll bet his 'computer' is just an Etch-a-sketch painted white ...

Re:You knew it was coming... (Score:5, Funny)

by Irish_Samurai ( 224931 ) writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @09:54AM (#13508903)

Drugs

Re:you know... (Score:5, Funny)

by drooling-dog ( 189103 ) writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @10:10AM (#13509031)

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

Re:you know... (Score:3, Funny)

by StillNeedMoreCoffee ( 123989 ) writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @10:10AM (#13509037)

No thats having advanced incompetence in the White House.

Sorry I'm lost here in a maze of twisting little passageways.

Re:accessibility is the way to do this (Score:5, Funny)

by KarmaMB84 ( 743001 ) writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @10:16AM (#13509081)

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

Re:You knew it was coming... (Score:5, Funny)

by tassii ( 615268 ) writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @10:36AM (#13509243)

Bush uses a Mac, as does Rush Limbaugh.

That's because its easy to use a Mac.

If my 3 year old could use a Mac, I'd hope that Bush would be up to the challenge, although I have my doubts.

Welcome IE Overlords (Score:2, Funny)

by netrangerrr ( 455862 ) writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @10:42AM (#13509282) Homepage

I for one welcome our IE browser overlords. This type of forced standardization by government experts is exactly what we need. It's too confusing to support more than one operating system and browser when writing evil attacks.

Re:you know... (Score:4, Funny)

by mekkab ( 133181 ) writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @10:49AM (#13509358) Homepage Journal

It's also a good lesson for designing things even when you *know* the environment in which it will be used...that can change and it's best to work with standards rather than the easiest, but perhaps proprietary choice.

Its statements like that which guarantees you'll never work in management.

GBTW!!!

Re:you know... (Score:5, Funny)

by sharkey ( 16670 ) writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @10:51AM (#13509374)

The Georges W. Bush medal of incompetence (made of dark-brown copper).
Surely it's made of coprolite, not copper.

Re:you know... (Score:2, Funny)

by blinksilver ( 889330 ) writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @11:02AM (#13509481)

"the best part is that using IE7 gets you the same errorpage. Those guys just know everything about browsers, don't they..."

As much as I like bashing our stupid gov't, this one is not their fault. Whenever I boot to Windows (like i am now) I use IE7, and no matter where i go, they think i am running netscape 4, try it on yahoo mail.

I guess IE has finally reached the technological pinnacle that is netscape 4.

Re:You knew it was coming... (Score:5, Funny)

by electronym ( 769952 ) writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @11:12AM (#13509566)

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

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

Re:you know... (Score:5, Funny)

by Anonymous Cowpat ( 788193 ) writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @11:56AM (#13509973) Journal

There's a medal for "making the president look relatively less incompetent"?

Re:you know... (Score:1, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @12:03PM (#13510032)

old-boy friend of Bush

Did anyone else read that as, "old boyfriend of Bush"?

Re:He's notorious in the horse community... (Score:2, Funny)

by Thondermonst ( 613766 ) writes: <thondermonst AT gmail DOT com> on Thursday September 08, 2005 @12:28PM (#13510232)

My wife's an arabian horsewoman

Just wondering, is that painful?

Re:you know... (Score:5, Funny)

by drooling-dog ( 189103 ) writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @01:11PM (#13510637)

You mean Medal of Freedom, right?
Er... Yes; I screwed up because I don't get these very often.
Jon Stewart: So no one's going to be held accountable for this at all?
Ed Helms: No. In fact, if history is any indication, they'll be hard-pressed finding enough medals to pin on these guys. My sources tell me the head of FEMA will be dipped in bronze and turned into an award to be given to other officials.

Re:Woman calls FEMA and gets runaround (Score:3, Funny)

by Renraku ( 518261 ) writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @01:12PM (#13510651) Homepage

FEMA: How can we help you today?

Thug: Uum. I want free money.

FEMA: Ok, were you in New Orleans and lost everything?

Thug: Yep.

FEMA: Ok, where did you live?

Thug: My house was destroyed.

FEMA: Ok, we'll write that check right now.

Thug: Make it out to Achmed Hamed. I'm in Nigeria.

Re:You knew it was coming... (Score:2, Funny)

by Moofie ( 22272 ) writes: <lee AT ringofsaturn DOT com> on Thursday September 08, 2005 @02:10PM (#13511282) Homepage

"Of course, he is the one to point out that liberals cannot argue issues, becasue they always lose to the fact, so they turn to attacking their opponent personally."

So Karl Rove is a liberal?

Re:I'll buy that... for a millionth of a cent (Score:3, Funny)

by Citizen of Earth ( 569446 ) writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @05:34PM (#13513303)

"My to-do list is so long that it doesn't have an end; it has an event horizon."

Rumour says they're working on Firefox.... (Score:1, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Thursday September 08, 2005 @09:16PM (#13514791)

Access should be ready to go in about a year. Purchase an approved copy at the sports stadium housing you for a discounted price of $29.99.

Be aware that written permission from FEMA is mandatory to connect Firefox with our Claims site. Read the EULA carefully. There is a 7 p.m. curfew on Firefox use so be sure to only use it during office hours. If you do not know how to use Firefox, contact one of the National Guardsmen "protecting" you. If you are not currently in a displaced person's facility, return to one for an opportunity to purchase a copy of Firefox and for approved FEMA Firefox instruction from one of our select instructors at a very nominal fee.

WARNING: illegal for use within the city limits of New Orleans.

There may be more comments in this discussion. Without JavaScript enabled, you might want to turn on Classic Discussion System in your preferences instead.

And... (Score:2, Funny)

You knew it was coming... (Score:5, Funny)

Cleary the government doesn't care about... (Score:2, Funny)

Thread over! (Score:2, Funny)

Re:You knew it was coming... (Score:5, Funny)

Re:you know... (Score:5, Funny)

Re:You knew it was coming... (Score:2, Funny)

/. it (Score:5, Funny)

Re:Virtual PC (Score:5, Funny)

Re:you know... (Score:5, Funny)

TINFOIL HAT POST!!! (Score:3, Funny)

Re:Crap. (Score:3, Funny)

what we need now (Score:5, Funny)

Re:You knew it was coming... (Score:5, Funny)

Re:Virtual PC (Score:5, Funny)

Re:Nothing for you to see here. Please move along. (Score:2, Funny)

Re:you know... (Score:5, Funny)

Re:You knew it was coming... (Score:4, Funny)

Re:You knew it was coming... (Score:5, Funny)

Re:you know... (Score:5, Funny)

Re:you know... (Score:3, Funny)

Re:accessibility is the way to do this (Score:5, Funny)

Re:You knew it was coming... (Score:5, Funny)

Welcome IE Overlords (Score:2, Funny)

Re:you know... (Score:4, Funny)

Re:you know... (Score:5, Funny)

Re:you know... (Score:2, Funny)

Re:You knew it was coming... (Score:5, Funny)

Re:you know... (Score:5, Funny)

Re:you know... (Score:1, Funny)

Re:He's notorious in the horse community... (Score:2, Funny)

Re:you know... (Score:5, Funny)

Re:Woman calls FEMA and gets runaround (Score:3, Funny)

Re:You knew it was coming... (Score:2, Funny)

Re:I'll buy that... for a millionth of a cent (Score:3, Funny)

Rumour says they're working on Firefox.... (Score:1, Funny)

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