RE: IE-only sites

On Sun, 2003-11-23 at 20:40, Pablo Vieira wrote:
> [PV] OpenOffice.org allows you to use non-documented MS Office formats
> because they've become de-facto standards. My opinion is that IE's number of
> users would suggest to play nice with their rules for the very same reasons.
> The question is -again- is it possible at all or is there something
> preventing it beyond any chance?

I am sure it could be done.  Developers (perhsps those involved with
Mozilla) would have to see what tags give what results in IE, then
emulate that behaviour in the other browser.

I would expect that this would be easier than OpenOffice.org's task of
compatibility with M$ Office formats since MS Office formats are closed
while the HTML, Jscript, etc and IE's behaviour in response to them is
available for all to see so long as they can access a Windows PC.

I was shocked to learn that there are government websites in Spain that
only work with IE.  One would think that in government and education
there exists a heightened responsibility to make information and
services accessible to all.  That said, I have never tried to pay my
taxes online here in Canada.  Perhaps it is the same here and I don't
know about it.

Extremadura Spain has been often referred to as an example of progress
for Linux and of the potential Linux offers to level the technological
playing field.  I wonder if people there can help lobby for
interoperability and access to services?

Awareness of open standards is growing.  I think we will see change for
the better sooner rather than later.  Particularly if each of us who are
aware do what we can to support uses of technology that favour freedom.

Best regards,
Ian Stephen