RE: IE-only sites

Thanks Ian, your response gives me some hope. Maybe I start a project myself
to make IE-only sites shine in Linux boxes (so there's no need to stay on
Windows at all!!)

Regarding Extremadura, they have done a great job and the policy is being
extended to the bigger region Andalucia. Unfortunately, both are Spain's
poorest areas and their influence in "northern" decisions is very limited. I
was a bit more than shocked when I knew some public official sites were
IE-only sites: as a Spaniard I was outraged. So is many other people in
Spain and hopefully the situation will change soon. At least one of the 17
regions here, Valencia, governed by the right wing (currently in the central
government too) is rebelling against Microsoft and probably embracing Linux.
THAT would really help since Valencia is one of the richest and more
influent areas and its governor an important member of the party ruling
Spain today.

I also hope "standards" win in the end, but let's face it: M$ is much a
brute force standard nowadays. Fighting them upfront is OK, but I believe
"absorbing" their standards (WHILE CHANGING THE WORKING MODEL, I'm
personally against app-clones) and moving people slowly away from them might
get better results. Anyway, both ways might live happily together.

Pablo

> -----Mensaje original-----
> De: annoyances-bounces-DzJonyRHso41Ayx8vbq1stBPR1lH4CV8@public.gmane.org [mailto:annoyances-bounces@dee-
> annleblanc.com] En nombre de Ian Stephen
> Enviado el: lunes, 24 de noviembre de 2003 7:04
> Para: Seeking Linux annoyances for a book.
> Asunto: RE: [Annoyances] 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
> 
> _______________________________________________
> annoyances mailing list
> [email protected]
> http://michelangelo.renaissoft.com/mailman/listinfo/annoyances
>