[Ham-Mac] Netscape 4.7 - 6.2 vs Explorer

[Steve Muncy]

On 3/21/02 1:48 PM, "John E Bastin, K8AJS" <jbastin@sssnet.com> wrote:

> I have also checked the ARRL Web site with IE5, Netscape 4 and 6, Opera,
> OmniWeb and iCab, in both Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X where the client software was
> available. The ONLY browser that had any problem with the page was iCab, and
> since I've seen iCab have problems with numerous other pages I visit on a
> regular basis, my solution is not to use it.
> 
> For that reason, and because this is a technical issue and not in any way a
> policy issue, I don't see any reason the Board should have been bothered with
> this at all, especially since, as shown in messages you yourself posted:
> 
> From Jon Bloom

I agree completely. I've tried the site with several browsers--IE, Mozilla,
and OmniWeb and have had no problem whatsoever. I normally divide my time
between IE and Mozilla and I've never had a problem accessing the ARRL site.

I'm convinced there is no web page that can support every single browser
ever made. The best anyone can do is to shoot for a happy medium supporting
the most popular browsers and several platforms-- and good testing to make
sure that more than one browser is supported. If indeed ARRL has tested on
several platforms with several browsers, and has suggested workarounds where
they don't work, then I am perfectly satisfied with that approach.

I personally don't like Microsoft as a company, but I'm forced to use
Internet Explorer for online banking because Mozilla simply won't work. My
bank could care less about the "evil-empire" argument. As long as ARRL is
testing for multiple browsers, and testing multiple platforms, I don't think
the charge of supporters of the "evil-empire" argument should thrown at
them. 

Frankly, I'd like to see us take a more positive stand. If we don't think
ARRL is giving enough exposure to Macintosh platform in QST, or providing
software, why don't we step up to the plate by submitting articles and
showing the software we do have! Our silence is deafening! People who don't
use Macs have no idea what is available.

As for CC'ing the entire board - I don't think that was appropriate. I agree
that it was a only technical issue since it appears from the ARRL response
that they don't intend to support only a single browser -- it's not a policy
issue. Even if it was, it would be more appropriate to contact your own
director to raise the issue--not all of them.

My 2 cents....I'd prefer that flames be sent to my personal email address so
it doesn't clog the list.


-- 
Steve Muncy, NI5V       <mailto:smuncy@mac.com>
Dalllas, TX USA         <http://homepage.mac.com/smuncy/hamradio/
QRP-ARCI #10330    QRP-L #2191    FISTS #7412    QCWA #30705
ARRL Life Member