File Disaster Assistance Online ... Microsoft Users Only, Please

05:00 PM Sep 06, 2005

Given the way FEMA has covered itself with ignominy the past week, it's hardly a shock to find that you can't file a disaster relief claim on its web site without Windows/Internet Explorer.

Interoperability between browsers and operating systems isn't always a cinch -- as one small but occasionally nettlesome example that affects our own system, the Safari browser lacks the "hooks" necessary to operate most online WYSIWYG editors -- but sheesh.  FEMA is running a line of code on its page that essentially asks, "are you using IE?" and only delivering the page if the answer is yes.  The page works fine if you configure another browser to claim that it's Explorer.

Then again, if you're a refugee, why would you want to file at all? You probably never had it so good.

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