Need Disaster Help from FEMA?  Hope You’re Using Internet Explorer…

FEMA’s online registration site for victims of Hurricane Katrina is browser specific, throwing another completely unneeded wrench into an already dismal situation for Katrina survivors.  Users of other browsers are greeted by this cheerful message upon trying to login:

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.

Fantastic.  Actually, wait, no.  It’s not.  It’s simple to fix and sheer laziness on the part of whoever threw the site up.  It’s not acceptable, seeing as people may not have access or time to download and install a new browser, for one.  Additionally, why make things harder for people who’ve already had it pretty darn hard (and that’s an understatement) to begin with, but that’s just the beginning.  In an article from Ars Technica:

Something so minor has become a considerable problem for relief workers, who are attempting to setup as many kiosks as possible for refugees. Workers on the ground have told Ars Technica that they would prefer to avoid setting up Windows XP workstations because they take longer to setup, and even longer to properly patch and configure for use.

XP hardware requirements, while not impressive by today’s standards, rule out using some donated hardware as well. Furthermore, legitimate copies of Windows also cost money, and relief workers are trying to stretch their dollars as far as they can go.

The last thing we really need in a disaster situation is the need for licensing copies of Windows at a high price, software that won’t work on the donated hardware, viruses, security problems, and people waiting for Windows to install (which, on my uber-slick hand-built PC, took three hours and then another hour and a half to patch and update everything).  On donated hardware, probably not top-of-the-line brand new stuff like mine…  I don’t even want to think of how long it could take.

Nice move, FEMA.  Fix it.  This is not acceptable.

Read More |  ArsTechnica