Is it just me or is it extremely lazy, irritating, and unprofessional when you get completely blocked from a website for not having a 'supported' browser. I'd understand for a banking site where browser features/support are critical for a secure connection, but for a simple company website?

Here's an example: http://www.mtd.net.au/

Trying to access the site from Firefox, it tells me:

Currently the Multie Technology Distribution site only supports Internet Explorer version 4+, Netscape 7+

I switch my User Agent to spoof IE and Netscape 7 and it renders fine. Also directly accessing this main-page link without spoofing works fine too: http://www.mtd.net.au/cgi-bin/li.cgi

So my question: are web developers like this just lazy, have an agenda, or just haven't updated their websites since Netscape 7 days (2002)?

Guess what, the world is full of morons and sometimes, they make decisions, and as a result, the rest of us suffer.

This has been illustrated throughout human history. I'm sure I don't need to give examples.

Maybe email them and say your website doesn't support firefox and to get with the times.

try this
http://extensionroom.mozdev.org/more-info/ieview

try this
http://extensionroom.mozdev.org/more-info/ieview

You've completely missed the point.

haah you're right - i read downto the quote bit then got distracted heh

But THEY see it as you just trying to be "different" by using a different browser. So why cater for the what? 5% of users out there?
I Aggree is unprofessional, and website design subjects ive done at uni have incorporated other browser functionality.

So why cater for the what? 5% of users out there?

So it's also ok for Kmart to start preventing entry to 1 out of 20 people? Same thing :)

If I want to visit a site from a browser that they couldn't be bothered supporting (their choice I GUESS), then it should be at my own risk .. I shouldn't be coldly blocked.

Also, Netscape 8 (which fits the Netscape 7+ requirement of the site) is built on the exact same codebase that Firefox is, which leads me to believe that the site is either grossly out of date or that the devs aren't clued up with the times.

(By the way, if you still want that drive, I'm home alll day.)

last edited by parabol at 15:11:39 18/Aug/05

have an agenda

I reckon you have it right there. You covered what I was going to say: Firefox is built on the codebase of Netscape. So it makes no sense to deny Firefox unless they don't want Firefox in. Companies like this s*** me.

cry more, noob

So it's also ok for Kmart to start preventing entry to 1 out of 20 people? Same thing :)

Yeah but you have a choice here....if you couldnt do anything about it then ok (ie disability and anti-discrimination) but you can change browsers easily.

Their site probably IS out of date, or they might have hired s*** web designers.
Costs a bit of money to make a new site these days, they probably cant justify the capital!

(ps i got an assignment due tommorow and an exam...plus working. Msg me on msn when ya around - tried a few times past couple of days, maybe my msn aint working properly sending to you :S)

disgruntled firefox fans unite!

ps asif you'd go to kmart anyway

Haha, they can't even spell Multi properly, what do you expect!

Yeah but you have a choice here....if you couldnt do anything about it then ok (ie disability and anti-discrimination) but you can change browsers easily.

I think all of QGL is now aware how easy sex changes are, yet there's laws against sexism

Also, unblock me fireblood :)

It'd be as if a certain game ran on all video cards except a certain one (e.g. Ti4200). Imagine the uproar. The game can run using that card, but the computers with that card can't play the game.

Also, don't be a hater Jim. For only love can conquer hate.