You might share in my shock when I found out that this free application cannot be filled out from a free operating system. When clicking the "start here" button on the FAFSA main page from a Linux based operating system you are kindly redirected to the incompatible browsers page. Just like with blackboard "supported browsers" really means "supported browsers and operating systems". The FAFSA website supports:
- Internet Explorer 6, 7, and 8
- Firefox 3.5 and 3.6
- Google Chrome 6 and 7
- Opera 10.x
"For the past few years, every major Web browser released has been built around a set of open standards designated by the World Wide Web Consortium, a non-profit organization charged with overseeing the continuing development of the Web. What this means is that one piece of code now looks the same on every modern browser, whether it be Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Opera, or others. The majority of our users are using these modern browsers, so we can present content which is optimized for them. "
While that is all fine and dandy, last I checked browsers on Linux where not any less standards compliant than those on Windows or OSX. At the end of the day I guess this is just another example of a large organization ignoring the FOSS ecosystem. I wonder how much longer it is going to be that Linux users are going to have to deal with this sort of ignorance.
~Jeff Hoogland
Thats just stupid.
ReplyDeleteFirefox is the same on all platforms.
They do it because there is no way for the government to control anything Open Source, which means that Linux is a big no no. So, even though they're saying it's about the browser, it's actually about the OS, and the fact that you're using one that they don't have their spyware in. And remember: just because I'm paranoid, that doesn't mean they're not out to get me.
ReplyDeleteI complained formally to my university and cited some legal articles about "being inclusive" vs. the segregating reality that was promoted by using blackboard.
ReplyDeleteIt's strange because my university is pretty cool about open-source. Then again, this isn't the university — this is the federal government.
ReplyDelete--
a Linux Mint user since 2009 May 1
Not sure what the problem was for your girlfriend, but I seem to be able to fill out the application on:
ReplyDeleteChrome 10.0.648.151
OpenSuSE 11.4
@Alexander:
ReplyDeleteSeriously? You don't think it may have something to do with the inability to ensure every linux user has the same environment? Also, is it uncomfortable under that tinfoil hat?
Just modify your User Agent and go about your FAFSA'ing
ReplyDeleteThis is not entirely correct. You'll get a warning that you're using an unsupported browser, but you can continue and complete the FAFSA with no problems.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely not true, at least when I did it (and the last time was four or five years ago, now). They warn you that the browser is unsupported, but it works fine - I used Linux almost exclusively in college.
ReplyDeleteNot getting an option to click past it here.
ReplyDelete~Jeff
I started school in fall of 2009, and used Ubuntu with Firefox to fill out the FAFSA. I remember the "unsupported browser" message, but filling the whole thing out worked fine that year, and again last year.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like they've changed their system recently, but I just tried starting a 2011/2012 form, and it's working just like normal.
So, yes FAFSA for FOSS users. :D
Doesn't work for me.
ReplyDeleteUbuntu 10.10
Firefox 3.6.X
Chrome 10.x
Switch you user agent string to make the site think you're on Windows (http://www.ghacks.net/2009/04/10/extend-firefoxs-user-agent-switcher/).
ReplyDeleteI have filled out FAFSA with Firefox running on Ubuntu for the past 4 years with absolutely no problems. I also access Blackboard from my Linux box. I don't remember if I had to make any modifications to do so.
ReplyDeleteI was able to complete the fafsa form on firefox running Ubuntu 10.10 64 bit.
ReplyDeleteGive The Benefit Bank a try. It works in Linux.
ReplyDeleteI tried the page using Firefox on PCLinux. I first got the unsupported browser message page. After changing the Firefox user agent to IE8, the registration page appeared without any warnings. Seems this IS about the OS, not the browser.
ReplyDeleteSince they are a US Federal website, they should really comply with Section 508 of US federal law (i.e. everyone must be able to use your product/website regardless of their ability). This would also mean someone using Lynx via a braille terminal!
ReplyDeleteNot to mention someone trying to fill out the application on a tablet/iPad.
While changing your browser string works in the short-run in the long run it will just convince people they don't need to support the third most popular desktop operating system family.
ReplyDeleteJeff, as far as I can tell the javascript that determines the browser is the following
ReplyDelete//
2/*
3 * Functions to preload/swap images
4 */
5
6// detect browser capabilities
7var capable = (document.getElementById && document.getElementsByTagName);
8var color_faa = "#CC5407";
9var color_student = "#007AA9";
10
@tracyanne, No. That code is just testing to see whether the user's browser is capable of handling the specified DOM methods. And then it sets some variables that hold color hex codes...
ReplyDeleteOk looks like a deeper dig
ReplyDeleteSwitching the user agent is the wrong approach. (Certainly use it to get what you need done right now.) Everyone has to be very vocal with each elected official representing you. It is simple to find them and email them. You will get a canned response, but they read everything. Assure them you will do everything you can to get them defeated. They know very well that in a close election, every vote counts. Of course, if it's a runaway, at least you spoke up for yourself.
ReplyDeleteIt appears that once you get past the "unsupported browser" page by setting the User Agent to IE8, you can reset the User Agent identification back to the default without problems.
ReplyDeleteAt least, so I found with IceWeasel.
More interestingly, the "good browser" list appears to be quite arbitrary, as "too old" (even 2.x) versions seem to work fine, too, once you get past the warning screen masquerading as IE8.
to Anonymous March 22, 2011 9:51 AM
ReplyDeleteThe reason it continues to work is because a cookie has been set that allows it to continue once past the initial check, remove the cookie and it will once again test your browser and find it wanting.
Jeff the following UserAgent string will work
ReplyDeleteMozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux x86_64; en-US; rv:1.9.2.6) Gecko/20100628 Ubuntu/10.04 (lucid) Firefox/3.6.6 GTB7.1
Apparently Ubuntu is a supported Operating System, It is not yet listed on the website, but I am assured that it is a supported Operating System.
This gets you into the application Form, it still displays an error message but you don't get redirected to the Incompatible Browser page.
Sorry almost forgot. Here is a list of FF useragent strings some may be more helpful than others.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.useragentstring.com/pages/Firefox/
This user agent string worked for me
ReplyDeleteMozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux x86_64; en-US; rv:1.9.2.6) Gecko/20100628 Ubuntu/10.04 (lucid) Firefox/3.6.6 GTB7.1
Ubuntu is apparently a supported Operating System. It isn't in the list, but I am assured that it is supported.
Don't change your settings. Change your leaders!
ReplyDeleteI called both of my Senators. You should too. It is not acceptable to leave a government in place that forces you (or tries to force you) to purchase proprietary products in order to have access to YOUR government!
For some strange reason my post a few minutes prior to the one at March 23, 2011 12:23 AM was deleted, it appeared then when I posted the follow it was gone.
ReplyDeleteThe official reason given for allowing only certain web browser/Operating System combinations is for Security reasons.
Apparently, or so I was told, that Browser/OS combinations are added only slowly, is because it takes time to test Browsers and Operating System combinations. The upshot of this is that neither FF 4.0 nor IE9 on Windows will work as they have not yet been tested/not yet passed testing.
I have also been informed that Ubuntu is accepted as a Operating System compatible with the FAFSA website. It is the ONLY Linux based Operating System that will access the form (I was not told if there is an arbitrary min or max version of Ubuntu). However the User Agent String I used (see my post at March 23, 2011 10:09 AM) did allow me to access the form, albeit with a incompatible browser message displayed on the page.
I was unable to proceed further, for two reasons, 1/ I am not a US citizen (and therefore do not have a US social Security Number) and 2/ I don't want to register for the student Assistance anyway.
I hope this helps. Maybe you jeff can dig a bit deeper,and contact the right people, or get an organisation like the Linux Foundation to interceed on behalf of Linux users, as while this reason for blocking operating systems like Linux, while allowing Windows, is clearly ridiculous, I do believe it is a genuine reason, and there is no grand conspiracy.
tracyanne - for some reason blogger was flagging your longer posts as spam. I just personally removed all your shorter posts so there wouldn't be piles of duplicates.
ReplyDeleteI have no doubt that it is purely ignorance and not some conspiracy that is keeping Linux from accessing that page - at the same time it does need to be resolved. I live state side and would love to do some digging, who did you contact to get the information you did?
Thanks for rustling that up & reading,
~Jeff
Jeff I spent some time using the online help. Basically I just kept at it until I came across a person who responded in a non robotic manner to my questions (which I honed along the way). This man then volunteered that Ubuntu is his the list of approved operating systems, but is not yet on the compatible Browsers/Operating Systems page.
ReplyDeleteI was not able to go higher. Several of the Help desk people insisted I phone the help line and talk to some one. But what this really needs is an expose or some sort of pressure/assistance from a recognised/respected (by them) source.
They appear to have a strange notion of security.
At least now there is no need for Linux users to identify their Browser as a windows based Browser. By using a UserAgent string that identifies the Browser/OS as FF on Ubuntu at least now they get to see Linux users accessing the site. It's not perfect but it's a start.
ReplyDeleteI have found out that the person responsible for this setting is Victor Woodhouse. Please write him a Snail-Mail letter explaining how wrong it is to attempt to force people to purchase a proprietary product in order to have access to their OWN government:
ReplyDeleteFSAIC
Attn: Victor Woodhouse
PO BOX 84
Washington DC 20044
There's been an open source government initiative for some years now and all Government websites should be standard compliant and accessible via open source systems.
ReplyDeleteThis should not happen. I've been using exclusively Linux for many years now and this is the first time I encounter this situation.
How can we raise this issue?
I was not able to access using the Ubuntu netbook OS and the user agent. Gotta go visit a friend with a mac or win system - I like what was said earlier don't redo your settings replace your leaders(often).
ReplyDeleteIts bad to know that a student who needs the fafsa benefits could fulfill the fafsa application due to OS limitation,this information would help the further require fafsa.There is a good fafsa questions for the people who organize the fafsa forms.
ReplyDelete