[lug] IP: FCC forces Ham radio operators to use Windows (fwd from: dave at farber.net)

[Neal McBurnett]

On Mon, Apr 01, 2002 at 05:56:04PM -0700, Nate Duehr wrote:
> Ah... found it.  In the ULS online pages for initial registration there's
> an error message "This plugin only runs on Win95/NT."  So it's a plugin
> thing.  And the pages for updates don't appear to use the plugin.
> 
> There's probably a proper plugin for Linux out there, and it just needs to
> be loaded... I'm not going to mess with it... but I am grumpy about the
> issue ...

Well I searched for a bit and didn't find a "initial registration"
page, nor an error message.

Could someone supply a URL for the offending page?  Knowing what the
plugin is would help a lot....


In the meantime, for those interested in Section 508 of the
Rehabilitation Act, §1194.22 - below are some references and excerpts.
It certainly goes a long way to helping promote interoperability
as well as accessibility.

They don't seem to have any discussion of the fact that many
plugins require certain versions of Windows, to say nothing
of not being available for Linux et.al.  But the commentary from a
the governments "access board" does say that:

 If a browser does not support [scripts or plug-ins with the
 required features for accessibility], however, paragraphs (l)
 and (m) require that some other method of working with the web page
 must be provided.

Cheers,

Neal McBurnett <neal at bcn.boulder.co.us>
http://bcn.boulder.co.us/~neal/
GPG/PGP signed and/or sealed mail encouraged.  Keyid: 2C9EBA60

http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/508standards.htm

 Section 508 requires that when Federal agencies develop, procure,
 maintain, or use electronic and information technology, they shall
 ensure that the electronic and information technology allows Federal
 employees with disabilities to have access to and use of information
 and data that is comparable to the access to and use of information
 and data by Federal employees who are not individuals with
 disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the
 agency.

 Section 508 also requires that individuals with disabilities,
 who are members of the public seeking information or services from a
 Federal agency, have access to and use of information and data that
 is comparable to that provided to the public who are not individuals
 with disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the
 agency.

 ....

 Comment. Adobe Systems expressed concern that completing some forms
 requires a script or plug-in and interpreted the proposed rule as
 prohibiting such items. They pointed out that there are other methods
 of completing a form that would not require scripts or plug-ins, but
 those methods require the constant transfer of information between
 the client and server computers. Adobe noted that that method can be
 extremely inefficient and can pose a security risk for the
 individual's personal data.

 Response. This provision does not forbid the use of scripts or
 plug-ins and many of the existing products support these features. If
 a browser does not support these features, however, paragraphs (l)
 and (m) require that some other method of working with the web page
 must be provided. As assistive technologies advance, it is
 anticipated that the occasions when the use of scripts and plug-ins
 are not supported will diminish significantly.



Software Applications and Operating Systems (1194.21)
  http://www.section508.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Content&ID=12#Software

 1194.22 (m) When a web page requires that an applet, plug-in or other
 application be present on the client system to interpret page
 content, the page must provide a link to a plug-in or applet that
 complies with §1194.21(a) through (l).

 1194.21 (l) When electronic forms are used, the form shall allow people using
 assistive technology to access the information, field elements, and
 functionality required for completion and submission of the form,
 including all directions and cues.