>Jerry,
>
>>For example, when you HAVE to use IE to browse most website because propriatary XML, Kerberos and other technology make non MS browsers non-functional. I saw that Britian has made a government website, that it will require it citizens to access for certain government business, IE dependent. Other browsers are rejected. You can't run IE on other platforms, so what are Brition to do.
>
>I really have to address this point separately, because it is a good example of an anti-MSFT article on Slashdot which ignores the facts.
>
>The Slashdot article is at http://slashdot.org/articles/01/05/29/2058238.shtml
>
>The government site is at http://www.gateway.gov.uk/
>
>Firstly, you say "that it will require its citizens to access for certain government business" - there is no requirement in the UK to carry out any government business over the internet. I have no idea where you got that from.

From posting by Britons, but apparently not Scottsmen. ;)
>
>Secondly, the site in question uses digital certificates - as some apparently don't support this, those browsers cannot be used to access parts of the site.
>
>You can see the list of requirements by clicking on the link to "What do I need before I can register?" on the gov web site.

"Please note that you cannot currently use Netscape 6 to access the Government Gateway, due to issues with the support for digital certificates in this new version. A PC, with Windows 95 or later, or Windows NT 4.0 or later with Microsoft Internet Explorer version 4.01 or later or Netscape Navigator version 4.08 or later OR an Apple Macintosh with Mac OS version 7.5 or later with Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5.0 or later or Netscape Navigator version 4.xx or later a working Internet connection the 128-bit security add-in, for your version of the browser"

Matt, I got the above msg with NetScape 4.76 with Java and Java Scripts enabled. Konqueror didn't work for me, neither did Kruiser.

And, I haven't heard of anyone running Linux and using Netscape, Konqueror, or Opera being able to get a digitial certificate. Apparently they, too, require a more MS compliant browser. It's ticking off a lot of folks over there.




>
>Best.
>
>Matt.