Mike, Ahoy, mate! You make some valid points for U.S. companies to internationalize their sites. I would submit that the use of U.S. social security numbers on the HP site was a moronic decision by someone in management and not just a bad implementation by some site designer. I really can't think of *any* web site that would need to ask for a social security number. It isn't supposed to be used as a means of identification. The only entities that should require it are the employer (if it's a U.S. company) and the Internal Revenue Service...and I can't envision where supplying it would need to be done through a web site (ok, maybe a tax site that let's someone input their tax info online and file it electronically would be the exception). If any web site asks me for a social security number, I'm outta there.
That was a really stupid decision on someone's part at HP, especially for something as benign as downloading a printer driver. Ludicrous. Cheers, Chris Montgomery [EMAIL PROTECTED] Airtight Web Services Web Development, Web Project Management, Software Sales Macromedia Sales & Consulting Partner 210-490-3249/888-745-7603 Fax 210-490-3249 > -----Original Message----- > From: Mike Kear [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: Saturday, March 30, 2002 9:54 AM > To: CF-Talk > Subject: RE: Internationalization > > > I know you're thinking about technical things, but there are some common > errors you can easily make, and a huge number of American companies make > them .... <snip> > (8) I once tried to download some software from a major international > company (who will remain nameless but recently announced a merger with > Compaq) where the registration form had a compulsory field that required a > social security number for pete's sake. The product was a > printer driver - > not a US specific piece of software, but for general release around the > world. The moron who designed that page hadn't thought for a moment that > there might just be people in the world who didn't have US social security > numbers. (Like for example ALL of the non-US residents!!) I had to make > up a social security number, and tinker around with numbers until > I invented > one the form liked. I also had to invent an address because it had a 5 > character compulsory zip code so I just took an address from a > company's ad > in a magazine. <snip> ______________________________________________________________________ This list and all House of Fusion resources hosted by CFHosting.com. The place for dependable ColdFusion Hosting. FAQ: http://www.thenetprofits.co.uk/coldfusion/faq Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/index.cfm?sidebar=lists
