Following my policy of naming and attempting to shame educational
websites which are required yet suck (previously I complained about
applyyourself: http://ann.hates-software.com/2006/10/01/e37116e6.html),
I would like to express my utter contempt for https://dlenote.ed.gov,
a website which allows students to sign a Master Promissory Note which
in turn enables you to accept a loan.
This is a government website, and as such, I feel that they should be
bound to adhere to standards of accessibility instead of targeting their
site at specific browsers.
I'm used to just ignoring these so-called 'requirements'. In this case,
you are entitled to a choice of two operating systems: Windows and
Mac. You're allowed two browsers: IE 5.x and Navigator 4.x. You must
also have Acrobat Reader 4.0 or 5.0. Well, I'm not going to install
Navigator (does anyone use it?), and I'm sure as hell not going to
install IE, nor will I install Acrobat Reader.
No worries, right? I can view the site, if I disable the popup blocker
and enable plugins. Sure I can.
But what's this in step 2? To proceed further, I must click on a checkbox
which says "I agree to use an electronic MPN and have the required
hardware and software. (Your response will be record and made part of
your completed MPN.)"
The MPN is a legal document. So I can't agree to this condition because
it isn't true.
Luckily, there's an alternative--it's called the paper form.
Welcome to the modern era, where technology is enabling us and stupid
management decisions are disabling us.
