A browser does a lot more than simply render HTML pages. For example, in the case of a bank's Web site the browser must also support the security protocol (if you watch the urls you'll see that on your banking site the prefix will be "https://"; instead of plain "http://"; That "s" at the end of the http indicates secure http).
So when you're building a Web site like this you have to check that a browser does stuff like: 1. Render the HTML properly (tables, colors, styles, graphics, etc.) 2. Handles the security protocols properly (displays appropriate warning messages, displays the little "locked" icon, etc.) 3. Transmits cookie and session info properly (that's how the bank computer makes sure it sends the right account info back to the right computer) You also have to test that the log out process correctly deletes the cookies you expect it to delete. This isn't always the case--a browser may have a bug in how it handles cookie expiration and deleting. So you have to test that all these bits of the browser work with your Web application. It's simply not humanly possible to test all the parameters against all the possible browsers out there. Take Internet Explorer as an example--you have to test at least three versions: IE 5.5, IE 6 without Service Pack 2, and IE 6 with Service Pack 2. Later this summer there will be an IE 7 to add to that mix. Then there's at least a couple Netscape and Firefox/Mozilla versions you should test against, with the added complexity of testing on multiple platforms (Firefox on the Mac behaves a bit differently than Firefox on the PC). It's just too much to test every browser--you test as many as you can and then everybody else is "unsupported". The other browsers might in fact still work with the site but it's unofficial support, it's not tested and verified to work with those other browsers. --- Rex. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:owner-macgroup at erdos.math.louisville.edu] On Behalf Of Marta Edie Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2005 9:21 AM To: macgroup at erdos.math.louisville.edu Subject: Re: MacGroup: Safari Emulation I had never any trouble with a number of banks here in Loisville, also with certain websites that actually tell you they do not support Safari. I did have issues with BBT bank at first, telling me my browser did not work on their website, but somehow the webmaster or whoever emailed me and asked me to click on continue anyhow, then a second log-in got me in.That extra log-in and warning has recently disappeared and one gets right in with the first and only click. I don't understand all this, but my question : if a browser is not supported, what does it do to me the user? In fact, what does "support" mean anyhow in this circumstance and what do these companies actually test in a browser to give their "Amen" to the one or ones they will allow you to use? ( Testing matrix?) Marta To array a man's will against his sickness is the supreme art of medicine. -Henry Ward Beecher, preacher and writer (1813-1887) On Jun 21, 2005, at 8:50, Rex Baldazo wrote: > I hate to side with a bank but I've been in their shoes and I > understand their position. The testing matrix to support two browsers > is large enough--the resources to test every darned browser would be > too much for any organization. You have to pick which ones you > support, generally the ones with the largest market share. If other > browsers are close enough that they can work that's fine but they're > unsupported. > > I helped build our upload.com site which does a lot of the security > and https stuff that a bank site would do--it was so difficult because > we had to test on different versions of IE and Netscape and on Linux, > Mac, and Windows. I cannot imagine if we'd had to add more browsers > into the testing matrix (Safari, Opera, etc.). > > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-macgroup at erdos.math.louisville.edu > [mailto:owner-macgroup at erdos.math.louisville.edu] On Behalf Of Michael > Robertson > Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2005 6:20 AM > To: macgroup at erdos.math.louisville.edu > Subject: Re: MacGroup: Safari Emulation > > John, > I have had accounts with National City and Chase, do online bill pay > and transfer funds to my kids accounts, and have had no problems with > Safari doing this. > Good luck. Mike Robertson > On Jun 21, 2005, at 12:16 AM, John Robinson wrote: > >> Thanks to all, and Jerry, you are so right. I fully intend to let >> them know how I feel about their support, I have three personal >> accounts and my business account. I will move them all if they make >> it difficult. I should NOT have to emulate any other browser, and >> they will soon know this. >> >> John R. >> >> >> On Jun 20, 2005, at 11:08 PM, Jerry Yeager wrote: >> >>> If you don't like using Terminal to muck around with the setting, >>> then pop over to version tracker and get Safari Enhancer: >>> >>> http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/17776 >>> >>> This allows you to turn on the Debug menu in Safari. Once it is >>> turned on, use it to change the User Agent to one that this bank >>> will > >>> support. >>> >>> Personally though, I would send them an extremely strongly worded >>> letter pointing out that their reaction to your request has the >>> marks > >>> of some very poor customer relations. Not to mention requiring IE >>> puts your money in the account in serious jeopardy since IE is so >>> bad > >>> at security that the Department of Homeland Security tells computer >>> users to use a different browser (uh, you do not need to mention >>> that > >>> your are running a Mac OS). Also point out that many other banks >>> doing business in this local area have absolutely no problems >>> allowing customers to use Safari. Perhaps your money would be safer >>> with them. >>> >>> Jerry >>> >>> >>> On Jun 20, 2005, at 10:39 PM, Profile wrote: >>> >>>> Help is more than appreciated! >>>> >>>> Is there a way? >>>> >>>> My bank will not allow me to establish an electronic account with >>>> them unless I use Internet Explorer, or Netscape. I have written >>>> to > >>>> them concerning Safari, their reply was a simple NO. >>>> >>>> It wouldn't bother me to change banks, I may do so even if someone >>>> out there suggest a workaround (other than using one of the >>>> browsers > >>>> they suggest, I feel Apple's products should have support). >>>> >>>> I recall there may have been a way to get Safari to emulate another >>>> browser, but I have looked everywhere and I just can't find where >>>> to > >>>> turn this feature on, if it exist. >>>> >>>> I am running OS X 10.3.9. Any help would be appreciated. >>>> >>>> John Robinson >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> | The next meeting of the Louisville Computer Society will be July >>>> | 26. The LCS Web page is <http://www.kymac.org>. >>>> | List posting address: <mailto:macgroup at erdos.math.louisville.edu> >>>> | List Web page: <http://erdos.math.louisville.edu/macgroup> >>>> >>>> >>> ----------------------------------- >>> Someday, I will come up with a clever signature line. I am not sure >>> if I will use it or not, but I will come up with one. >>> >>> >>> >>> | The next meeting of the Louisville Computer Society will be July >>> | 26. The LCS Web page is <http://www.kymac.org>. >>> | List posting address: <mailto:macgroup at erdos.math.louisville.edu> >>> | List Web page: <http://erdos.math.louisville.edu/macgroup> >>> >> >> >> >> | The next meeting of the Louisville Computer Society will be July 26. > >> | The LCS Web page is <http://www.kymac.org>. >> | List posting address: <mailto:macgroup at erdos.math.louisville.edu> >> | List Web page: <http://erdos.math.louisville.edu/macgroup> > > > > | The next meeting of the Louisville Computer Society will be July 26. > | The LCS Web page is <http://www.kymac.org>. > | List posting address: <mailto:macgroup at erdos.math.louisville.edu> > | List Web page: <http://erdos.math.louisville.edu/macgroup> > > > > | The next meeting of the Louisville Computer Society will be July 26. > | The LCS Web page is <http://www.kymac.org>. > | List posting address: <mailto:macgroup at erdos.math.louisville.edu> > | List Web page: <http://erdos.math.louisville.edu/macgroup> | The next meeting of the Louisville Computer Society will be July 26. | The LCS Web page is <http://www.kymac.org>. | List posting address: <mailto:macgroup at erdos.math.louisville.edu> | List Web page: <http://erdos.math.louisville.edu/macgroup> | The next meeting of the Louisville Computer Society will | be July 26. The LCS Web page is <http://www.kymac.org>. | List posting address: <mailto:macgroup at erdos.math.louisville.edu> | List Web page: <http://erdos.math.louisville.edu/macgroup>
