On 2022-06-06, 25.BX945 <25BZ495@nada.net> wrote:
> "What do you do when they let you go home,
> and the plastic's all melted and the chrome
> is too soft ? ..." :-)

What will you do if the people you knew
Were the plastic that melted,
And the chromium too?
Who are the Brain Police? ;-)

--
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Covid vaccines: experimental biology -- https://tinyurl.com/57mncfm5
The fraud of "Climate Change" -- https://RealClimateScience.com
There is no "climate crisis" -- https://climatedepot.com
Don't talk to cops! -- https://DontTalkToCops.com
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On 06/06/2022 01:14, 25.BX945 wrote:
> I too have an XP VM "just in case" .
.....my online bank software refuses to accept Linux plus latest firefox.
Apparently 20 year old XP is however fine.

--
Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's
too dark to read.

Groucho Marx

On Mon, 6 Jun 2022 10:29:07 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
> On 06/06/2022 01:14, 25.BX945 wrote:
>> I too have an XP VM "just in case" .
> ....my online bank software refuses to accept Linux plus latest firefox.
> Apparently 20 year old XP is however fine.

Sounds like you need to change banks.

Who is your bank?

I would create a business reason for supporting linux firefox by getting
stats from https://distrowatch.com/ and maybe someone at firefox can help
you to ask the bank why they are ignoring x,xxxs amount of a possible
customer base.

He,he, maybe firefox crew has a canned response message you can use to improve
your case. If not suggest they create one for your.

Bring up the fact that the bank pays good money for the website design
and why does it not support linux firefox.

As for accepting XP, A smart banks will not accept connections from any
browser that is a few versions out of date if they cared about customer
security.

I get the latest firefox release each month or so and my bank forces me
through 2 factor authorization each time I change it. It calls me with an
eight digit code I have to enter to complete the login.

Suggest that they check with their legal team about their possible liability.
Shoot a message to the Better Business Bureau or whatever is the same thing
in your part of the country.

Heheh, suggest that maybe the local news could/would use a story about online
safety with the bank as an example of insecurity.

Then send it to each of the bank's VPs and anyone else found on the Contact
link. I bet Marketing/Sales would like a heads up.

I would recommend changing banks. I use Chase and have set my account to
shoot me an email about changes to checking/savings/credit charges.

If not going to change banks, you could experiment this addons which
can change/fake what browser is being used. You might find search engine
results on how to do it without a addon.

Bit Twister <BitTwister@mouse-potato.com> writes:
> On Mon, 6 Jun 2022 10:29:07 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>> On 06/06/2022 01:14, 25.BX945 wrote:
>>> I too have an XP VM "just in case" .
>> ....my online bank software refuses to accept Linux plus latest firefox.
>> Apparently 20 year old XP is however fine.
>
> Sounds like you need to change banks.

Partially agreed - there are quite a few banking options in this
country, it’s not worth remaining stuck to one of the crapper ones.
OTOH changing primary current account is pretty disruptive...

> Who is your bank?
>
> I would create a business reason for supporting linux firefox by getting
> stats from https://distrowatch.com/ and maybe someone at firefox can help
> you to ask the bank why they are ignoring x,xxxs amount of a possible
> customer base.

Desktop Linux is largely irrelevant as a consumer OS (Android & server
are another matter).

--
https://www.greenend.org.uk/rjk/

On Mon, 6 Jun 2022 06:37:12 -0500, Bit Twister wrote:
> On Mon, 6 Jun 2022 10:29:07 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>> On 06/06/2022 01:14, 25.BX945 wrote:
>>> I too have an XP VM "just in case" .
>> ....my online bank software refuses to accept Linux plus latest firefox.
>> Apparently 20 year old XP is however fine.

That would make me a bit nervous wondering just how safe is the web page.

Easy workaround is getting your User Agent name changed to what is
accepted.

You can use http://browserspy.dk/ to view any changes you make.

I find it convent to put most of my setting/changes in a user.ps file
and place a link in the firefox directory that keeps the configuration file.

To find that location I do a
locate /prefs.js
and ln -sf my_firefox_prefs.js /home/xxx/wherever_default/user.js
to add my changes.

On 06/06/2022 12:37, Bit Twister wrote:
> On Mon, 6 Jun 2022 10:29:07 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>> On 06/06/2022 01:14, 25.BX945 wrote:
>>> I too have an XP VM "just in case" .
>> ....my online bank software refuses to accept Linux plus latest firefox.
>> Apparently 20 year old XP is however fine.
>
>
> Sounds like you need to change banks.
>
> Who is your bank?
>
Barclays.
I reported the bugs, they fixed one, they didn't fix another, they made
a mess of doing share transfers. I closed my sharehilder account with
them., Completely zero support. Website full of dreamy pastel images of
multiracial same sex couples investing their money probably in junk bonds.

> I would create a business reason for supporting linux firefox by getting
> stats from https://distrowatch.com/ and maybe someone at firefox can help
> you to ask the bank why they are ignoring x,xxxs amount of a possible
> customer base.
>
I just left.
I still have my current account with them. It has just enough in it to
pay mointhly bills.

> He,he, maybe firefox crew has a canned response message you can use to improve
> your case. If not suggest they create one for your.
>
> Bring up the fact that the bank pays good money for the website design
> and why does it not support linux firefox.
>
It doesnt support *Linux*. But you are naive. The bank didn't write the
software - it handed the job over to some 'creative web design' house'
that specialises in the above dreamy images and the underlying code is
an after thought, done by probably YATP (yet another third party ) via a
'framework' that insulates everyone from HTML and does it all in
javascript high level calls.

At some point that javascript invokes the operating system, to ask if
its Windows, OS/X Android or IOS. And he browser is beyond a certain
level. If the answer to the first part is 'no' it says 'your browser is
not supported' and throws you out.

It doesn't even use the user agent string, somehow it detects the OS as
no linux browser worked.

It has said for the last seven years that I have tow messages waiting,
When I click on the alarm bell icon it says 'you have no messages'

In the end it is easier to leave the bank than to get the software
issues fixed. So as far as stockbroking, I did.

Originally I was with Charles Schwab, but Barclays bought them and then
they simply had to 'integrate' the really good Schwab platform with
their retail banking website. In the process they ruined it.

> As for accepting XP, A smart banks will not accept connections from any
> browser that is a few versions out of date if they cared about customer
> security.
>

Precisely.This howover rejects *Linux*. There was one praticular
sequence that got me where I wanted to go, but if I didn't follow that
exact sequence it threw me out. Then they broke that too, that and
messing me around in terms of stock transfers and having absolutely zero
customer support 'I am afraid that we do not have direct contact with
the transfer team' WTF????
Even then it took nearly 3 months to transfer to a new firm.
Incompetence piled on arrogance piled on indifference.

> I get the latest firefox release each month or so and my bank forces me
> through 2 factor authorization each time I change it. It calls me with an
> eight digit code I have to enter to complete the login.
>
> Suggest that they check with their legal team about their possible liability.
> Shoot a message to the Better Business Bureau or whatever is the same thing
> in your part of the country.
>
> Heheh, suggest that maybe the local news could/would use a story about online
> safety with the bank as an example of insecurity.
>
> Then send it to each of the bank's VPs and anyone else found on the Contact
> link. I bet Marketing/Sales would like a heads up.
>
> I would recommend changing banks. I use Chase and have set my account to
> shoot me an email about changes to checking/savings/credit charges.
>
> If not going to change banks, you could experiment this addons which
> can change/fake what browser is being used. You might find search engine
> results on how to do it without a addon.
>
Tried all that. No dice.

In the end life is too short. I have once simple message for you all,
Barclays are Bastards, they don't give a flying fuck about anything
except their bottom line. And they want their customer base to consist
of morons with android and IOS phones, who haven't a clue about
investment, but want to dabble and lose money.

Fair enough, But I am not that customer.

I would change my current account as well, but all the high street banks
are the same.

I have a business account with HSBC. They wanted me to jump through
hoops to describe this and that about my little company which virtually
doesn't trade any more. In the end they said if I couldn't provide them
with this and that they would close my account. I emptied it and said
'please close my account'. They wouldn't even let me do *that* without
filling in another 50 online forms. Eventually they said that I had
'passed their security tests'. Yeah, right.

A friend of mine keeps his money in gold coins. In the end it makes sense.

>
>

--
"The great thing about Glasgow is that if there's a nuclear attack it'll
look exactly the same afterwards."

Billy Connolly

On 06/06/2022 13:45, Richard Kettlewell wrote:
> Bit Twister <BitTwister@mouse-potato.com> writes:
>> On Mon, 6 Jun 2022 10:29:07 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>>> On 06/06/2022 01:14, 25.BX945 wrote:
>>>> I too have an XP VM "just in case" .
>>> ....my online bank software refuses to accept Linux plus latest firefox.
>>> Apparently 20 year old XP is however fine.
>>
>> Sounds like you need to change banks.
>
> Partially agreed - there are quite a few banking options in this
> country, it’s not worth remaining stuck to one of the crapper ones.
> OTOH changing primary current account is pretty disruptive...
>
>> Who is your bank?
>>
>> I would create a business reason for supporting linux firefox by getting
>> stats from https://distrowatch.com/ and maybe someone at firefox can help
>> you to ask the bank why they are ignoring x,xxxs amount of a possible
>> customer base.
>
> Desktop Linux is largely irrelevant as a consumer OS (Android & server
> are another matter).
>
Well yes, except that there is no reason to actually somehow detect it
and discriminate against it.
AI said its a pure web based app, the same browser on windows worked,
but not on linux. It simply failed some test and ended up with a fall
through to 'your browser is out of date, fuck off' message. I dont
understand how they knew it wasn't Windows or Mac OS/X cos I tried
faking user agent strings....It took real genius to actually detect the
OS and fail.

--
"And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch".

Gospel of St. Mathew 15:14

On 06/06/2022 14:40, Bit Twister wrote:
> On Mon, 6 Jun 2022 06:37:12 -0500, Bit Twister wrote:
>> On Mon, 6 Jun 2022 10:29:07 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>>> On 06/06/2022 01:14, 25.BX945 wrote:
>>>> I too have an XP VM "just in case" .
>>> ....my online bank software refuses to accept Linux plus latest firefox.
>>> Apparently 20 year old XP is however fine.
>
> That would make me a bit nervous wondering just how safe is the web page.
>
> Easy workaround is getting your User Agent name changed to what is
> accepted.
>

Didn't work mate. They were using some form of javascript OS detection
probably written by a script kiddy who left the firm that sold the
'framework' to the advertising firm that created the pretty pastel
website for the IT new broom who destroyed the working website they
inherited from Schwab.

That Jack built.

--
“The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to
fill the world with fools.”

Herbert Spencer

On Mon, 6 Jun 2022 18:03:55 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
> On 06/06/2022 12:37, Bit Twister wrote:
>> On Mon, 6 Jun 2022 10:29:07 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>>> On 06/06/2022 01:14, 25.BX945 wrote:
>>>> I too have an XP VM "just in case" .
>>> ....my online bank software refuses to accept Linux plus latest firefox.
>>> Apparently 20 year old XP is however fine.
>>
>>
>> Sounds like you need to change banks.
>>
>> Who is your bank?
>>
> Barclays.

Quick Barclays firefox got me a few hits in google search engine. Thought
the Barclays Bank | Firefox Support Forum was interesting.

Next link Updating your web browser - Barclays
gave me Barclays web page indicating they support Linux Firefox.

LOL.

On 2022-06-06, Bit Twister <BitTwister@mouse-potato.com> wrote:

> On Mon, 6 Jun 2022 10:29:07 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>
>> On 06/06/2022 01:14, 25.BX945 wrote:
>>
>>> I too have an XP VM "just in case" .
>>
>> ....my online bank software refuses to accept Linux plus latest firefox.
>> Apparently 20 year old XP is however fine.
>
> Sounds like you need to change banks.

Either that or file a class-action lawsuit charging digital racism.

--
/~\ Charlie Gibbs | Microsoft is a dictatorship.
\ / <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> | Apple is a cult.
X I'm really at ac.dekanfrus | Linux is anarchy.
/ \ if you read it the right way. | Pick your poison.

On 6/6/22 9:40 AM, Bit Twister wrote:
> On Mon, 6 Jun 2022 06:37:12 -0500, Bit Twister wrote:
>> On Mon, 6 Jun 2022 10:29:07 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>>> On 06/06/2022 01:14, 25.BX945 wrote:
>>>> I too have an XP VM "just in case" .
>>> ....my online bank software refuses to accept Linux plus latest firefox.
>>> Apparently 20 year old XP is however fine.
>
> That would make me a bit nervous wondering just how safe is the web page.

Just "a bit" ??? :-)

> Easy workaround is getting your User Agent name changed to what is
> accepted.

Well, not THAT easy ...

> You can use http://browserspy.dk/ to view any changes you make.
>
> I find it convent to put most of my setting/changes in a user.ps file
> and place a link in the firefox directory that keeps the configuration file.
>
> To find that location I do a
> locate /prefs.js
> and ln -sf my_firefox_prefs.js /home/xxx/wherever_default/user.js
> to add my changes.

MANY institutions now presume ONLY Winders exists - and
to some degree Mac. If you don't fit their mold they won't
do business with you. SO much easier to pry and spy if
you're using Winders after all ........

I'd suggest a different bank - and TELL them, after, why
you switched.

On 6/6/22 1:11 PM, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
> On 06/06/2022 14:40, Bit Twister wrote:
>> On Mon, 6 Jun 2022 06:37:12 -0500, Bit Twister wrote:
>>> On Mon, 6 Jun 2022 10:29:07 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>>>> On 06/06/2022 01:14, 25.BX945 wrote:
>>>>> I too have an XP VM "just in case" .
>>>> ....my online bank software refuses to accept Linux plus latest
>>>> firefox.
>>>> Apparently 20 year old XP is however fine.
>>
>> That would make me a bit nervous wondering just how safe is the web page.
>>
>> Easy workaround is getting your User Agent name changed to what is
>> accepted.
>>
>
> Didn't work mate. They were using some form of javascript OS detection
> probably written by a script kiddy who left the firm that sold the
> 'framework' to the advertising firm that created the pretty pastel
> website for the IT new broom who destroyed the working website they
> inherited from Schwab.
>
> That Jack built.

I'm sure there's a way to fake-out the JS detector ... but
there soon comes a point where it's just easier to DUMP
the bank and find a more enlightened one.

Send a letter AFTER, explaining.

On 6/6/22 1:03 PM, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
> On 06/06/2022 12:37, Bit Twister wrote:
>> On Mon, 6 Jun 2022 10:29:07 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>>> On 06/06/2022 01:14, 25.BX945 wrote:
>>>> I too have an XP VM "just in case" .
>>> ....my online bank software refuses to accept Linux plus latest firefox.
>>> Apparently 20 year old XP is however fine.
>>
>>
>> Sounds like you need to change banks.
>>
>> Who is your bank?
>>
> Barclays.
> I reported the bugs, they fixed one, they didn't fix another, they made
> a mess of doing share transfers. I closed my sharehilder account with
> them., Completely zero support. Website full of dreamy pastel images of
> multiracial same sex couples investing their money probably in junk bonds.

Enough reason right there to DUMP them.

The new mantra is "Go Woke - Go BROKE" - make it real.

On 6/6/22 1:07 PM, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
> On 06/06/2022 13:45, Richard Kettlewell wrote:
>> Bit Twister <BitTwister@mouse-potato.com> writes:
>>> On Mon, 6 Jun 2022 10:29:07 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>>>> On 06/06/2022 01:14, 25.BX945 wrote:
>>>>> I too have an XP VM "just in case" .
>>>> ....my online bank software refuses to accept Linux plus latest
>>>> firefox.
>>>> Apparently 20 year old XP is however fine.
>>>
>>> Sounds like you need to change banks.
>>
>> Partially agreed - there are quite a few banking options in this
>> country, it’s not worth remaining stuck to one of the crapper ones.
>> OTOH changing primary current account is pretty disruptive...
>>
>>> Who is your bank?
>>>
>>> I would create a business reason for supporting linux firefox by getting
>>> stats from https://distrowatch.com/ and maybe someone at firefox can
>>> help
>>> you to ask the bank why they are ignoring x,xxxs amount of a possible
>>> customer base.
>>
>> Desktop Linux is largely irrelevant as a consumer OS (Android & server
>> are another matter).
>>
> Well yes, except that there is no reason to actually somehow detect it
> and discriminate against it.

Yes there is. MS/Apple will give 'em a discount/perks ...

On 6/5/22 11:44 PM, Roger Blake wrote:
> On 2022-06-06, 25.BX945 <25BZ495@nada.net> wrote:
>> "What do you do when they let you go home,
>> and the plastic's all melted and the chrome
>> is too soft ? ..." :-)
>
> What will you do if the people you knew
> Were the plastic that melted,
> And the chromium too?
> Who are the Brain Police? ;-)

Ah ha - a cultured individual :-)

19th century, Sam Clemens. 20th century, FZ and
George Carlin. Best BULLSHIT detectors on the
planet.

And the answer, which was a question ... ESPECIALLY,
rather SUDDENLY, relevant now ......

(Psst ... Servilan is still looking for you)

On 6/1/22 11:34 AM, Dan Espen wrote:
> Pastor Pentium <kodak@leica.com> writes:
>
>> Ubuntu 22.04 has lost me for good now, since they hardwired snap into
>> it. You can remove this cancer, but a number of applications have no
>> deb file!
>> I use linux because I won't fine-grained control, install things with
>> yum/apt/zypper.
>> Stop fixing shit that ain't broke!
>
> Another stupid most by some malcontent trying to stir people up.
> Stop complaining about things that have zero effect on you.
> You sound like an idiot.
>
> Fedora supports snaps. I don't use it, but I can if I want to.
> I fail to see a problem.

Another snap/flat suck-up. Vlad loves you.

I *was* gonna upgrade a bunch of boxes to US-22.04, but
now I won't. Straight Debian from now on. Indeed Devuan
is beginning to look attractive .............. systemd
has some uses, but some downsides as well. Ever closer
to Win Registry IMHO .......

On 2022-06-07, 25.BX945 <25BZ495@nada.net> wrote:
> On 6/1/22 11:34 AM, Dan Espen wrote:
>> Pastor Pentium <kodak@leica.com> writes:
>>
>>> Ubuntu 22.04 has lost me for good now, since they hardwired snap into
>>> it. You can remove this cancer, but a number of applications have no
>>> deb file!
>>> I use linux because I won't fine-grained control, install things with
>>> yum/apt/zypper.
>>> Stop fixing shit that ain't broke!
>>
>> Another stupid most by some malcontent trying to stir people up.
>> Stop complaining about things that have zero effect on you.
>> You sound like an idiot.
>>
>> Fedora supports snaps. I don't use it, but I can if I want to.
>> I fail to see a problem.
>
> Another snap/flat suck-up. Vlad loves you.
>
> I *was* gonna upgrade a bunch of boxes to US-22.04, but
> now I won't. Straight Debian from now on. Indeed Devuan
> is beginning to look attractive .............. systemd
> has some uses, but some downsides as well. Ever closer
> to Win Registry IMHO .......

Fwiw: Devuan works well for me! As a refugee from systemd when
Mageia 2 switched to it, I have used Debian Wheezy and Slackware
14.2 (don't recall which order) and now three releases of Devuan.
Devuan's update servers are sometimes slow, but that can be
worked around by downloading overnight if needed.

--
Robert Riches
spamtrap42@jacob21819.net
(Yes, that is one of my email addresses.)

The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> writes:
> On 06/06/2022 12:37, Bit Twister wrote:
>> On Mon, 6 Jun 2022 10:29:07 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>>> On 06/06/2022 01:14, 25.BX945 wrote:
>>>> I too have an XP VM "just in case" .
>>> ....my online bank software refuses to accept Linux plus latest firefox.
>>> Apparently 20 year old XP is however fine.
>>
>> Sounds like you need to change banks.
>> Who is your bank?
>>
> Barclays.
> I reported the bugs, they fixed one, they didn't fix another, they
> made a mess of doing share transfers. I closed my sharehilder account
> with them., Completely zero support. Website full of dreamy pastel
> images of multiracial same sex couples investing their money probably
> in junk bonds.

FWIW the Barclays online banking works for me from Linux with Firefox
101.0, although I don’t have a current account with them so I’m not in a
position to fully explore what functionality works and what doesn’t.

--
https://www.greenend.org.uk/rjk/

On 06/06/2022 20:01, Bit Twister wrote:
> On Mon, 6 Jun 2022 18:03:55 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>> On 06/06/2022 12:37, Bit Twister wrote:
>>> On Mon, 6 Jun 2022 10:29:07 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>>>> On 06/06/2022 01:14, 25.BX945 wrote:
>>>>> I too have an XP VM "just in case" .
>>>> ....my online bank software refuses to accept Linux plus latest firefox.
>>>> Apparently 20 year old XP is however fine.
>>>
>>>
>>> Sounds like you need to change banks.
>>>
>>> Who is your bank?
>>>
>> Barclays.
>
>
> Quick Barclays firefox got me a few hits in google search engine. Thought
> the Barclays Bank | Firefox Support Forum was interesting.
>
> Next link Updating your web browser - Barclays
> gave me Barclays web page indicating they support Linux Firefox.
>
> LOL.
>
>
So they are lying cunts as well

--
"The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow witted
man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest
thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly
persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of doubt, what is laid
before him."

- Leo Tolstoy

On 07/06/2022 04:22, 25.BX945 wrote:
> On 6/6/22 1:11 PM, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>> On 06/06/2022 14:40, Bit Twister wrote:
>>> On Mon, 6 Jun 2022 06:37:12 -0500, Bit Twister wrote:
>>>> On Mon, 6 Jun 2022 10:29:07 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>>>>> On 06/06/2022 01:14, 25.BX945 wrote:
>>>>>> I too have an XP VM "just in case" .
>>>>> ....my online bank software refuses to accept Linux plus latest
>>>>> firefox.
>>>>> Apparently 20 year old XP is however fine.
>>>
>>> That would make me a bit nervous wondering just how safe is the web
>>> page.
>>>
>>> Easy workaround is getting your User Agent name changed to what is
>>> accepted.
>>>
>>
>> Didn't work mate. They were using some form of javascript OS detection
>> probably written by a script kiddy who left the firm that sold the
>> 'framework' to the advertising firm that created the pretty pastel
>> website for the IT new broom who destroyed the working website they
>> inherited from Schwab.
>>
>> That Jack built.
>
>   I'm sure there's a way to fake-out the JS detector ... but
>   there soon comes a point where it's just easier to DUMP
>   the bank and find a more enlightened one.
>
>   Send a letter AFTER, explaining.

I couldn't be arsed, frankly.
Far better to tell the community that they are a mediocre high street
bank and a disaster as a investor interface to stock, share and fund
trading.

--
"The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow witted
man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest
thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly
persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of doubt, what is laid
before him."

- Leo Tolstoy

On 07/06/2022 04:31, 25.BX945 wrote:
> On 6/6/22 1:07 PM, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>> On 06/06/2022 13:45, Richard Kettlewell wrote:
>>> Bit Twister <BitTwister@mouse-potato.com> writes:
>>>> On Mon, 6 Jun 2022 10:29:07 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>>>>> On 06/06/2022 01:14, 25.BX945 wrote:
>>>>>> I too have an XP VM "just in case" .
>>>>> ....my online bank software refuses to accept Linux plus latest
>>>>> firefox.
>>>>> Apparently 20 year old XP is however fine.
>>>>
>>>> Sounds like you need to change banks.
>>>
>>> Partially agreed - there are quite a few banking options in this
>>> country, it’s not worth remaining stuck to one of the crapper ones.
>>> OTOH changing primary current account is pretty disruptive...
>>>
>>>> Who is your bank?
>>>>
>>>> I would create a business reason for supporting linux firefox by
>>>> getting
>>>> stats from https://distrowatch.com/ and maybe someone at firefox can
>>>> help
>>>> you to ask the bank why they are ignoring x,xxxs amount of a possible
>>>> customer base.
>>>
>>> Desktop Linux is largely irrelevant as a consumer OS (Android & server
>>> are another matter).
>>>
>> Well yes, except that there is no reason to actually somehow detect it
>> and discriminate against it.
>
>
>   Yes there is. MS/Apple will give 'em a discount/perks ...
>
>
I have been around software for long enough to know how it goes. At some
level some PFY is asked by his boss to create a routine that will check
browser compatibility, irrespective of what user agent is supplied.
Because his is a smart whippersnapper he dives into the darkest recesses
of Javascript to find some function that interacts with the operating
system in a uniquely identifiable way. It works for windows and it works
for Macintosh and it works for android and it works for IOS

You can imagine the code

CASE (gargleblaster==1 and analProbe==1 and (browser=='firefox' &&
version >6.0) || browser=='Edge ||...); OS=='Android' or OS=='WINSDER'
|| OS == IOS || OS=='OSX) ;break...
.......
default: "Upgrade your browser"
exit(website)

And this code will be part of a library that has been used by a company
that writes websites that consists solely of 'creatives' who really
cannot code - all they do is arrange dialogue boxes and pretty images.

And Barclays IT has hired them, to create a 'woke' website that will
appeal to morons that are easy to part from their money.

Additionally technical support is now geared to these morons who all
access their accounts via mobile phones. And is merely a front for an
organization that doesn't give a fuck about its customers. Only about
compliance with financial standards. I got about ten letters asking if I
had been satisfied with customer support, but responding 'no' gets you
nowhere either.

The difference between Barclays and Interactive Investor was so vast I
nearly fell out of my pram. A support team who want to keep you happy so
you will go away. A website so simple to use that it is amazing how
barclays could get it so wrong.
The assumption that you actually know about settlement delays and so on.

Anyway its not an indictment of Linux, its an indictment of Barclays and
a class of modern company that despises its employees and its customers
equally. And a class of IT that things a website is a marketing tool,
not a way to access a bank account or trade shares.

--
Microsoft : the best reason to go to Linux that ever existed.

On 07/06/2022 08:05, Richard Kettlewell wrote:
> The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> writes:
>> On 06/06/2022 12:37, Bit Twister wrote:
>>> On Mon, 6 Jun 2022 10:29:07 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>>>> On 06/06/2022 01:14, 25.BX945 wrote:
>>>>> I too have an XP VM "just in case" .
>>>> ....my online bank software refuses to accept Linux plus latest firefox.
>>>> Apparently 20 year old XP is however fine.
>>>
>>> Sounds like you need to change banks.
>>> Who is your bank?
>>>
>> Barclays.
>> I reported the bugs, they fixed one, they didn't fix another, they
>> made a mess of doing share transfers. I closed my sharehilder account
>> with them., Completely zero support. Website full of dreamy pastel
>> images of multiracial same sex couples investing their money probably
>> in junk bonds.
>
> FWIW the Barclays online banking works for me from Linux with Firefox
> 101.0, although I don’t have a current account with them so I’m not in a
> position to fully explore what functionality works and what doesn’t.
>
It was specifically the SmartInvestor platform* that was broken.

I am still using them as a high street bank, because frankly the others
are no better.

They seem just about able to process direct debits and debit cards and
occasionally provide cash (remember cash>?) at a hole in the wall...

--
You can get much farther with a kind word and a gun than you can with a
kind word alone.

Al Capone

On 07/06/2022 11:00, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
> On 07/06/2022 04:22, 25.BX945 wrote:
>> On 6/6/22 1:11 PM, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>>> On 06/06/2022 14:40, Bit Twister wrote:
>>>> On Mon, 6 Jun 2022 06:37:12 -0500, Bit Twister wrote:
>>>>> On Mon, 6 Jun 2022 10:29:07 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>>>>>> On 06/06/2022 01:14, 25.BX945 wrote:
>>>>>>> I too have an XP VM "just in case" .
>>>>>> ....my online bank software refuses to accept Linux plus latest
>>>>>> firefox.
>>>>>> Apparently 20 year old XP is however fine.
>>>>
>>>> That would make me a bit nervous wondering just how safe is the web
>>>> page.
>>>>
>>>> Easy workaround is getting your User Agent name changed to what is
>>>> accepted.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Didn't work mate. They were using some form of javascript OS
>>> detection probably written by a script kiddy who left the firm that
>>> sold the 'framework' to the advertising firm that created the pretty
>>> pastel website for the IT new broom who destroyed the working website
>>> they inherited from Schwab.
>>>
>>> That Jack built.
>>
>>    I'm sure there's a way to fake-out the JS detector ... but
>>    there soon comes a point where it's just easier to DUMP
>>    the bank and find a more enlightened one.
>>
>>    Send a letter AFTER, explaining.
>
> I couldn't be arsed, frankly.
> Far better to tell the community that they are a mediocre high street
> bank and a disaster as a investor interface to stock, share and fund
> trading.
>

Barclays used to be a shit employer too, expected long hours, etc. I
went for an interview once, but we didn't get on. At the time I
considered it my failure, but in hindsight I think it is probably good
to let a bit of your real character show through in interviews.

For a current account, I've been with First Direct for decades, they
aren't particularly great, but good enough not to piss me off enough to
switch. I even got to shag one of their staff back in the day, when I
did that sort of thing :o).

The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> writes:
> On 07/06/2022 08:05, Richard Kettlewell wrote:
>> FWIW the Barclays online banking works for me from Linux with
>> Firefox
>> 101.0, although I don’t have a current account with them so I’m not in a
>> position to fully explore what functionality works and what doesn’t.
>
> It was specifically the SmartInvestor platform* that was broken.

Right, not tried it, and looking at the fee structure I won’t be going
near it any time soon l-)

> I am still using them as a high street bank, because frankly the
> others are no better.
>
> They seem just about able to process direct debits and debit cards and
> occasionally provide cash (remember cash>?) at a hole in the wall...

I’m trying to forget cash...

--
https://www.greenend.org.uk/rjk/

On 2022-06-07, Richard Kettlewell <invalid@invalid.invalid> wrote:
> I’m trying to forget cash...

Cash is freedom and privacy. I use it for all local purchases.

--
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