Re: [Debconf-team] Montreal's bid for DC17 is now official
I updated the wiki with a link to this part of the thread. I avoided
giving my own opinion on the issue but given Debian's mission and our
principles, I feel it is important enough that people are aware of it.
If anybody can document a way around this or volunteer to share the
burden of administration work with the people this discriminates
against, it could be helpful to add that on the page too.
On 05/12/15 00:29, Daniel Pocock wrote:
>
>
> On 03/12/15 19:41, martin f krafft wrote:
>> also sprach Daniel Pocock <daniel@pocock.pro> [2015-12-04 01:34
>> +1300]:
>>> Would anybody from the bid team object if this information is
>>> added to the wiki page?
>
>> It's salient, but I am sure there are ways. It'd be really cool if
>> you could also reach out to Canadian Immigration and see what they
>> have to say about it. Surely, they'll have a regular PDF to be
>> filled by hand, or some other provisions.
>
>
> We looked at this for something else previously and I think that if
> you don't use the non-free software, and you fill out the form by
> hand, you are forced to go to a Canadian embassy in person (which can
> mean 1 or 2 days off work for somebody who doesn't live in the same
> city as an embassy) or the application takes longer or some other problems
>
> When the non-free software is used, it performs some data validation
> on the form fields and generates a unique QR-code which will appear
> when you print the form. If you just print the empty form (it is easy
> to find scanned copies online) and write on it by hand then there
> won't be a QR code.
>
> You then have to upload your bundle of documents to a web site. It
> regularly fails. People frequently get a 502 error. You have to deal
> with this many times for each document they ask you to upload (scanned
> copy of passport, scanned employer reference, etc) and that can take a
> couple of hours, sometimes you just have to try again another day.
> You have to do it all from Internet Explorer too, it doesn't work for
> Iceweasel or Firefox. A sample excuse from the support desk is below.
>
> Ignoring the non-free software issue (which is hard to ignore of
> course for an organization like Debian) and the upload issues, the
> Canadian visa appears to be marginally less hassle than the US visa,
> the US expects virtually all applicants to go to an embassy in person
> but Canada doesn't.
>
> Regards,
>
> Daniel
>
>
>
> ======= Response from technical support ==========
>
> Sir, Madam,
>
> Thank you for contacting Citizenship and Immigration Canada. I am
> pleased to follow up on your request:
>
> We verified the information provided. The situation that you have
> described is the result of an ongoing periodic technical problem. We
> are currently looking into it and will resolve it as soon as possible.
> However, please note that the difficulties that you are experiencing
> may be resolved by:
>
> Using Internet Explorer 9.0 (or a higher version) or a different
> browser such as Safari 3.1;
> Refreshing your browser;
> By using another computer; or
> Trying again later.
>
> Furthermore, here are some tricks that may help you:
>
> Verify that the information you are entering is correct;
> Clear your cache and cookies. To do this, follow these steps:
> in Internet Explorer:
> Tools > Internet Options > Delete Files; and
> Tools > Internet Options > Delete Cookies
> in Safari:
> Edit > Empty Cache; and
> Edit > Preferences > Security Tab > Show Cookies > Remove All
>> Remove All
>
>
>
>
> The information in this email is meant to assist you in understanding
> the immigration and citizenship policies and/or procedures. If you
> plan on consulting this email again at a future date, please visit our
> website at www.cic.gc.ca to ensure that you have the most current
> information.
>
> I would also like to suggest other online services that you might find
> helpful:
>
> Download application forms and guides
> Change of address
> Check your application status
> Help Centre to find answers to your questions
>
>
>
>
> Agent #1234
> Citizenship and Immigration Canada
>
> Note The information provided may change without notice. If there is
> conflicting information between the text in the email and the
> Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the Citizenship Act or their
> regulations, the Act and/or Regulations prevail. This email was sent
> to you in the language of your choice. The information on the CIC
> website is available in both official languages. The masculine form
> may have been used for convenience; it refers to both men and women.
> _______________________________________________
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> Debconf-team@lists.debconf.org
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>
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