Re: More fun (not!) with JRE
Andrew Sackville-West wrote:
On Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 06:15:11PM +0100, andy wrote:
Andrew Sackville-West wrote:
On Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 05:22:31PM +0100, andy wrote:
Dear Debianistas
and it still doesn't work using an XP machine with IE6.
If it doesn't work with XP and IE6 then what the heck does it work
with?
Go figure! I have no idea, but judging from the discussion forum that is
linked to the page, many people with Windows are reporting problems. The
typical response so far seems to be upgrade (!) your browser and JRE. One
suggestion which even I thought was particularly smart was for the user to
turn off their firewall!!
nice. Maybe you could ask them all to kindly report their ip's so we
can verify that their firewalls are down? Holy crap that's just
ridiculous.
I can't imagine that they would be too keen on doing that!!
What sort of operation are they running and what kind of
class are you taking?
The course is an MSc in Environmental studies. The distance learning is
an option for those who have to work and who cannot always make it
on-site. It is just really a right royal PITA, and the course
administrators don't seem to be able to offer any alternatives. As it is
I had to spoof the user agent string on my browser in order to stop
those annoying messages telling me that my browser is not supported.
The snarky response to them is that the class description didn't
specify that you need a particular OS and browser to take the class,
so maybe they'd be willing to refund the cost of such OS...
Yep, I was thinking of something along those lines too :)
I am beginning to feel compelled to start an argument with the course
admin about their reliance on this piece of software for their distance
learning option,
There was a lengthy thread a few months ago about how to convince
professors to use non-windows-only formats for required reading
materials and class notes. I think the upshot was you can only be
courteous and hope to make an impression while preparing to be ignored...
In your case, you may not have much choice in that the professors may
not have a choice as to what they use. It may be dictated further up
the ladder. Certainly a polite conversation with the professor is in
order, but be prepared to be frustrated. Hopefully, they'll understand
you and maybe direct you to the right people to make a change. I think
you should expect a long battle though _and_ be prepared to offer a
viable alternative. That includes the possibility of setting up a
test installation to demonstrate your alternative (assuming you get
that far).
I can understand that and although I have not researched the thread you
note, I have a nasty suspicion that any discussion with profs or techs that
I do have *will* end in frustration. I was under the impression that JRE
was supposed to be platform independent. Perhaps I have gotten the wrong
end of the stick?
that doesn't mean you shouldn't try though...
Oh I will, trust me!! ;-) Just as a point of fact however, Java is
supposed to be OS independent isn't it. I'd look stoopid if I go
spouting off on something that is untrue ... not good for my credibility
good luck
A
Thanks ... I'll probably need it.
Cheers
Andy
--
"If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about the answers." - Thomas Pynchon, "Gravity's Rainbow"
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