O.k., I’m baffled by this one. According to this article, those affected by Hurricane Katrina that wish to apply for aid online from FEMA MUST use Internet Explorer 6.
For those not familiar with the software, Internet Explorer is a web browser bundled in with Windows, which allows you to browse the internet. It’s what lurks behind the big “E” on the Windows desktop.
So this FEMA website can not be accessed by anyone with a non-Microsoft (Mac, Linux, Unix, etc.) computer, as well as those running Firefox instead of Internet Explorer (usually due to security concerns like adware, malware, viruses, etc.) or any older computer that hasn’t been upgraded to the latest version of the software.
While the internet was designed to be accessible by all, regardless of operating system or platform used, Microsoft has introduced several proprietary extensions to Internet Explorer that stray from the standard, and leave other web browsers out in the cold.
Nice planning FEMA. If you don’t have a Windows computer, you can call FEMA directly at 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362).
