Reader Eric doesn’t want to install a defunct browser in order to do his banking, so Wells Fargo’s request that he use Netscape Navigator is really rubbing him the wrong way. (Navigator was discontinued in December and is no longer supported by AOL as of March 1, 2008, says Wikipedia.)
Eric writes:
I recently tried to sign up for online access to my Wells Fargo Financial account. I am on a mac and use Firefox or Safari – depending on my mood.I went to sign up and was re-directed to a webpage that said that I should use Netscape Navigator instead!!! I ended up having to login using Internet Explorer from within Parallels on my macbook pro. It is ridiculous. I’m speculating that Wells Fargo still uses that stagecoach on their logo to have their mail delivered!
Here’s the message he got from Wells Fargo’s website:
We support the following browsers. If your browser does not meet Wells Fargo’s security standards, please follow the download instructions below.
Note: We strongly recommend that your computer be running one of the operating systems listed below, and be connected to the internet using one of the browser versions indicated.
Netscape® 6.XX and 7.XX
* Netscape Navigator/Communicator Upgrade for Windows
* Netscape Upgrade for MacintoshMicrosoft® Internet Explorer (MSIE) 5.X – 6.XX
* MSIE Upgrade for Windows
America Online® 4.0 – AOL 8.0 for Windows; use with MSIE 5.X – 6.0
* America Online Browser Upgrade
Eric also tells us that when he tried to complain about the problem they told him to use a telephone to call them for help. What? How, like, totally ’90s of them. The kids today do not want to use the telephone.
Eric is currently using Parallels to run IE, and is annoyed by that.
Wells Fargo Financial [EricStoller]
(Photo:Getty)
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They sent me the same message months ago, I called up and was told that they were working on getting Firefox to work on their system. I just went ahead and started using Firefox and have been with no problem. This is with Windows and Linux, though. Haven’t tried it with Mac.
Allow me to quote Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web and director of the World Wide Web Consortium:
“Anyone who slaps a ‘this page is best viewed with Browser X’ label on a Web page appears to be yearning for the bad old days, before the Web, when you had very little chance of reading a document written on another computer, another word processor, or another network.
The whole point of HTML, XML, CGI, PERL and Java was to allow any computer to communicate with any other computer and not require they have any common software or hardware. It amazes me how many morons still can’t get a clue.
[www.anybrowser.org]
Think of it this way: Would anyone buy a car that could only run on one type of gasoline and would choke if another brand were put in its tank? That’s what these idiots are doing.
@Buran: Any serious commercial website that is still serving ActiveX to its clients in 2008 doesn’t deserve to stay in business.
@jeff303: I agree but it’s still one huge reason why a lot of websites only work in Windows IE.
I have a Mac and use Firefox and Safari and have NO problems with Wells Fargo’s Web sites. Also use my mobile phone and iTouch and it works.
Looks like a consultant built the WF Financial site and left them with a browser checker that’s stuck in the past.
I always use firefox. My ONLY complaint about Netflix is that you HAVE to use IE for Watch Instantly. I e-mailed them about it. They’re such a great company, it’ll probably be fixed soon.
I didn’t know Netscape still EXISTED!
Wells Fargo Financial fixed it!!! I just checked it today and it works (on a Mac) in both Firefox and Safari! I had several inbound visits last week from Wells Fargo IP addresses!!!