Re: lynx-dev https urls

[Philip Webb]

990506 Richard Wilkinson wrote: 
> I am a blind user of Lynx and love it.  It makes web access so simple.
> I access the Lynx browser through my shell account at my ISP.
> This is done by typing in "lynx -show_cursor" at the "$" prompt.
> The isp then routes me to the Lynx home page, and I'm on my way.
> I assume that I am getting the most recent version of the program.
> When I entered the "=" sign, the version of Lynx indicated is 2.8rel2.

the most recent release is 2-8-1 (from  http://www.slcc.edu/lynx/release ),
but 2-8-2 has just started pre-release testing:
you can get that from  http://sol.slcc.edu/lynx/current .
 
> One problem I have been encountering is "secure" online ordering links.
> When I attempt to activate these links a message appears
> "alert: this client does not support https urls".
> I assume this alert is coming from the Lynx browser,
> but I'm not sure who the "client" is or how this can be corrected.

no, this comes from the server at the other end: you are the client.

> Tech support told me it must be a problem with Lynx and encrypted files.
> There are times when I'd like to order something over the web
> but am forced to use a toll free telephone number instead.
 
to access secure sites you have to have SSL patches compiled into Lynx.
due to US weapons-export laws & copyright problems,
Lynx is not shipped with these patches.
as you have shell access, you could do the job yourself,
but it sounds as if you are a bit of a novice at that type of thing,
so the only way round your problem is to get your ISP to do it for you.
the patches are obtainable from  http://www.moxienet.com/lynx/
& there is help under links [9] & [10] on the Main Help Page of 2-8-1
(NOT in 2-8).  if you or your ISP need more advice, ask again here.

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