Re: lynx-dev cookie incompatibility

[pAb-032871]

In "Re: lynx-dev cookie incompatibility"
[19/Jul/2000 Wed 09:56:08]
James Phillips wrote:

> Thank-you all for your help.
> I will send them the problem, with links to the flora arcive,
> although I don't know if they'll just simply send another apology
> message..
> 
> PS. Yes the site works with netscape
> And I thought maybe LYNX was forcing port 80

Here's something I got after sending in a note on the subject.
No, I didn't misrepresent myself as you: they got my name wrong
[I should start using my real name in e-mail.  This nickname is
more trouble than it's worth, and I haven't been on Hotline in
a while.  That's the only place I'd be recognized as "pAb-032871"
anyway.]

I'll be sure to forward any other replies to you and/or lynx-dev
[I was going to anyway, but not right away.  See below.]

> To: address@hidden
> Subject: Cookie Incompatibility.
> Reply-To: address@hidden
> From: pAb-032871 <address@hidden>
> Date: Tue, 18 Jul 2000 19:53:40 -0700
> X-Mailer: Musashi 3.2-us
> 
> This is in reference to the cookie-error page redirection when
> users try to access http://www.staples.ca/  It's been discussed
> on the lynx-dev mailing list [initially to see if a bug in the
> browser was to blame], which is publicly archived at
> http://www.flora.org/lynx-dev/
> 
> In fact, the server's unusual browser requirements with regard
> to SITESERVER cookies [user agents Mozilla and Internet Explorer
> *only* it seems] exclude many kinds of web browsers, not just
> Lynx.  There's Opera, iCab, Links [different from Lynx], w3m,
> Blynx [Lynx, especially modified for blind users], and others.
> Even though they do support cookies properly, www.staples.ca is
> apparently closed to them.
> 
> These may *seem* like a smaller minority than they really are,
> because people try your site once with these browsers and don't
> come back; potential customers who don't show up on your server
> logs, and -- I repeat -- don't come back.
> 
> About Blynx: in the near future, inaccessible commercial sites
> may acquire the same stigma as public buildings without wheelchair
> ramps.  Several government websites have already addressed this
> issue.
> 
> I notice the main site, http://www.staples.com/ , doesn't seem
> to have this problem, but that observation only comes from a brief
> visit.
> 
> 
> Please don't take this as a flame letter.  I appreciate the effort
> that goes into PR work and I know it's not an easy job.  This
> note is actually supposed to be helpful in its own way: if the
> site is more open and usable to a wider variety of customers,
> you'll see more orders coming in.
> 
> 
> Copy of original message follows:
> 
> > --- "Staples.com" <address@hidden> wrote:
> > > Dear James Phillips,
> > > 
> > > I apologize for any difficulties you have experienced using our
> > > website.
> > > 
> > > Unfortunately, Staples.ca is not completely compatible with the
> > > Lynx 
> > > browser.  You may want to try accessing our site using a
> > different 
> > > browser to see if you have better results.  Our site is fully
> > > compatible
> > > with both Netscape and Internet Explorer.
> > > 
> > > I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you and thank
> > you
> > > for 
> > > your patience concerning this issue.
> > > 
> > > Julie
> > > Associate Web Support Specialist
> 
> 
> 
>                         Patrick
>               <mailto:address@hidden>
>  


Answered with:


> Date: Tue, 18 Jul 2000 23:21:22 -0700
> To: pAb-032871 <address@hidden>
> Subject: Staples.com Online Support
> From: "Staples.com" <address@hidden>
> Reply-To: "Staples.com" <address@hidden>
> X-Mailer: Kana 4.0
> 
> Dear James Phillps,
> 
> Thank you very much for all the information and research you have provided us 
> with. I have forwarded
> your letter to our programminng department and will await his input on this 
> issue.
> 
> Thank you for your patience concerning this issue.
> 
> Ken
> Associate Web Support Specialist
> 
> e-mail: address@hidden
> phone : 1-800-3STAPLE (1-800-378-2753)
> url   : http://www.staples.com
> 
> 
> Original Message Follows:
> ------------------------
> This is in reference to the cookie-error page redirection when
> users try to access http://www.staples.ca/  It's been discussed
[...]

Since this was forwarded to another department, I was originally
going to wait for *their* reply.  Sorry for the mixup.  I've also
sent a quick correction note about who sent what to who.


        Thank you for your patience concerning this issue.  ;-)



                          Patrick
                <mailto:address@hidden>
 

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