Statement of Support for Web Browsers
(Updated 11.15.2004)
I. Overview
This document describes the web browser support policy for applications and
systems developed an/or supported by Computing and Information Technology
(CIT) at the University at Buffalo.
The latest versions of Mozila, Safari, Netscape, and Internet Explorer will
display the services listed below consistently and reliably with access to
all features. Other browsers may provide an adequate experience, but we
do not support them.
There are exceptions to this policy, particularly in the area of purchased applications and systems.
Those exceptions are listed in this document with the list of supported
browsers for each application.
II. Development Principles and Web Standards
CIT attempts to minimize browser support issues by following these principles
- Develop new web applications using W3C web standards
- Develop new web applications using xHTML and validate this xHTML using common
validation tools such as validate.w3.org
- Validate new web applications with accessibility software such
as Bobby.
- Make our systems functional in all supported browsers, but acknowledge that no web applications appear exactly the same in every browser.
- Avoid technologies (iFrame, DHTML, ActiveX, Java Applets, etc.) that are
only supported in certain browsers and/or are not backward compatible
- Avoid certain aspects of CSS that are not supported in Internet Explorer (the
most commonly used browser for our applications)
III. Rationale
Current releases of the major browsers now support the standards promulgated
by the web's governing body, the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). By
developing web sites that adhere to these standards, web developers can spend more
time on design and content development, rather than "browser validation" and
"workarounds". These tasks often double or triple the work to create and support
web applications.
In addition, developers can be reasonably sure their sites will be accessible
to future browser versions, to people with disabilities, and on Internet devices such
as cell phones and personal data assistants (PDAs).
Standards compliance makes it easier for people with special needs to use
the web. The visually impaired may have their computer read web pages to
them, or may have pages rearranged and magnified for easier reading. And,
people using hand-held devices can browse the Web just as easily as those using
high-end workstations.
In addition to reducing coding for special cases, standards-compliant pages
have a greater probability of being usable on older browsers. While
the pages may not look the same as in a modern browser because of limited
CSS support, markup that does not contain style information has a better
chance of displaying adequately and working correctly.
IV. General Browser Requirements
To be compatible with all applications listed below, your browser must
meet the following requirements:
- The browser must be configured to accept cookies.
- The browser must be capable of 128-bit SSL encryption.
- The browser must be configured to run javascript.
Even if you are using a supported browser, you may not be able to
access all of the services above if you have disabled cookes or if you
are using less than 128-bit encryption.
V. Supported Browsers
CIT supports the following browsers for accessing our Web-based applications and
web sites. Other browsers may also work, but we do not attempt to
resolve problems with browsers other than those listed below. In general,
we recommend that you regularly upgrade your web browser to take
advantage of the latest performance enhancements, problem fixes, and
security patches.
- Mozilla (Firefox)
1.4 and higher for all operating systems
- Safari
1.x and higher for all operating systems
- Netscape
6.0 and higher for all operating systems
- Internet Explorer
6.0 and higher for Windows
5.0 and higher for Macintosh
VI. Applications and Systems Covered by This Policy
Student Applications/Systems
- MyUB, including Web Registration, My Grades, My Checkstops, My Parking
Permint, Schedule Wixard, GPA Calculator, My Student Address, My Expect to
Graduate Date
- E-Pay
- My DARS
Faculty/Staff:
- MyUB, including My Parking Permit, My Classlist
- Web Grading
- Blackboard Instructor Web Interface (BIWI)
- DARS for Advisors
- InfoSource Online
VII. Exception Applications and/or Purchased Packages
Purchased Applications
- Taurus/CAS
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher
- Netscape Navigator 4.0 or higher
- Cookies enabled
- UBlearns/Blackboard
- Windows 2000
- IE 5.0;5.5;6.0
- Netscape: 4.77
- Windows XP
- IE:6.0
- Netscape: 6.2; 7.0
- MAC 9.2
- IE: 5.0; 5.2
- Netscape: 4.77; 7.0
- MAC X.1
- IE: 5.1; 5.2
- Netscape: 6.2; 7.0
- Mac X.2
- Webmail
- Windows
- Netscape 6.x and 7.x
- IE 6.x
- Mozilla 1.3+
- Linux and Solaris
- Netscape 6.x and 7.x
- Mozilla 1.3+
- Mac
- All supported browsers must support javascript and cookies
- HOD
- Windows OS only (98SE, 2000 Professional, XP Professional)
- Netscape 7 or above
- Microsoft Internet Explorere 5.5 or above
- Libraries
- In-house database applications
- Windows Netscape 4.7+, IE 5.01+
- Catalog
- Windows IE 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0
Questions and Answers
Q: What exactly is meant by "supported browser"?
A:Supporting a browser means that:
- We will attempt to resolve problems reported while using that browser
to access our applications.
- Effort is expended to ensure that our applications function the
same in each supported browser, but not necessarily appear exactly the
same.
Minor differences in appearance could be present across browsers, but
these differences will not impact how the application functions. Since
most modern browsers adhere to web standards, minor differences in
appearance will be less frequent over time, since we develop our applications
utilizing W3C standards and with standards-based browsers in mind.
Q: How do I install one of the supported browsers?
A: Windows
Mac
Q: What is wrong with using an old browser?
A: Browser technology has improved greatly in the last several years. Older browsers do not understand the latest versions of HTML and do not have reliable implementations of stylesheets (CSS), a powerful feature used by most modern
Web developers. By working within the latest standards, Web designers have
more control of how a page displays, sites can be more accessible to a wider
range of devices (including cell phones and accessibility software), and code
is much simpler to develop and maintain.
The old version 4 browsers, including Internet Explorer and Netscape, were
created before HTML and stylesheets were fully standardized, and, therefore,
varied greatly in how they worked, making it very complex to write Web
pages for them. Newer browsers are much more standards-compliant, making
them more reliable in displaying what the Web designer intended and much more
consistent in how they work compared to each other.
Additionally, old browsers using old encryption technologies may not
be as secure as newer browsers.
Q: Why do I need to set my browser to be able to accept
cookies?
A: Cookies are simple tex files stored on your web browser to
provide a means of distinguishing among users of this website.
The use of cookies is a standard practice among Internet websites. To
better serve you, we occasionally use "session cookies" to enhance or
customize your visit to this website. Session cookies that can be created
automatically on the device you use to access this UB website, do not
contain personal information, and do not compromise your privacy or security.
We may use the cookie feature to store a randomly generated identifying tag on the
cevice you use to access this website.
A session cookie is erased during operation of your browser or
when your browser is closed.
Additionally, the next central authentication system that is implemented
at UB will require the use of cookies and javascript. These cookies are
used so the user will not have to repeatedly enter his/her UBIT Name
and password when visiting different web services.
Q: What about Netscape 4.x?
A: Netscape 4.x in particular is an ancient (in web terms)
web browser that is undeservedly still in use. This browser has very
poor support for well-established web standards. Its continued use
complicates the job of making accessible and maintainable web sites.
Please install a new web browser or upgrade to a newer version of
Netscape to help support the University's move towards being more
accessible and standardized.
Q: What about Opera, AvantBrowser, Lynx, iCab, Konqueror, etc.?
A: These browsers are not suppported as they have not been tested
extensively with the Web applications and systems listed in this document. Users
of these browsers may find them to be compatible with various applications
and systems, but there is not guarantee that future versions of the Web
applications and systems listed above will continue to provide the
same compatibility. In general, the more compliant the browser is wtih
W3C standards, the more likely applicaitons will look and function the
same in these browsers.
If you want to use a browser that is not supported, you will still need
to make sure that it is configured to use 128-bit encryption and that
cookies and javascript are enabled. If your browser does not support
one or more of these functions, you will not be able to access all of
the services listed above.
Q: What if I have an old machine/OS and can't upgrade to a newer browser
because of that (and can't afford a new machine)?
A: Although not guaranteed, most applications should function, but might
not look exactly like they would in a newer browser.
Q: Will this policy ever change?
A:It is anticipated that this policy will continue to evolve over
time, as new browsers gain popularity, older browsers lose popularity, web
standards evolve, etc. This policy should be revisited on a yearly
basis (minimally).
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