On Tue, 27 Nov 2001, Alan Harris wrote:

Hi all, thought you guys/gals might be interested in this little conversation of mine regarding the transfer of exam entry data via edi with dialnet :- -----reply from dialnet-----

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as stated in the Requirements, WebXchange requires Internet Explorer 4 or greater. The reason is explained on the Support page: Q: Why can't I use the Netscape web browser? A: WebXchange uses Microsoft's Active-X technology to allow the transparent transfer of files from and to your computer hard drive, which Netscape browsers do not natively support. Any thoughts?

How about: "Dear Mr Moran, Personally, I prefer to avoid using web technologies that can transparently transfer files from and to my computer's hard drive. Some computers that I use hold information that is confidential, such as medical details, and I would be violating various laws[1] if I were not to take reasonable precautions to protect this information. I am afraid that it may not be possible to legally use your service without setting up a computer dedicated only to the task of transferring exam entry data and not connected to any other computer. This is clearly not an acceptable solution. If you are unable to provide a safe alternative to the ActiveX technology, then I will be forced to take my business elsewhere and to contact your existing customers to inform them that they may be breaking the law by continuing to use your service, and to suggest an alternative provider for the service. If you do not have the in-house skills required to implement a safe and secure solution, then I can recommend several consultants who would be able to advise you. I look forward to hearing from you. Regards," [1] Possibly including the DPA 1998 - anyone know Michael

Hi all,

thought you guys/gals might be interested in this little conversation of mine regarding the transfer of exam entry data via edi with dialnet :-

I gave up with Dialnet when they brought out their "Trader" EDI sofware which required dialing up to the Dialnet ISP. For a while we used the BT service, recently we have been using AVCO, but this does appear to require IE to be installed or at least certain bits of it. Fortunatly their "tech support" people are very good. The only other option appears to be RM, who's system definitely requires IE.

-----Original Message----- From: Alan Harris [mailto:alanh@bryngwyn.carmarthen.sch.uk] Sent: 27 November 2001 12:43 To: sales@dialnet.com Subject: Dialnet EDT Service

Hi there,

I've just tried to access your information site with netscape 4.7 which failed to download your page properly, I can access the page with Mozilla and StarOffice. The School does not run Internet Explorer.

Before I commit to your edt service and download any files can you confirm that your edt service will work properly without Internet Explorer being installed....

Many Thanks

Alan

-----reply from dialnet-----

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Subject: RE: Dialnet EDT Service Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2001 14:06:40 -0000 From: "Moran, Gary" To: "'alanh@bryngwyn.carmarthen.sch.uk'"

Alan

as stated in the Requirements, WebXchange requires Internet Explorer 4 or greater. The reason is explained on the Support page:

Q: Why can't I use the Netscape web browser? A: WebXchange uses Microsoft's Active-X technology to allow the transparent transfer of files from and to your computer hard drive, which Netscape

Sounds like something more suited to a virus writer.

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browsers do not natively support.

I've never understood why you should need a web browser in the first place to transfer files especially since transfering files long predates any WWW like systems. (Files have been being sent between computers electronically for at least half a century...) All you really need is a file transfer protocol (possibly combined with public key cryptography / "digital signature".) You'd only need a web browser to look at a log file held on a remote computer, where *any* web browser should suffice.

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And to expand on this, although we could achieve this using alternative technology that would be "Netscape friendly", there is no commercial incentive for us to pursue this. Since the service has been available (March 2000 in beta), yours is only the third inquiry concerning Netscape compatibility.

The WebXchange web site's external pages lists the general requirements, and the specific requirements of the active x component (under Downloads). In general your browser must be running on an IBM compatible PC under a 32bit Windows OS (95, 98, 2000, XP, NT4). Your browser must support DHTML for the WebXchange menu, and must support Active X components.

Regards, Gary

Gary Moran Technical Services DIALnet plc

+44 (0)121 624 5059

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Any thoughts?

Any one know of a suitable alternative - BT Connect no longer offer this service and I'd rather avoid an encounter with RM if possible....

Try looking at http://www.avcosystems.com/info-10.html If nothing else you are likely to get a sensible response rather than cut and pasted "boilerplate". -- Mark Evans St. Peter's CofE High School Phone: +44 1392 204764 X109 Fax: +44 1392 204763