07.29.09
HSBC, a Participant in Microsoft’s Linux Racket, Snubs Firefox, GNU/Linux, and Mac Users
Summary: HSBC requires Internet Explorer, arguably the least secure Web browser ever made
OVER two years ago, HSBC fueled Microsoft's FUD by spreading the “intellectual property” nonsense in relation to Linux. What was particularly odd at the time ought to be the fact that Microsoft paid for this press release [2] and hijacked HSBC's voice. Here is how a typical such deal actually works and how it is marketed [3].
HSBC is happy enough exploiting GNU/Linux and paying Microsoft for the privilege, but when it comes to supporting GNU/Linux users it takes the same approach as Citibank (which at least accepted Firefox after a long struggle). According to this, HSBC is now blocking everything but Internet Explorer (and by inference Windows, bar Wine) when it comes to Visa.
I was shocked to hear that HSBC now officially only supports IE, and no other browsers are supported for Verified by Visa. I asked them what I’m supposed to do if I have a Mac and don’t have IE, and they responded that I’m supposed to use IE or nothing at all.
This is surprising, especially considering the fact that HSBC even added RISC OS support not so long ago [1]. Now they just use the Microsoft-taxed SUSE instead of something like Red Hat. At the same time they spit in the faces of the very same developers who help them drive their business. █
_____
[1] HSBC embraces NetSurf and RISC OS
A high street bank today apologised to NetSurf users for locking them out of their web bank accounts, and re-enabled their access. HSBC said it now recognises NetSurf and RISC OS, adding: “We welcome all standards compliant browsers and platforms.” The move was welcomed by punters, who were amazed that a global corporation had responded positively to the needs of a niche OS platform.
[2] HSBC Taps Microsoft-Novell Agreement to Reduce Linux Cost and Complexity
Global bank selects SUSE Linux Enterprise as its standard Linux distribution, citing interoperability with Windows Active Directory and integrated Windows and Linux platform support.
[3] HSBC bank reports 55% growth in online business
In March, the banking giant HSBC — which has more than 9,500 branches employing 284,000 staff in 76 countries — made moves to consolidate its IT systems, by standardising its Linux deployments on Novell’s Suse distribution and tapping into Novell’s tie-up with Microsoft.
aeshna23 said,
July 29, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Large tech companies that compete with Microsoft, like Oracle, IBM, Google, and Red Hat, should refuse to do business with HSBC. They are far better positioned to retaliate than the average consumer. Obviously, I don’t think that the average consumer should be using HSBC either, but I realize the technically politically aware are few.
Yuhong Bao said,
July 31, 2009 at 5:35 pm
“This is surprising, especially considering the fact that HSBC even added RISC OS support not so long ago”
On RISC OS news, the arrival of new ARM-based netbooks is good news for RISC OS as well:
http://www.iconbar.com/comments/rss/news1224.html