msn.com blocks non-Microsoft browsers

[Patrick STODDARD]

> I foresee myself using vi in the /etc/cron.hourly any second now.
> 
> Matt Alexander wrote:
> 
>>On 26 Oct 2001, Bill Warner wrote:
>>
>>
>>>* * * * * lynx -useragent="Mozilla/5.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0b;Icab)" -cookies -source www.msn.com &>/dev/null
>>>
>>>is a great cronjob
>>>
>>I like mine better.  ;-)
>>
>>* * * * * /usr/local/bin/lynx -useragent="Mozilla/5.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0b; Linux; Microsoft Sucks;Icab)" -cookies -source www.msn.com >/dev/null 2>&1

It appears that MSN may have turned off their blocks keeping
certain browsers from viewing that site.  After seeing the exchange
above, I tried Lynx (and forgot the -useragent option), it appeared
to be more than the message last week to get a new browser.  Then
I tried Mozilla 0.9.5 and it worked.  So, for now, if you really
need to view www.msn.com it appears you will be able to using your
favorite browser - and not have to send some choice words/phrases
in your useragent parameter.  I also saw this on Yahoo! mentioning
MSN's change of mind:

http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/cn/20011029/tc/microsoft_belatedly_opens_access_to_msn_1.html


Patrick

-- 
Patrick STODDARD                E-mail: wd9ewk at yahoo dot com
Glendale, Arizona, USA          ICBM:   33.5 N 112.2 W

       hahahaha: http://www.cirs.org/haha/disasterdan.html