Hey,

So I just installed debian and now I want to go to some secure websites (specifically www.flexcar.com but also banking sites do this too) that require I use a certain web browser, normally they want me to use Safari, Internet Explorer, or Firefox. Iceweasel is not allowed.

Uh, so do I need to install Firefox proper to get into these places or there some kind of trick that I can do with Iceweasel?

You should be able to use the UserAgent Switcher extension to make it look like a different browser like firefox or IE. I haven't used this addon in a while, but it used to work great for making FF 1.5 look like IE6 for some websites.

Also, here's a couple other links that might help.
http://dilettante.wordpress.com/2007...orted-browser/
http://www.beatnikpad.com/archives/2...ent-in-firefox

FYI, you can do the same kind of "browser ID spoofing" in Konqueror by going to Settings > Configure Konqueror > Browser Identification > Site Specific Identification. Put the URL (e.g. "flexcar.com") in and what the site wants to see (e.g. "I.E. 6") and you're set.

Iceweasel and User Agents
http://www.geticeweasel.org/useragent/

You can also just change general.useragent.extra.firefox Iceweasel/2.0.0.4 to read Firefox/2.0.0.4 in about:config

You can also use a distro that does not do stupid things like this....

I posted a rant on this issue a while back. I did not exactly get flamed, but there were obviously some strong feelings as to why Debian can't use Firefox.

Personally, I think the Debian idealism is not necessarily healthy for the community at large--where I would think that the objective would be to make things easy for new users.

Awesome,
http://www.geticeweasel.org/useragent/
totally worked.

About switching distros, I was on the Slackware for my first 3 years of Linux. It was working nice, but sometimes it was a real pain to get stuff installed and running. So I figured I'd try debian a few weeks ago and so far I like it a lot. It runs a little slower than Slackware but I more than make up for that time by having apt-get.

Sure, he could do that, or just install Firefox from the Mozilla website if he likes pure Firefox. Just like people who don't like Ubuntu can install pure Debian. It's all a matter of choice and Debian has their reasons for doing things to keep things "free". Could some of the Debian policies be made more sane? Sure. But it's one of the most solid distros out there, as seen by all the distros based on it.

Anyway, this isn't totally related to the question since you may have to use this trick on Firefox too for some sites. Sure I could change banks, but what's more of a hassle -- changing the useragent to pretend I'm using IE6 or changing banks?

Thank god somebody invented easy user agent switching. I see too much sites already needing this trick to work..alarming number of them are such that "only IE6 works". I wonder why banks still accept IE users, if they want to stay secure?

I'd like to know why on earth they ask for specific browsers only. If everybody created sites according to the standards (W3C exists, hey!) we could have a hundred browsers and just pick up the one we like most, without worrying if it works or if we need to switch user agents..

I partly agree and partly disagree Debian's principles, but it's not what this thread is about. I never got this thing with iceweasel; why couldn't they just take Firefox and make their own version, Firefox-2.0-Debian for example, and use that? Less hassle with the user experience.

Of course one route, not as easy as switching browser sent information though, is to use Wine and run Explorer if the site only accepts that. For Firefox-supported sites just have one normal Firefox installed from Mozilla, that's it; spam the site creators and tell them to use standard code and drop the browser requirements, as people are already bending their requests by switching user agents etc.

Continuing (sort of) off-topic: I have had a success rate of maybe 80-90% in getting people to fix their sites so they work in Firefox. I haven't tried any lately--but I also have not had any significant problems.

Hi, Just for info - I had a similar problem - Ice Weasel took over from Firefox when I did (apt-upgrade) so I download the firefox program direct from Mozilla - Firefox now runs and so does Ice Weasel -
(apt-get upgrade for Iceweasel 179 Meg !!! did it and my linux stopped working
properly - had to re-install from CD again - 15 mins later ok again)

This is on a Kanotix live CD install - its ok now though - love it.
(I changed from Mandriva 2007 to Kanotix / Debian and like it a lot)
Just worries me when I do apt-upgrade now (learning all the time though).
Search Google for Ies4linux also got IE6 working - but use very little for old MSN Spaces have a look some info for Kanotix on here.
http://adventuresuk.spaces.live.com/
Look right down bottom of link - I have put some photos in of Firefox and Ice Weasel problems - Heres a link to them.
http://adventuresuk.spaces.live.com/...F75DF8EC!2548/
Ice Weasel works ok even though spaces show up as squares
(only on Google search though !)

Kanotix is pretty much been frozen since November 2006, if you want to continue using Debian Sid I would recommend installing sidux

Mozilla and Firefox could not agree on their terms. Mozilla only allows their trademark - the Mozilla monster, the Firefox logo, the Thunderbird logo, and the names themselves, to be used when their products are used unaltered. Debian has a good reputation for quality, and at times they even have improved on free software - and sent their improvements back to the development groups. So as things go with Mozilla, for a long while, they made an exception to Debian, because Debian recompiles and rebuilds Mozilla, adding and changing a few things. But about a year ago now, this came to an impasse. Mozilla insisted that only their code be used with their name. Their code is free and you are welcome to take it, use it, modify it, whatever. But just like Red Hat, who similarly protects their name, they prohibit anyone from using any Mozilla names unless the code is theirs - unaltered.

Can't blame Debian for wanting their stamp of approval on it; can't blame Mozilla for wanting to trademark what is rightfully theirs. The good news is that you can mess with the code however you want to modify or improve it. The good news is also that there are multiple ways to ensure that the User Agent displayed to the Web Server is whatever you want it to be, so that is not an issue once you know the particulars - and the previous posts point to those solutions.

I agree. I use Debian. I like it. I also use Firefox. But I once got flamed here, and the flamer told me that I needed to switch to Ubuntu if I was going to use Firefox. Courtesy stilled the words I thought of typing.