Using Lynx

[Sirp]

I like to use Lynx to browse the web from work, as it makes it non-obvious that I'm browsing the web instead of uhh....working.

(For those who may not know, Lynx is a text-based Unix browser).

Unfortunately when I try to post to the forum using Lynx, I get told that the 'file upload scheme' isn't supported. Do the forums use some kind of non-standard extension to HTTP to allow posting? Why is this? Would it be possible to make the forums more standard, so that they'd work from all browsers, including Lynx?

-Sirp.

 

[Chieftess]

I think it's with Lynx - I get the same on my ISP when I use the unix shell.

 

[Thunderfall]

Originally posted by Sirp
Unfortunately when I try to post to the forum using Lynx, I get told that the 'file upload scheme' isn't supported. Do the forums use some kind of non-standard extension to HTTP to allow posting? Why is this? Would it be possible to make the forums more standard, so that they'd work from all browsers, including Lynx?

Which file upload are you taking about? The forum's built in file attachment feature or the Easy Upload?

I am not very familiar with Lynx...

 

[Chieftess]

I used Lynx when the 'Net was Young'.

Well, 1994 atleast. Ah, the good old days of the University of Missouri catalouge on my highschool Internet computers.

 

[Sirp]

I'm just talking about posting a message normally. I assume it's because posting a message uses some kind of fancy Javascript (does it?) that Lynx doesn't support...

-Sirp.

 

[Chieftess]

Posting uses php (infact, the whole board does). Lynx was meant as a simple, DOS/Unix (text based) browser. Java, php and other scripts use Windows (and the Netscape/IE/Opera browser) to do what they're intended to do.

 

[pdescobar]

Originally posted by Chieftess
Posting uses php (infact, the whole board does). Lynx was meant as a simple, DOS/Unix (text based) browser. Java, php and other scripts use Windows (and the Netscape/IE/Opera browser) to do what they're intended to do.

While it is true that Java (as well as JavaScript, VBScript, ActiveX and all manner of other nonsense ) are client-side and will be essentially ignored by lynx or other text browsers, php is a server-side scripting language which simply generates the pages -- it does not interact with the client directly and so poses no problems with regard to browser compatibility. If there is a problem it would be because of form submission; either a method Lynx fails to understand or some kind of javascript sanity-check that lynx will not process. Since I've never done so before, I'm attempting to post this message under Lynx...

Edit: and it worked flawlessly but is a huge pain in the behind. Thus, this edit is done in a nice, friendly graphical browser The version of lynx used to post the above paragraph was: "Lynx Version 2.8.2rel.1 (01 Jun 1999) Built on irix6.5 Jul 21 1999 17:53:17" so perhaps you need an upgrade

 

[Sirp]

Yes, php is an entirely server-side technology.

Anyhow, I managed to work a way around it: the problem is the file upload field. Apparently Lynx doesn't like any file upload field in a form, even if it's left empty. But I found that if I use the 'Quick Reply' form - which doesn't have an attachment field - it works fine. So, my only request would be that there always be a way to post messages that doesn't involve a file upload field, if that's possible.

Cheers,

-Sirp.

 

[pdescobar]

I should reiterate that on the version of Lynx I used to post my earlier message (2.8.2rel.1), it handled the standard reply screen ("reply w/ quote" to be specific) which has a file upload field without a problem.