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    December 11th, 2013

    ♫ ‘Cause In These Times, These Changing Times
    A Transition Is Occuring And I Am Not Blind
    As The Pendlum Swings A New Age We Enter…

    Music, lyrics and recorded by The Beastie Boys.

    BC Land Title & Survey Authority

     

    This is a guest post from the British Columbia Land Title & Survey Authority.  I am publishing it here as it raises important issues for all those who file documents in the Land Title System in British Columbia.

    LTSA Updates System Requirements for its Electronic Services

    Support to end for Internet Explorer 7 and 8, and Windows XP
    December 5, 2013

    The Land Title and Survey Authority (LTSA) has updated the system requirements for its Electronic Services in anticipation of the myLTSA portal which will be in full operation on  May 1, 2014.

    The new system requirements recommend customers use Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) versions 9 or 10. Customers should apply all software updates to their browser, have compatibility mode disabled, and set their browser’s encryption level to at least 256-bit.

    As of January 2014, the LTSA will discontinue support of IE 7, and one year later in January 2015 will discontinue support of IE 8. The LTSA will also end support of Windows XP operating system in April 2014 which is when Microsoft will terminate its support of this operating system. Support by Microsoft of IE 7 and IE 8 will end in January 2015. For more information, see www.microsoft.com

    To comply with the LTSA’s updated system requirements, these important changes may be required:

    • Internet Explorer 7, Internet Explorer 8 and Windows XP users should upgrade to a higher version within the time period specified. To upgrade, visit www.microsoft.com
    • Compatibility mode settings should be disabled in all versions of IE (this is the default setting)
    • Minimum encryption level should be 256-bit in all versions of IE (this is the default setting in IE 8 and higher)

    The LTSA’s Electronic Services can be used on any computer with an Internet connection and support the following versions of Internet Explorer and Windows operating system:

    Web Browsers:

    Internet Explorer version 7
    – Apply all Microsoft software updates.
    – Support for Internet Explorer 7 will end in January 2014.

    Internet Explorer version 8
    – Apply all Microsoft software updates.
    – Support for Internet Explorer 8 will end in January 2015.

    Internet Explorer versions 9 and 10
    – Recommended. Apply all Microsoft software updates applied.

    Operating Systems

    Microsoft Windows XP
    – Apply Service Pack 3. Support will end in April 2014.

    Microsoft Windows Vista
    – Apply Service Pack 2.

    Microsoft Windows 7
    – Recommended. Apply Service Pack 1.

    Additional software is required for customers who electronically file with the LTSA. Complete system requirements can be viewed on the LTSA’s online help site.

    Customers who do not comply with the recommended system requirements may experience a less than optimal user experience or unexpected browser behavior when using the LTSA’s Electronic Services.

    For more information, please contact the BC OnLine Help Desk at 1-800-663-6102 or 250-953-8200 or BCOLHELP@APICanada.com

    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. How do I find out what version my browser is?
    Navigate to Help on the Internet Explorer menu bar and select About Internet Explorer. The pop-up will tell you what version of Internet Explorer you are using and its encryption level or “Cipher Strength”.

    2. How do I check to see if my browser is in compatibility mode?
    In Internet Explorer, click Tools and select Compatibility View Settings. Internet Explorer 8 and higher includes a Compatibility View feature, which enables the display of websites that were created for older browsers, such as Internet Explorer 7. Using compatibility mode will cause layout issues and unexpected browser behavior when using the LTSA’s Electronic Services.

    3. How do I disable compatibility mode?
    To disable compatibility mode:

    • In Internet Explorer, click Tools > Compatibility View Settings.
    • De-select the “Display all websites in Compatibility View” checkbox.
    • Note: Remove apps.ltsa.ca from the Websites you’ve added to Compatibility View field.
    • Click Close.
    • Close and reopen your browser, so that the changes take effect.

    4. What if I do not wish to disable compatibility mode?
    Compatibility mode is for viewing websites with older browser versions (i.e. IE 7). If you choose not to comply with the recommended system requirements, you may experience a less than optimal user experience and unexpected browser behavior when using the LTSA’s Electronic Services.

    5. Does the LTSA support browsers other than Internet Explorer?
    Not at this time. The LTSA recognizes that some customers prefer to use browsers other than Internet Explorer, but due to limited technical resources, other browsers are not officially supported. The LTSA’s updated system requirements for web browsers recommend HTML5 compatible browsers. HTML5 is the new industry standard and provides a faster customer experience. By following this standard, the LTSA is developing service enhancements that are expected to function with HTML5 compatible browsers such as Firefox, Chrome and Safari.

    6. Why has the LTSA updated its system requirements for browsers?
    Internet Explorer 7 was first launched in 2006 and, like Internet Explorer 8, is an older browser that will no longer be supported by Microsoft as of January 2015. For more information on Microsoft’s plans, please visit their website at www.microsoft.com

    Older browsers are more vulnerable to security risks and viruses. Security is very important to the LTSA, and as such, we will only support secure browsers. In addition, IE7 and IE8 are not HTML5 compatible. By following this standard, future service enhancements are expected to function well with HTML5 compatible browsers such as Firefox, Chrome and Safari.

    Lastly, many LTSA customers are upgrading to newer versions of Internet Explorer and are asking to use browsers other than Internet Explorer. The LTSA wants to develop services that best serve customer needs.

    7. Why do I need to disable compatibility mode?
    There is no longer a technical requirement for customers to enable compatibility mode in their browser when using the LTSA’s Electronic Services. In fact, it is discouraged for future service enhancements. Compatibility View feature, which displays websites that were created for older browsers, such as Internet Explorer 7, downgrades the user experience.

    8. Why does the LTSA plan to discontinue support of Windows XP?
    Windows XP is an older operating system that will no longer be supported by Microsoft as of April 2014. For more information on Microsoft’s plans, please visit their website atwww.microsoft.com

    Older, unsupported operating systems are more vulnerable to security risks and viruses. Security is very important to the LTSA, and as such, we have made the decision to remove Windows XP as a supported operating system.

    Land Title and Survey Authority of BC Suite 200, 1321 Blanshard Street Victoria, BC V8W 9J3 Canada
    T: 1-877-577-5872 | www.ltsa.ca

    © Copyright Land Title and Survey Authority of BC | LTSA Privacy Statement.  Reproduced with permission of the LTSA and with thanks as we enter this new age.

     

    This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 11th, 2013 at 11:48 am and is filed under Change Management, Firm Governance, Issues facing Law Firms, Law Firm Strategy, Leadership and Strategic Planning, Technology, Tips, Trends. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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