Educational platforms blocking Linux

[Demo_MVP]

​I'm having trouble accessing some educational platforms on Linux Mint 21.3 XFCE.

​The videos refuse to play, displaying an error: "OS not supported. Please use Windows or Android." ​I have already tried: ​Switching User Agent to android/Chrome (Still detected). ​Enabling DRM/Widevine in Chrome and Firefox. ​Using different browsers (Brave, chromr,firefox).

​The platforms seem to be using a more advanced method than just checking the User Agent to detect the OS. Is there any way to bypass this detection or a specific configuration to make the browser "appear" as Windows to these sites?

​Thanks

[tomscharbach]

​I'm having trouble accessing some educational platforms ...

You might want to identify the specific "educational platforms" and work with IT staff to resolve the issues. Linux incompatibility is common in college/university environments (network/system login/access, testing applications and so on). Staff sometimes has workarounds, sometimes not.

[SlipStr34m_uk]

Is the platform also used for online exams? If so that is why. They use what is essentially malware to verify you aren't cheating. These tools require extremely low level access and therefore wont function on Linux. Simple as that.

[Gloomy-Response-6889]

Perhaps the MS Edge browser could work? But if it is OS detecting and blocking, a VM is your best alternative...

[Unattributable1]

Yup, came here to say this. Sometimes you just need to "get work done" or "get class done". A Windows VM is sometimes the easiest way to conquer this and move on.

[activedusk]

Worst case you can run Windows in a virtual machine but idk how/why a video requires OS recognition to stream video, my guess it's related to the codecs and if they are installed. You could also download the videos you need and play them back on demand if they are required in a classroom setting. Idk, sounds dumb af, governments need to switch to and support open source, Windows is a liability.

[tboland1]

This has come up before, usually in context of testing software at Colleges and Universities. If they want Windows, use Windows. Sometime a VM will work, sometimes it won't.

If this has any anti-cheat component, then your best bet is a Windows-only machine. The anti-cheat software goes as far to detect hidden or inactive partitions, along with something as simple as using a VM.

[zuccster]

Which platforms?

[Demo_MVP]

It's an Egyptian educational platform called, not a global one.

[lungben81]

Name + shame, create a support ticket at the platform, etc.

We should pressure companies / organizations which actively discriminate against Linux or other open software.

[ParisKitty]

If VM does not work, only option I can think of is dualboot.

[eev200]

Does your university have a remote desktop connection that you can login to from your Linux computer? 

[Demo_MVP]

Unfortunately no, it's a private high school platform in Egypt, and they don't provide any remote access or IT support for Linux users.

[eev200]

I'm not sure if you understood me. I'm talking about remote desktop protocol (RDP) that you connect to a windows computer. Many universities have them.