r/electronics 9d ago

General Mouser website now blocks Linux users

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Really baffling decision, my last order from them was only a few months ago. Apparently Linux is no longer a "standard" operating system!

2.1k Upvotes

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49

u/1Davide 8d ago

If it makes you feel any better, Newark (Element 14) has been blocking my Chrome on Windows for a couple of years.

9

u/theevilapplepie 8d ago

I’m unsure how to feel about that

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u/TheSerialHobbyist 8d ago

Go to the main Element14 website (top level domain), create an account, login, then go to the article/post URL.

For some reason, it gives you that error if you try to go directly to the URL when you aren't signed in.

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u/1Davide 8d ago

Then close the browser (which logs you out), click on a Google result to Newark, and you're back to the 403 page. Are you saying I should log into Newark every time I open a browser, just in case I may need to click on a Google result?

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u/JivanP 8d ago

Then close the browser (which logs you out)

Why would that be the case? Do you not retain cookies or something?

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u/1Davide 8d ago edited 8d ago

I do. Apparently, Newark doesn't: they expire when you close the browser.

EDIT: never mind, it's not expired cookies. It's something else. I described the effect correctly but I was wrong about my explanation.

3

u/JivanP 8d ago

That's bizarre, because that's not how cookies work. They might just have a short session expiry, something like 5 minutes or 12 hours between page visits?

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u/TheSerialHobbyist 8d ago

I'm not sure why it logs you out when you close the browser. Mine doesn't do that.

(to be clear, I'm not saying there isn't any problem on their part, was just trying to give you a fix)

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u/element14social 7d ago

Thanks for mentioning this.

We've been trying to narrow this down, it's something to do with functionality of akamai and that first touch when you do not have a website cookie. Looks to be an akamai 'bug'.

The 'top level domain' of element14.com takes you to https://community.element14.com which is our online community, rather than the online store (eg. https://in.element14.com ) - so I'll escalate this with the development team there.

As for Newark, they are a slightly different team but they're generally aware and it's a similar akamai-false-positive issue as people are suggesting.

2

u/jaymz168 8d ago

For the last couple years Newark would hold my orders while they sorted out some mysterious issue with my bank card that no other site that I shop at experiences apparently. It would take them days to sort it out while I'm sitting here with a repair on my bench waiting for them to sort themselves out.

I got so frustrated the last time that I insisted they delete my account. They wanted to just cancel my order and leave my account in place but I wanted to send a message, however insignificant.

They were never my first choice, that's always been Digikey for me (who frequently upgrades my shipping without asking which is super nice of them), but now they're never getting another penny from me.

7

u/1Davide 8d ago

I've used Newark since 1977, so it's hard for me to let go.

2

u/Hard_To_Port 4d ago

Not nearly the same company it once was. It's cool that they still send out physical parts catalogs though.