Bank of America is asking me to agree to a “Electronic Communications Disclosure” which includes the following text:

(5) Hardware and Software Requirements

While you may be able to access and retain the Communications using other hardware and software, your personal computer needs to support the following requirements:

For Online Banking:

• An operating system, such as:
  • Windows NT, 2000, ME, XP, Vista, or Win 7; or
  • Macintosh OS 10.x
• Access to the Internet and an Internet browser which supports HTML 4.0 and 128bit SSL encryption and Javascript, such as:
  • For PC using Windows NT, 2000, ME, XP, Vista, or Win 7
    • Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 and higher
    • Firefox 3 and higher
    • Chrome 3.0 and higher
  • For Macintosh using OS 10.x
    • Safari 3.0 and higher
    • Firefox 3 and higher
    • Chrome 4.0 and higher

For Merrill Lynch brokerage websites:

• You must have access to a personal computer with browser software such as Microsoft Internet Explorer; Adobe Acrobat Reader; and Internet access (at your cost).
  • Browser and reader versions necessary to view the Merrill Lynch brokerage websites are as follows:
    • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6.0 and later
    • Firefox version 3.5 and later
    • Safari version 3.2 and later

Most Communications provided within Online Banking, Merrill Lynch brokerage websites or at other Bank of America websites are provided either in HTML and/or PDF format. For Communications provided in PDF format, Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.0 or later versions is required – A free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader may be obtained from the Adobe website at www.adobe.com.
Download Adobe Reader for free. Link opens new window.

In certain circumstances, some Communications may be provided by e-mail. You are responsible for providing us with a valid e-mail address to accept delivery of Communications.

To print or download Communications you must have a printer connected to your computer or sufficient hard-drive space (approximately 1 MB) to store the Communications.

Does this entire section say anything other than “You have to have an operating system and a web browser, and sometimes a way to view PDF files, and here are some programs you can use.”? Why bother writing it at all?