Firefox differs from Mozilla version in Feisty, Edgy

[Elias Aarnio]

Binary package hint: firefox

There is a dissimilarity between the Ubuntu (and Debian) versions of Firefox (IceWeasel) and the original Mozilla binary.

Symptom: There is a map service at http://80.248.160.121/vakkasuomi.paikkatietopalvelu/
The page generates only a failure message in Finnish. The page cannot be opened with Firefox versions packaged with Feisty or Egdy. This has been tested with running LiveCD-versions (Feisty, Edgy) and desktop installations (Feisty). The version used in desktop testing is 2.0.0.5

The odd thing is that the service on the page mentioned above works with the Firefox 2.0.0.5 binary downloaded from the Mozilla pages on the same platform where the Ubuntu version does not work. This has been tested in Feisty. I tested I tested with Debian 40r0, too: it does not work.

The problem is not Java related. Some functionalities of the service require Java but the map view should open even if Java is not installed. When trying to open with Feisty or Edgy the contents of the page is not opened enough to launch a Java console that pops up OK on other occasions.

This problem seems to be inexistent in RPM-based distributions: everyone I asked says the page is working. The page also works with Gutsy test version and Dapper.

It seems there is something both in Ubuntu and Debian FF packages that differs from the Mozilla binaries in such a way that the map service (link above) does not work. My concern is to get this public service usable for Ubuntu users.

[Markus Vuori (lite-deactivatedaccount)]

I can confirm this. I'm running up-to-date feisty with firefox installed from ubuntu repository.

[Paul van Genderen (paulvg)]

What does this failure message say in English?

[Elias Aarnio (elias-aarnio)]

If you mean the red error text it says "An internal error occured in the system. System administrator has been informed about this error."

[jcfp (jcfp)]

The difference appears to be firefox's user agent setting. With the default one in ubuntu, the site shows an error in finnish ("Järjestelmässä tapahtui sisäinen virhe! Virheestä on lähetetty tieto järjestelmän ylläpitäjälle.").

After changing the value of 'general.useragent.extra.firefoxComment' to empty (type 'about:config' in firefox address bar, then use the filter and clear the value), the page loads fine and shows some interactive map.

Please check. Might be of interest for bug #48316 too.

[Elias Aarnio (elias-aarnio)]

Yamal, thank you for your input. This seems to be the correct reason and your analysis that this behaviour has to do with bug #48316 is correct.

[Paul van Genderen (paulvg)]

Thank you for taking the time to report this bug and helping to make Ubuntu better. Unfortunately we can't fix it, because the problem lies with browser detection software on 3rd party servers. Since both Edgy Eft and Feisty Fawn have been officially released (as respectively version 6.10 and 7.04), browser detection programs should be updated to succesfully recognise the User-Agent strings of Firefox in those versions of Ubuntu (if they have not already done so).

Please use the workaround suggested by Yamal. Sorry for the inconvenience.

[Elias Aarnio (elias-aarnio)]

Paul,

Thank you for your reply. You are absolutely right in saying that the browser detection routine of this particular software vendor behaves strangely.

However, here is something bug-like. If the reason of the malfunction is that the User Agent strings of both some versions of Ubuntu Firefox packages and debian Iceweasel packages are faulty in the way that they do not follow the specification given by Mozilla, we should take care that the person / persons who generate these strings know about this episode.

I need some help locating them. It is even better if someone promises to get this information to them.

The "faultyness" of the User Agent string is described in bug #48316 as Yamal brought up.

[Alexander Sack (asac)]

On Thu, Aug 02, 2007 at 07:05:20AM -0000, Elias Aarnio wrote:
> The "faultyness" of the User Agent string is described in bug #48316 as
> Yamal brought up.
>

Please take a look if gutsy firefox still has this "faulty" user-agent
string. Thanks,

 - Alexander