Bug Affects Users of Ubuntu OS With Firefox Browser - By Jordan Farrell - 15 Mar, 2010
Yes, we have noticed that our "Shop" button appears differently to systems that use Ubuntu & Firefox. It is only this unique combination that is affected by the bug, which makes that button float lower than all the rest of the navigation buttons.
I take pride in the fact that I support Linux Ubuntu and use it almost exclusively, with the exception of virtual machines. I discoverd Ubuntu over a year ago, and have been hooked ever since. Despite all the benefits of Ubuntu, it was only recently that I converted my wife to a proud Ubuntu user. (This was after the demise of one of her hard drives as a result of Windows Vista thrashing.) Naturally, this means our websites are originally developed on Ubuntu OS, and optimized first for Firefox, which is our browser of choice.
Unfortunately, I have discovered a minor bug in Firefox exclusive to Ubuntu. Currently, there is nothing I can do about it, because the bug exists on the browser and is out of my control. When you first enter the site you will notice that the "Shop" button appears normal, (for example if you enter the site directly by entering the URL, or are referred to the index page directly from another site or search engine). Once you refresh or navigate to a new page, however, the button sags lower than the rest of the navigation, even if it is the active button. It is still accessible, but definitely annoying and different. I confirmed that this is a bug by viewing the site in the other Ubuntu browser Epiphnany. KDE users can also confirm that this does not happen by checking the site in Konquer. Just to make sure, I then fired up Virtual Box with Win XP and proceeded to start Safari, Opera, Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer 8 and IE8 in compatibility mode (AKA IE7 mode). Every other browser, including Firefox on Win XP, displays the "Shop" button correctly positioned next to the others at the same height, every time. Hell, even the "rogue" Internet Explorer shows the buttons correctly aligned!
I am not upset with Firefox, however. Every system has flaws, just as everyone makes mistakes (I am no exception). I have taken the correct actions for FOSS software and filed a bug report with Bugzilla, detailing the problem with references to my site, so they may see the bugger in action. It is Bug Ticket Number 552693. So I look forward to the next release of Firefox for Ubuntu and hope to see this bug resolved. Because if "Windoz" can figure it out, I'm certain the Firefox community can, too.
I realize this article only applies to a tiny percentage of our viewers, but we hope that you'll catch this article before you consider passing judgement on a visual discrepancy for which we have no control. And if you are one of the "lucky" Ubuntu Firefox users, you happen to be in good company! Thanks for reading.
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WolfRage (Wed, 17 Mar 2010 1:37:44)
I never expected such a fast solution to a problem! Thanks to Kevin Brosnan for a fix action. Kevin's reply to my Bug: "In screen.css setting the width of #div3 to 1103px or greater removes the issue. This is due to fonts having different widths at the same pixel size.
For an example of a font set for Linux that has the same width as the MS core fonts see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberation_fonts"
The fix has been put in place and I am continuing to discuss the Bug a little further before we mark it resolved.
Proof Bugzilla works and works well!