[Webkit-unassigned] [Bug 6871] New: 401 error page is never shown

[bugzilla-daemon at opendarwin.org]

http://bugzilla.opendarwin.org/show_bug.cgi?id=6871

           Summary: 401 error page is never shown
           Product: WebKit
           Version: 417.x
          Platform: Macintosh
               URL: http://www.science.uva.nl/research/air/network/
        OS/Version: Mac OS X 10.4
            Status: UNCONFIRMED
          Severity: normal
          Priority: P2
         Component: New Bugs
        AssignedTo: webkit-unassigned at opendarwin.org
        ReportedBy: public at macfreek.nl


If a browser receives a client error (4xx) message upon sending a HTTP request,
the server typically includes a diagnostic message. The "404" pages are well
known to most people.

According to the specification (RFC2068, section 10.4), "the server SHOULD
include an entity containing an explanation of the error situation, and whether
it is a temporary or permanent condition. These status codes are applicable to
any request method. User agents SHOULD display any included entity to the
user."

For 404 and 403 messages, Safari does display the diagnostic webpage. However,
for 401 (Unauthorized), it does not, but shows the preceeding page. Safari
'SHOULD' do show the diagnostic page instead. now, the user misses important
information.

Example to reproduce:
1. Open Safari
2. Go to http://www.science.uva.nl/research/air/network/
3. Press cancel

Expected results:
I would exepct to see the diagnostic page, which you can get with "curl
http://www.science.uva.nl/research/air/network/"

Actual results:
I see the previously visited page (or a blank page if I did not visit a page
before).

Work around:
There is no work-around, other then using an other browser.

Isolation:
This behaviour does occur with 401 pages, not with 403 or 404 pages. I haven't
tried with other result codes.
This bug has been reported as rdar:3631782 with Apple, in june 2004. I hope it
does get some more attention here.


-- 
Configure bugmail: http://bugzilla.opendarwin.org/userprefs.cgi?tab=email
------- You are receiving this mail because: -------
You are the assignee for the bug, or are watching the assignee.