Re: [libreoffice-users] Re: Message as sent yesterday

Mike Scott wrote:
> On 30/01/15 19:41, libreoffice-ml.mbourne@spamgourmet.com wrote:
> > It looks like I was a bit quick to blame IE. It turns out it's 1 of the
> > 3 mirrors in the UK which is misbehaving. Doesn't affect other browsers,
> > as they seem to just use the .msi extension from the download URI,
> > whereas IE uses the Content-Type header returned by the server and
> > changes the extension to match.
>
> Nevertheless, arguably incorrect browser behaviour. From the user's
> perspective, he's offered a file with a specific name and type on the
> server, and would expect it to appear with that name, especially as the
> application type is invisible to the user.

To be fair, the URI doesn't necessarily reflect the true type. e.g. a 
PHP script can generate a PDF based on database content, but it's not 
very helpful if downloading that leads to a file with PDF content but a 
.php extension. I guess that's the kind of problem IE is trying to solve 
by using the Content-Type to determine the file name. One of those cases 
where it can't be right all the time either way.

There is a separate header (Content-Disposition I think, off the top of 
my head) where a filename can be specified, but the mirror in question 
doesn't send that header at all. I think I've found before that IE does 
honour that header if it's set.

> If there's an
> extension/app-type mismatch, I for one would expect a warning at least
> before changing the extension. To be fair, the download dialogue already
> shows the incorrect extension, and it can be changed in the 'file open'
> dialogue if the user knows to do so. But IMO it shouldn't be so :-{

You only see that dialog if you choose Save > Save As when IE prompts 
for what to do with the download. If you just click "Save", it saves to 
a default folder with the default filename (.man in this case).

> I notice the failing server also helpfully truncates all the file names
> to the same short string on the download web page, so the user cannot
> see what the name should be. (At least, that's how it looks in front of
> me now).

That's not so helpful, although you wouldn't usually see that list at 
all when downloading via libreoffice.org.

> Perhaps they would best be removed from the list of mirrors
> until they sort out their act.

Having identified the problematic mirror, hopefully something will be 
done - either getting them to fix their configuration or, as you 
suggest, removing them from the list.

Mark.


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