Utilising Firefox (current ver. 78.15.0esr) totry to access Ancestry.com
I use Firefox (78.15.0esr) to access Ancestry.com. I use a MacBookPro 15in (late 2013) fully rammed etc. Also tried the same procedure on another MacBookPro 13in (late 2015) with same result. Also updated Java to ensure latest version.
Problem 1. Having problems utilising there Messaging system and
Problem 2. Cannot see Graphics (i.e. pictures attached to individual record files [though thumbnail's can be seen]).
What I have done: I approached Ancestry and was sent several generic FAQ URL's (https://support.ancestry.com/s/article/Fixing-Page-or-Button-Problems-on-Ancestry?language=en_US) suggesting clear cache etc. • Have tried all of their 'suggestions' (and on a second computer) with no benefit. Any ideas on what I could do to rectify the issues? • The people assisting don't appear to understand HTML.
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It is possible that the Ancestry website no longer supports your Firefox 78.15.0 version.
Firefox 78.15.0 is the last version for your Mac OS X platform (update channel: mozilla-mac-eol-esr1) and you will no longer receive updates, so you are out of luck if you can't update your OS. Current releases require Mac OS X 10.12 or newer.
Firefox 78.15.0 on the Mozilla CDN server:
jim.challenor said
Also updated Java to ensure latest version.
Not sure why you would need the Java Plugin from Oracle for and Java and JavaScript are two separate things. The NPAPI Plugins has not been allowed to run in Firefox since Firefox 52.0 (apart for Flash for a while after) https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/npapi-plugins. So the Java Plugin would not run in Fx 78 anyways.
Corel: Thank you for the response. I am not aware of any issues with conflict with OS (Nothing posted or identified), so I made a point to check/update the most recent browser (Firefox). Most of the rest of the Ancestry system appears to work fine. If a Browser/OS issue was apparent I would suspect that nothing wold work.
James: Thank you for the response. I have used Firefox as my preferred Browser (and is indicated as one of the preferred browsers for Ancestry). I previously taught online at University for years, and one of the issues found at some stage was an out of date Java (hence the reference to updating). This was done in the forlorn hope of fixing the problem.
The reason for posting in this forum was to seek any insight into why it may not be working. Surely I wouldn't be the only person affected.
You can check the Web Console for relevant-looking messages.
Hello Cor-el,
Thank you for the lead. I will check out what I can find to see if I can 'solve' the issue.
Interestingly, the rest of the site is working fine, and only two specific processes (i.e. 1. access to Messages and 2. the ability to access the graphics that are linked to specific identities. Pictures in various other contexts can be seen. However, if I go to open any other graphic (e.g. to check the detail etc), then they do not open up as well.
There are no error messages given at any stage.
And whilst it is almost impossible to make contact with Tech Help with Ancestry, they appear vague at best with any aspect of functional HTML, or the action of the Firefox browser, making it even more frustrating.
Previous events (i.e. issues with Firefox with Ancestry) resolved, but it appears that the technical support appear to have resolved it 'by mistake' rather than understanding or appreciating the issue. I suspect that this current issue is the same.
Very few, if any others, report the issue due to the frustration of extremely poor technical support, hence the unknown aspect of the problem. regards Jim
Hello James,
I note your response on the Java when I noted that I updated the Java software (Jre.8u351) on my computer (Note: not a Java plug in).
I use BBEdit sometimes to look for issues (only a learner, but know enough to get into trouble). When I copy and open URL's from Ancestry I note that Java (many .js files are included in the programing) is indicated.
Using BBEdit I was able to tease out some .png files. Interestingly I was able to load these files in a browser (e.g. "https://www.ancestrycdn.com/mediaui-viewer/images/filter-vivid-35d05489.png" and "https://www.ancestrycdn.com/mediaui-viewer/images/adjust-43645cb1.svg". Both of these files loaded fine.
So the likely culprit is some level of programing that has changed at some stage.
regards Jim
.js files are JavaScript files and not Java files. The current way to use Java in a broswer is via Java Web Start (JWS). A Java Web Start JNLP file is basically a XML file that the server sends as application/x-java-jnlp-file and that is opened by the default application for this MIME type (Java Web Start).
Hello Cor-el,
Thanks for the response and the info.
Whilst I have enough knowledge to get me into trouble (the use of Java and java like files and systems) I cannot claim to know enough to appreciate the full value of your response(s).
I wonder, is it possible for Firefox to operate 'partially' but not fully (In using Ancestry only two parts appear to not work Graphics and their internal mail system). They claim that it is Firefox (or extensions of Firefox), but that makes no sense to me. Most of their system works, so I get the feeling that what is going on is that parts of the 'script' is in conflict with the Firefox I use.
Is this logical?
Can I go back to them and ask that they problem solve from thier end?
Thank you in anticipation.
Regards
Jim
cor-el said
.js files are JavaScript files and not Java files. The current way to use Java in a broswer is via Java Web Start (JWS). A Java Web Start JNLP file is basically a XML file that the server sends as application/x-java-jnlp-file and that is opened by the default application for this MIME type (Java Web Start).