Debug Issues - User Settings

[ngdoherty]

Hi,

This is going to be vague but I'm hoping you will have a few ideas.

I am using thrid party software on my site, mix of javascript, PHP and mySQL. This works well in general - but there are regular cases where users experience different results.

So for example if this was a booking engine - users would get different prices.

The probelm is that I (or the developer) can not replicate the issue, all works fine. So the problem must be related to the Users browser or security (anti-virus/firewall) settings.

I have tried on a couple of occasions asking what the user and in general its XP SP2 and IE6/7 - so standard enough.

So the questions are how do I debug this issue?
What could be causing the differences, are there javascript subtleties?
Where should I start in trying to create the issue - what browser setting would affect javascript / security (other than enabling/ disabling)?

Is there any command or software which a user could run to export their setting so that I could do a comparison?

As I said it's all a bit vague but I'm hoping you can help.

Thanks

 

[BillyRayPreachersSon]

Where should I start in trying to create the issue

I think you should start by not assuming this:

The probelm is that I (or the developer) can not replicate the issue, all works fine. So the problem must be related to the Users browser or security (anti-virus/firewall) settings.

You cannot seriously assume that because you cannot reproduce it, that the problem is not with your code.

Do you have back-end unit tests in place? Does the 3rd party software you are using have them? You should ask this of the provider. Perhaps do some searching to see if others who also use the same 3rd-party software have similar issues?

Yes - it may be a JS issue, but I'm inclined to think it less likely.

Hope this helps,
Dan

Coedit Limited - Delivering standards compliant, accessible web solutions

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[ngdoherty]

Hi Dan,

Thanks for the reply.

I probably should have stated that I most definetly know that there is some issue with the code - but that the issue seems to be "triggered" by different user settings. I can't think of another reason why there is a difference.

In relation to "back-end" testing the developer has stated that they test across multiple browsers and versions.

I myself have tested on IE5,6,7 and FF1.x,2.x

As I said I don't have any problem - but there is definetly one.

Any reason why you think it may not be JS?
Any recommendations on how I could debug this?

Thanks