Every WebKit-based Browser Crashes Sites Using Omniture. Why?
A recent issue has plagued users of WebKit-based browsers, causing websites utilizing Adobe Omniture to crash. This article delves into the reasons behind this widespread problem.
The Problem
Numerous reports have surfaced from users of browsers like Safari, Chrome, and Opera experiencing crashes while navigating websites that employ Omniture for analytics and marketing purposes. These crashes often manifest as browser freezes, unresponsive pages, or complete system hangs.
The Culprit: JavaScript Error
Root Cause
The culprit behind these crashes is a specific JavaScript error triggered by a combination of Omniture’s code and certain browser configurations. The error arises when Omniture’s library tries to access a property of a specific JavaScript object, which is missing or undefined in certain situations.
Example
// Hypothetical code snippet
var s_object = document.getElementById('myDiv'); // Assuming 'myDiv' doesn't exist
s_object.className = 'custom-class'; // Throws error
In this example, the code attempts to access a property of a non-existent element, resulting in an error.
Triggering Conditions
- Specific browser versions or configurations
- Particular page layouts or content
- Certain user interactions
Why WebKit-based Browsers?
WebKit-based browsers are more susceptible to this issue due to differences in how their JavaScript engines handle errors. Specifically, WebKit’s error handling mechanisms may be more sensitive to the type of error thrown by Omniture’s code.
Solutions
The following solutions are being explored to address this problem:
Omniture Patch
Adobe is actively working on a patch for their Omniture library to prevent the error from occurring in the first place. This involves revising the code to handle missing or undefined properties gracefully.
Browser Updates
Browser developers are also releasing updates to their JavaScript engines, incorporating improved error handling strategies. These updates aim to mitigate the impact of this specific error, making websites with Omniture more stable.
Impact
This issue has negatively affected website users, developers, and businesses alike.
User Experience
Users have encountered frustrations and disruptions while browsing websites that depend on Omniture. The crashes can be disruptive and frustrating, hindering user experience and productivity.
Website Performance
Websites with Omniture implementations have suffered performance issues, affecting page load times and user engagement.
Business Implications
Businesses reliant on Omniture for data collection, marketing, and user behavior analysis have faced challenges due to the crashes. Data integrity and customer experience are both at risk.
Conclusion
The crashes affecting WebKit-based browsers using Omniture are a complex issue with multifaceted causes. However, ongoing efforts by both Adobe and browser developers are providing solutions. As these solutions are implemented, we can expect a smoother user experience and a more stable browsing environment for websites utilizing Omniture.