Javascript page reloads/refreshes and layout changes
 

Issues with a couple of the recent FT design changes.

The changes include:
- moving the pagination links ("Page 2 or 8. 1,2,3... 8") etc to the footer
- the introduction of adverts on the right hand side of the page (desktop browsers).
- change to the nature of adverts inserted between posts on the thread.

While I have no real issue with the first of these (beyond it being far more awkward to use and I think a mistake design wise), the second two are making FT unusable.

The issue is the javascript reloads as you scroll the document, to update the sidebar adverts, and insert/remove them between posts.
This is causing safari on the mac to go mental, pages scrolling up when you scroll down, content elements jumping all over the place.

The site is almost unusable. Sometimes it is completely unusable.

I'm using the latest version of Safari, on the latest version of OSX. Running on very recent (but pre-touchbar) 13" MBP.

I write this as someone who has a good understanding of the document object model, and the use of javascript to rewrite documents.

Either this has not been sufficiently tested, or the adverts in all markets are not being properly vetted and some of them are not working well with it. The nature of the adverts (both individually and relative to each other) definitely plays a role, but that does not mean the blame should be placed at their door. The level of re-writing is too high IMO.

Okay, this is actually unusable now.

I can't say when it happened, as I don't use FT every day at present but it is recent.

Now getting stuck in feedback loops:
javascript determines page not scrolling length, therefore doesn't do a certain page layout.
Inserts adverts appropriate for non-scrolling layout.
Advert insertion makes page scroll, javascript updates page presentation to reflect scrolling layout.
Changes adverts to suit scrolling layout.
Page no longer scrolls due to changes.
Goto 1.

Gets stuck in this loop (loading quickly through loads of adverts) until a combination appears that stabilises. Or until I click back.

13" MBP running Safari should certainly be in any test bank.

Is there any way to turn off the dynamic scrolling through the paginated pages? I'd like to see if that solves the problem.

I am also having similar issues with Safari on two separate laptops. Infinite scroll is disabled in my preferences. I've experienced freezes followed by browser crashes on both machines. Reports sent to Apple®.

And once again, it crashes. :rolleyes:

We are looking into this -- thank you for your reports!