Hello

I need to input sports result data on a website quite regularly. The table appears offset in Ubuntu (using Firefox and Chrome) ie the input boxes do not match with the vertical input descriptions. Consequently, the table is longer than it should be and the input boxes don't match up with the input descriptions. This does not happen on my Arch box - the table renders perfectly. I don't know where to start looking for a solution to this problem.

Can you provide the website? Also the versions of firefox and chrome you're using on Ubuntu 11.10 and the versions on Arch.

Arch is currently using Firefox 9 but this problem has been present for quite a number of months and version upgrades of Firefox. What happens is this : there are two input cells side by side (where I add results of football (association) matches. These cells align with a team name eg

Team One [input 1] [input 2]
Team Two [input 1] [input 2]

Firefox in Arch renders the page as intended. The input cells are aligned with the team names. This also works in Firefox in Windows.

In Ubuntu, the cells are displayed on top of each other :

Team One [input 1]
[input 2]

This, unfortunately, causes the input boxes to become misaligned ie they are no longer next to the team they are associated with.


Team One [input 1]
Team Two [input 2]
[input 1]
[input 2]

Matching teams with the correct input boxes becomes a nightmare. Aaaaargh.

I can't give you a link because it's a password protected site. Here's what it should look like:


Here's what it looks like in Ubuntu 11.10 using Firefox 9

It really shouldn't be this, but could it be your font size? did you try adjusting that in the firefox settings for ubuntu?

I have tried doing exactly that. I have even done it in reverse ie tried to make Firefox in Arch replicate the table rendering of Ubuntu. This happens with Mint too. It happens with a fresh install and a clean Firefox config.

Yeah, that's messed up.

Yep. It's goodbye Ubuntu on the laptop in question (my children will be so happy : "Dad! Dad! Unity makes us move the mouse too much!") Now ... where's that Arch install CD? Thanks for trying to help.

Yeah, I'm no Ubuntu fan at all. I only just installed Arch on VirtualBox (running inside of Slackware). I'm a bit disappointed that I had to download and install X separately, but otherwise I liked it. Still like how Slackware is minimal enough and yet full enough that I don't have to worry about anything except wmii.

I don't dislike Ubuntu. It really has saved my bacon a few times eg accessing virus infested computers and rescuing data from "dead" computers for clients. I also love the way that a full install takes no time at all and then a few extras (ms fonts and codecs)are all that are needed. I don't use it on my main systems because I prefer the simplicity and control of Arch. I like to know what is where and how to fix it. This is what keeps driving me away from having Ubuntu on any of my systems - situations like this where I can't understand why something is not working and there seems to be no obvious solution. I will always keep an Ubuntu live CD in my "toolbag" though.

For the record, I also like Slackware but the simplicity of pacman in Arch is the deal-breaker for me.

Cheers
Stephen

I hear you. I guess I "grew up" in linux without a package manager, so I cringe every time I have to use one. I feel like I've lost control of some part of the process. I keep slax in my "toolbag" as well. Takes a few seconds to boot and it's fantastic. Admittedly installing Slackware isn't a 5 minute process (especially if you use FDE like I do) but it's worth the wait for me.

I have closure!! I was focusing too much on which fonts might be missing from my system. In actual fact, the problem was caused by the Ubuntu font family. Once removed, Dejavu Sans stepped up to the plate and did the job correctly. Superb. I go into the weekend ready for anything.

Congratulations!