132280 - Weird interaction between downloads and cache

Status: RESOLVED DUPLICATE of bug 55307

(SeaMonkey :: Download & File Handling, defect)

Description

[xyzzy]

Win98 build 2002031903:

1. Clear the disk and memory cache.
2. Enter this in the URL bar and hit enter:
http://ftp.cvshome.org/win32/cvs-1-10.zip
3. Remove the destination file, and repeat step 2.

Actual results:  The file seems to be "downloaded" from the cache, and completes
instantaneously.

I doubt the file in step 2 is significant, but HTTP transfer might be.  In any
case, choose a file large enough so that it cannot be transferred
instantaneously except via the cache.

Here are some of the problems I've noticed because of this:

1) Should this really be cached?

Perhaps so, but if we pop up a transfer dialog, it is a bit disconcerting if the
file completes this fast when it is obvious the bandwidth won't support it.  Can
the dialog somehow indicate that it was pulled from the cache?  I'd assume it
would only be pulled from the cache if the last modified, content length, etc.
all agree with the server version anyway...

2) On occasion with previous builds, the download would complete almost
instantly, but the completion indicator would not ever update (much less show
100%).  I think this is bug 129409.

3) This screws up some of the Download Manager's fields, like Transferred.

Comment 1

[Darin Fisher]

this sounds like a front end issue to me... there are ways to tell if a download
is being streamed from the cache.  or the download manager / any progress meter
might want to have some small startup delay before assuming the download will
take noticeable time to complete... as you see, i'm no UI expert ;-)

-> xpapps

Comment 2

[Darin Fisher]

-> xpapps

Comment 3

[Samir Gehani]

-> Download Manager

Comment 4

[mental]

*** Bug 142312 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***

Comment 5

[Jussi Sirpoma]

Just noticed this same problem when trying to download a new mozilla build. It
could be related to, or it could be solved by fixing bug 138117. At least,
getting the file from cache would not be an issue, if the completed downloads
are removed from there.

Comment 6

[charles allen]

I can confirm this.  It cause a big problem for me because I didn't realize it
downloaded from the cache.  

I think the severity should be changed to major.

Here's the situation:
Monday I download a pricelist, find an error and report it.
Tuesday I'm told a new pricelist exists.  I download it again and get the old
pricelist.  I call to complain and they swear the new price is up.  I download
with  IE and guess what?  They're right!  The pricelist was updated overnight,
but mozilla refuses to download the new pricelist.   Yes, I rebooted the pc in
between.
 
If it matters, it is an excel file linked by http:

Using WindowsXP, Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.2)
Gecko/20021126

Comment 7

[R.K.Aa.]

*** This bug has been marked as a duplicate of 55307 ***