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Because Acid2 needed another sequel, Acid3 tests browsers

Posted by Derik DeLong | Thursday, March 06, 2008 6:34 AM PT

Acid3 We’re all very proud of how quickly Apple was able to whip Safari into shape when handling the Acid2 test. Because we can’t leave well enough alone, those web standards people have come up with a new test, the Acid3 test.

The Acid3 Test is designed to test specifications for Web 2.0, and exposes potential flaws in implementations of the public ECMAScript 262 and W3C Document Object Model 2 standards. Collectively known as DOM Scripting, it is these technologies that enable advanced page interactivity and power many advanced web applications such as web-based email and online office applications.

Now even the web standards people are using the term Web 2.0, but also seem confused as to what it means. More meaningfully, it tests scripting implementations that are key for more interactive websites.

Feel free to point your browser at the test. It’s got a fun little test compliance rating. While the current Safari manages a mere 39 (when I tried it), more recent development builds reach upward of 90/100. I just wonder how long before it reaches perfect compliance and how long after that we get that update (whether it improves our user experience is up for debate).

Comments (4)

In the long run it *will* enhance the user experience on the web.

As browsers improve support for standards, web developers will be able to make better websites.

You have no idea how much hair pulling and screaming IE's lame standards support is inflicting on web designers.

We're really grateful that some browser makers take this stuff seriously.

Jimmi
March 06, 2008
6:54 AM PT

I'm at work stuck on a PC right now.
Safari 3 scored 39
Firefox 2 scored 50
Explorer 6 scored 12

March 06, 2008
7:53 AM PT

I just tried it out on my G5, and something unexpected happened. About halfway through, I got a dialog box asking me to accept an Adobe license for a bunch of viewers. I clicked "Accept" (was that a stupid move?), and Safari crashed!

Alterbentzion
March 06, 2008
8:04 AM PT

Like krye, I'm on a PC - I get the same numbers, with IE 7 also getting 12 ...

... I think.

I can't tell if the test is finished, the text is so mangled.

Anonymous
March 06, 2008
8:50 AM PT

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