I tried to access a no longer existing website, and just got a blank screen. I had to enable tons of cascading javascript in a series of uMatrix sessions just to reach a non-blank page somewhat suggesting that the site is non-existent. Web developers unable to control their urge to do complex shit managed to botch something as simple as sending a 404 error. Thanks "parkingcrew"!
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@resist1984 Probably could have just looked at the HTTP response code unless they were not sending that correctly either.
@tilduke Perhaps, but if I have to dig up the HTTP code that's already too much effort for a dead page. Most often, blank pages are living pages that are just stupidly dependant on js. We don't generally expect dead pages to act this way. But since there are pages that manage to botch the simple task of announcing their non-existence, browsers need to get smarter about using the http code.