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lovinglinux
July 21st, 2010, 04:50 AM
Mozilla recently released the first beta version of Firefox 4 (http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/beta/). Although is probably too early for using it on a regular basis, specially if you have tons of extensions installed, is a great opportunity to help shape the next generation of the best web browser.

Mozilla included with the browser a feedback extension, that allows you to easily send your opinion about Firefox 4. There is only two options to select from the feedback menu: "Firefox Made Me Happy Because..." and "Firefox Made Me Sad Because...". When you select one of those, a custom web page is displayed, where you can specify your choice.




http://tinyurl.com/266a437

http://tinyurl.com/2avhc4q


The most interesting feature is a dashboard (https://input.mozilla.com/) that shows how many users are happy and sad, along with the messages and other statistics.

When you submit a feedback, Firefox detects the browser page you are viewing at the moment and automatically adds a tag to your submission. When browsing the dashboard, you can see the stats for specific features by using the search tool. For instance, you can type add-ons manager, to see what other users think about the new redesigned interface of that tool.


http://tinyurl.com/2frlkuj


This is a great opportunity to show what you like and don't like about Firefox 4 and also to report problems with the beta release.

you can also request new features or improvements at https://firefox.uservoice.com/forums/57440-firefox-4-beta

So grab your beta version and start submitting feedbacks. You can easily test Firefox 4 without affecting your default user profile and Firefox installation with FoxTester (http://foxtester-extension.blogspot.com/) extension for Ubuntu Firefox.

marshmallow1304
July 21st, 2010, 05:53 AM
Great. BTW, that's a very handy addon. I have a suggestion for it: make an option to make a copy of the current profile and load it up in the launched instance of FF.

lovinglinux
July 21st, 2010, 06:06 AM
Great. BTW, that's a very handy addon. I have a suggestion for it: make an option to make a copy of the current profile and load it up in the launched instance of FF.

The problem is that the extension install all versions and create each corresponding profiles inside the foxtester folder under the profile where the extension is installed. So it would create some design problems and confusion, since the new profile would have a FoxTester of it's own.

So I have decided too keep things simpler. If you want to test the new version with your current profile, you can make the version default through the extension menu and then restart. It will use your default profile and will be launched when you click a Firefox launcher in your panels or menu. If something goes wrong you can easily revert to the default version from the extension menu.

marshmallow1304
July 21st, 2010, 07:23 AM
Thanks for the explanation. It works a treat.

murderslastcrow
July 21st, 2010, 08:49 AM
Lookin' good! Is that in KDE 4? Is Firefox also qt-based, now, or is that just the theme you're using?

lovinglinux
July 21st, 2010, 09:23 AM
Lookin' good! Is that in KDE 4? Is Firefox also qt-based, now, or is that just the theme you're using?

Yes, it is KDE 4.4. Firefox is not qt-based and I'm not using any Firefox theme on those screenshots. The thing is that I use QTCurve in KDE, so it changes GTK applications accordingly.

Firefox 4 will change until the final release, since Linux doesn't have the new interface yet, like Windows. The new Win interface is awesome. See attach.

murderslastcrow
July 21st, 2010, 10:18 AM
That is quite nice. The lack of GTK blending with emerald and ARGB support being common and pluggable across QT, GTK, and Emerald/Aurorae engines is probably why we don't see more of these kinds of blended themes.

I'm looking forward to it, though, since they said it'll be made to look consistent across platforms. Yeah, I've noticed that different applications (Miro vs. GIMP) use different kinds of buttons in their qtcurve implementations. I wonder why some are rounded and some are cubic. Qtcurve is pretty nice, but the lack of radials in GTK engines can make some color schemes a hassle to work with (black backgrounds for instance) anyway.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to using Firefox 4 when it's out, even if it lacks round menus. ^,~

lovinglinux
July 21st, 2010, 10:05 PM
Looks like Firefox 4.0 Beta 2 is coming out today. It is planned for July 23, but I already received a message that I can update my extensions to work with it and with Firefox 4.0b3pre.

The Real Dave
July 22nd, 2010, 12:41 AM
Looks like Firefox 4.0 Beta 2 is coming out today. It is planned for July 23, but I already received a message that I can update my extensions to work with it and with Firefox 4.0b3pre.

Doesn't appear to be out yet, at least, not on the ftp site (http://releases.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/).

TheNerdAL
July 22nd, 2010, 12:48 AM
I want to install it. How do I install Firefox 4 in Ubuntu 10.04? :( Do I have to remove the current Firefox?

lovinglinux
July 22nd, 2010, 03:53 AM
I want to install it. How do I install Firefox 4 in Ubuntu 10.04? :( Do I have to remove the current Firefox?

No, you can install along with your current version. You can either do it manually (http://firefox-tutorials.blogspot.com/2010/05/installing-other-versions.html) or use my FoxTester (http://foxtester-extension.blogspot.com) extension.

lovinglinux
July 22nd, 2010, 03:55 AM
Doesn't appear to be out yet, at least, not on the ftp site (http://releases.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/).

Looks like it will be released on Friday as planned.

cogar66
July 22nd, 2010, 06:55 AM
Yes, it is KDE 4.4. Firefox is not qt-based and I'm not using any Firefox theme on those screenshots. The thing is that I use QTCurve in KDE, so it changes GTK applications accordingly.

Firefox 4 will change until the final release, since Linux doesn't have the new interface yet, like Windows. The new Win interface is awesome. See attach.

I spy Opera.

lovinglinux
July 22nd, 2010, 06:58 AM
I spy Opera.

Indeed.

lovinglinux
July 22nd, 2010, 01:20 PM
Another interesting article

Firefox 4 Beta Interface Study (http://mozillalabs.com/testpilot/2010/07/21/firefox-4-beta-interface-study/).

BTW, Firefox 4 is really fast. Unfortunately, most of the 60 extensions I use are not compatible yet. So I'm stuck with 3.6.6 for now.

The Real Dave
July 22nd, 2010, 01:35 PM
Another interesting article

Firefox 4 Beta Interface Study (http://mozillalabs.com/testpilot/2010/07/21/firefox-4-beta-interface-study/).

BTW, Firefox 4 is really fast. Unfortunately, most of the 60 extensions I use are not compatible yet. So I'm stuck with 3.6.6 for now.

60? :shock:

There's only four important one's that I love, Adblock, Download Statusbar, DownloadHelper and Ghostery. All of those work with FF 4B1, so I simply replaced my Firefox panel launcher with one that points to a folder in my ~ containing Firefox 4B1. It detects profiles and everything automatically, and I can still run the older version by just closing all the open windows and running Firefox from the menu.

It also means that I'll be able to move up to other versions painlessly :)

wkhasintha
July 22nd, 2010, 01:39 PM
Gee , I gotta install it on windows for the new UI hasn't released for Linux yet :(

lovinglinux
July 22nd, 2010, 01:58 PM
60? :shock:

Yeah. In fact I have lost count. I just checked and I'm using 65 right now. From those, 11 are developed by me. :)

BTW, I have stopped using Ghostery recently, since the latest versions slow down Firefox, specially tab switching. They fixed most of the problems, but it is still a slow extension.

murderslastcrow
July 23rd, 2010, 05:30 AM
Lol, 60!? Sounds like Firefox is, in itself, sort of an operating system to you. ChromeOS probably wouldn't suit you. XD

lovinglinux
July 23rd, 2010, 07:25 AM
Lol, 60!? Sounds like Firefox is, in itself, sort of an operating system to you. ChromeOS probably wouldn't suit you. XD

Yeah, that's what I wish. I even run commands and scripts from Firefox with my extension FoxRunner (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/98430/) :)

zeroseven0183
September 7th, 2010, 12:17 PM
Now testing Firefox 4 beta 4. Fast!

The menu bar however cannot be hid and the feedback button on the right is big. :-(

lovinglinux
September 7th, 2010, 02:17 PM
Now testing Firefox 4 beta 4. Fast!

The menu bar however cannot be hid and the feedback button on the right is big. :-(

Beta 5 should be released today.

If you are really annoyed abut the feedback button, then go to the Add-on manager and disable the Feeedback extension. Keep in mind you won't participate in the Beta Test Pilot if you do that.

scouser73
September 7th, 2010, 02:46 PM
Now testing Firefox 4 beta 4. Fast!

The menu bar however cannot be hid and the feedback button on the right is big. :-(

The feedback button can be disabled, than then hidden from view by clicking View > Toolbars > Customize and then dragging the Feedback button into the dialogue box that will appear.

lovinglinux
September 7th, 2010, 02:48 PM
The feedback button can be disabled, than then hidden from view by clicking View > Toolbars > Customize and then dragging the Feedback button into the dialogue box that will appear.

Yep, but unlike other extensions buttons, it will come back next time you start Firefox :)

Noz3001
September 7th, 2010, 03:23 PM
Firefox 4 Beta 6pre is nice, the tab buttons are taking shape more now.

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/8479/screenshotuh.png

DoeNietWil
September 7th, 2010, 04:27 PM
I just posted a feature i'd like to be added https://firefox.uservoice.com/forums/57440-firefox-4-beta/suggestions/1041705-opengl-hardware-acceleration
(https://firefox.uservoice.com/forums/57440-firefox-4-beta/suggestions/1041705-opengl-hardware-acceleration)

lovinglinux
September 7th, 2010, 05:04 PM
I just posted a feature i'd like to be added https://firefox.uservoice.com/forums/57440-firefox-4-beta/suggestions/1041705-opengl-hardware-acceleration
(https://firefox.uservoice.com/forums/57440-firefox-4-beta/suggestions/1041705-opengl-hardware-acceleration)

I can't find the original thread right now, but I think that is already possible.

beew
September 7th, 2010, 06:48 PM
I am getting firefox 4 beta from its daily built ppa. What is the deal with the new name "minefield" and somehow my already installed FF3.6.8 turned blue and changed its name to "Namoroka" !!??

The interface looks smart, all settings and bookmarks were transferred automatically (I use Synaptic to install from a ppa) but some of my addons wouldn't work. I don't have 60, only ad block, flash downloader, down them all and flashget. flash downloader and down them all don't work. OpenOffice mozilla pluggin and mozplugger still work nicely.

barney385
September 7th, 2010, 07:13 PM
I've been having nothing but trouble with Firefox lately and I uninstalled it.

I'd like to try the beta, but is it really better than the one I just got rid of?

lovinglinux
September 7th, 2010, 08:45 PM
I am getting firefox 4 beta from its daily built ppa. What is the deal with the new name "minefield"...

See the FAQ at http://firefox-tutorials.blogspot.com/2010/08/firefox-4-download-install-customize.html


...and somehow my already installed FF3.6.8 turned blue and changed its name to "Namoroka" !!??

See Important Notes about ubuntu-mozilla-daily PPA repository at http://firefox-tutorials.blogspot.com/2010/08/firefox-4-download-install-customize.html


The interface looks smart, all settings and bookmarks were transferred automatically (I use Synaptic to install from a ppa) but some of my addons wouldn't work. I don't have 60, only ad block, flash downloader, down them all and flashget. flash downloader and down them all don't work. OpenOffice mozilla pluggin and mozplugger still work nicely.

Well, all these questions are answered at http://firefox-tutorials.blogspot.com/2010/08/firefox-4-download-install-customize.html


I've been having nothing but trouble with Firefox lately and I uninstalled it.

I'd like to try the beta, but is it really better than the one I just got rid of?

Yes it is. Nevertheless is still a beta. Read http://firefox-tutorials.blogspot.com/2010/08/firefox-4-download-install-customize.html

scouser73
September 7th, 2010, 11:23 PM
Yep, but unlike other extensions buttons, it will come back next time you start Firefox :)

Not for me it doesn't and I've just this moment updated to Beta 5.

Ignore me, I had the Feedback button disabled and removed from view.](*,)

beew
September 7th, 2010, 11:28 PM
lovinglinux

Thanks for the link. Sweet. I actually like the development theme and the name namaroka.

So, when the final release comes out if I disable the daily built ppa and enable the ubuntu firefox stable ppa which version would get updated, the beta version or the 3.6 with development addons, or neither and that I have to install ff4 stable afresh?

This is a test installation of Lucid on an external drive so I am not worried about playing fast and loose, in my working installation I use the stable built ppa, or "security" as it is called before the final release of ff4.

barney385
September 8th, 2010, 12:22 AM
I'm using it now. The only way I can start the app is through the termianal with /usr/bin/firefox-4.0.

lovinglinux
September 8th, 2010, 03:41 AM
So, when the final release comes out if I disable the daily built ppa and enable the ubuntu firefox stable ppa which version would get updated, the beta version or the 3.6 with development addons, or neither and that I have to install ff4 stable afresh?

I'm not sure, because currently Firefox 4 is installed separately. Nevertheless, the stable ppa page has a notice about Firefox 4, so I guess you will be able to upgrade from 3.6 to 4 with the stable ppa, once Firefox 4 final version is released. When that happens, remember that you are currently using a copy of your 3.6 profile, located on a different folder.


I'm using it now. The only way I can start the app is through the termianal with /usr/bin/firefox-4.0.

That's normal. You can also start it from the Internet menu. It should be listed as "Mozilla Developer Preview Browser" or something like that.

barney385
September 8th, 2010, 06:21 PM
I'm not sure, because currently Firefox 4 is installed separately. Nevertheless, the stable ppa page has a notice about Firefox 4, so I guess you will be able to upgrade from 3.6 to 4 with the stable ppa, once Firefox 4 final version is released. When that happens, remember that you are currently using a copy of your 3.6 profile, located on a different folder.



That's normal. You can also start it from the Internet menu. It should be listed as "Mozilla Developer Preview Browser" or something like that.

Nope. Not showing up for me for some reason.

lovinglinux
September 9th, 2010, 12:34 AM
Nope. Not showing up for me for some reason.

That is a problem. You can try to re-install Firefox 4 to see if the launcher appears or create a launcher in the menu manually.

Frogs Hair
September 13th, 2010, 03:01 PM
Fully Firefox 4 beta as of today, I have everything working except ubufox . I have included a link to a browser FPS tester at Mozilla.org if interested. http://demos.hacks.mozilla.org/openweb/HWACCEL/