Firefox 2.0 Launches Tomorrow: Get the Latest from Mozilla!

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the launch of Firefox 2.0, focusing on its features, user experiences, and concerns regarding compatibility with extensions and performance. Participants share their thoughts on the new version, including its Release Candidate status and various functionalities.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that the official release of Firefox 2.0 is not yet available, with a Release Candidate currently accessible.
  • Concerns are raised about the compatibility of existing extensions and plug-ins with the new version.
  • Several users express excitement about new features, such as real-time spell-checking and improved tab management.
  • Others argue that Firefox has become bloated with features, suggesting a preference for a lighter browser that allows users to choose extensions as needed.
  • Participants share mixed experiences with the new version, including installation issues on different operating systems and stability concerns.
  • Some users appreciate specific features like separate exit buttons on tabs and the ability to open links in new tabs rather than new windows.
  • There are requests for built-in mouse gestures or better extensions for mouse gestures, with comparisons to features in other browsers like Opera.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions about the new features and performance of Firefox 2.0, with no clear consensus on whether the changes are improvements or drawbacks. Some appreciate the new functionalities, while others criticize the perceived bloat and compatibility issues.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention specific issues with extensions and plugins, as well as varying experiences based on different operating systems, indicating that the discussion is influenced by individual user setups and preferences.

Who May Find This Useful

Users interested in web browsers, particularly those considering upgrading to Firefox 2.0 or exploring its new features and potential issues with extensions.

neutrino
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It has been announced that Mozilla will release it's latest and greatest(?) software on Tuesday.

Although the official download site is not yet ready, I think one can download it from their FTP site (someone correct me if I'm wrong).
 
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Hi, I just visited

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/2.0/releasenotes/

It seems that what they've got available is a Release Candidate. If you install it, it will overwrite your current installation of Firefox, but it is not guaranteed that the extensions and plug-ins you have currently will work with the RC. I'm going to hold off until they announce a fully developed package for release public release.
 
You're right. It's not yet out (officially).
 
Still, thanks for pointing out how far along Firefox 2 is. From the notes on the page I linked, it has some very attractive features. Firefox has been my default browser since day one of the first release, and I eagerly await the next version. The Mozilla folks really seem to know their stuff and they come up with some nice features with every release.
 
Actually, many people seem to think otherwise. Many Fx afficionados now say that this browser is bloated with features (many of which were actually picked up from popular extensions), and I think they have a point. Give the users something small, light, which doesn't use too much memory (it's still a big problem for Fx developers and users), and then let them choose what they want to add. Even if it had been smaller, I would've still added some via extensions (can't live without some of them :biggrin:).
 
Well neutrino, you were right about the release - they went ahead and released Released Candidate 3 as version 2.0. I took a look at how many extensions I really use, then bit the bullet and downloaded the new version. It features real-time spell-checking for forms such as these used to make forum posts. I haven't tried out all the new features, but have been bouncing around from site to site to see if V 2.0 is consistent and stable - it seems to be. Thanks for the heads-up.
 
Some of the new features have been taken from a few popular extensions, especially the new tab features, so I'm quite used to them, including the exit button on each tab, which many don't seem to like. The new version has been behaving itself. :)

Btw, just read on slashdot that there were 2 million downloads in the first 24 hours of the release!
 
I like the separate exit buttons on each tab, and the fact that links open in new tabs, not new windows. I'm involved in a research project in which access to multi-band astrophotography is quite valuable, but opening links in IRSA left me with a lot of windows to track. Now the new links come up in tabs, and I can see when the imagery is loaded, because the little spinning indicator stops. I use IRSA's "reproject" feature, and that is quite slow, so I like to be able to do another activity in another tab while the imagery is loading (several minutes).
 
thanks for the site.
 
  • #10
I like the new firefox. Though I admit, I had to look around to get a few things back to how I wanted; namely, I don't like the close tab button, and I also did not like the new quick find, but these were both easy to change.

The only thing I wish firefox had was some built in mouse gestures, or a better mouse gestures extension (anyone that has used Opera knows what I am talking about).
 
  • #11
mattmns said:
... and I also did not like the new quick find...
Hmm...I just noticed that the usual options are missing. I never used them anyway. :rolleyes:

The only thing I wish firefox had was some built in mouse gestures, or a better mouse gestures extension (anyone that has used Opera knows what I am talking about).
Here you go...
https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/39/
https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/12/

Three are others, too, like Easy Gestures, Drag De Go, etc.
 
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  • #12
Installed fine on my xp box, but baulked on my Mac, and seems to crash every so often. I think i will need to remove some plugins and figure out why.
 
  • #13
neutrino said:
https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/39/
https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/12/


I have used both, and I am currently using the all-in-one. What I meant above is that these mouse gestures are crap compared to Opera's.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #14
Never used them. I did install one of those before, but soon forgot about it. :D
 

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