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Firefox 4 Beta 1 Released

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Re: Firefox 4 Beta 1 Released

#51

Post by smackfu »

tdoggette wrote: post #45

The single feature that forever ties me to Chrome is tabs on top . On top of the address bar isn't the point. It's a nice touch that emphasizes the metaphor for "real" tabs, like on a paper folder, but it doesn't have the huge usability bonus of Chrome's implementation. The important thing is that in Chrome, the tabs are on the very top pixel of the screen (in Windows or a Linux UI with no top bar). Since I browse wi…

OTOH, now with larger and larger monitors, how many people really browse full-screen? If you aren't full-screen, Fitts law doesn't help.

Re: Firefox 4 Beta 1 Released

#52

Post by chadgeidel »

tdoggette wrote: post #45

The single feature that forever ties me to Chrome is tabs on top . On top of the address bar isn't the point. It's a nice touch that emphasizes the metaphor for "real" tabs, like on a paper folder, but it doesn't have the huge usability bonus of Chrome's implementation. The important thing is that in Chrome, the tabs are on the very top pixel of the screen (in Windows or a Linux UI with no top bar). Since I browse wi…

I agree, and was elated to see them in Safari 4 betas. Unfortunately everyone hated them. I've searched for a way to put them back on top, but I have not found anything.

IMHO, there's a little too much "free space" on the top of Chrome's tabs, and Safari got it just right.

Re: Firefox 4 Beta 1 Released

#53

Post by chadgeidel »

smackfu wrote: post #51
tdoggette wrote: post #45

The single feature that forever ties me to Chrome is tabs on top . On top of the address bar isn't the point. It's a nice touch that emphasizes the metaphor for "real" tabs, like on a paper folder, but it doesn't have the huge usability bonus of Chrome's implementation. The important thing is that in Chrome, the tabs are on the very top pixel of the screen (in Windows or a Linux UI with no top bar). Since I browse wi…

OTOH, now with larger and larger monitors, how many people really browse full-screen? If you aren't full-screen, Fitts law doesn't help.

I never browsed full-screen because it's too "wide" but with Windows 7's new "snap" feature (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/feature...), I can now have 2 browsers comfortably side by side. Helpful tip - it won't "snap" to the inside edge of a multi-monitor setup using the mouse, but Win+ works (that's the keyboard shortcut for "snap").

I realize that this feature has been in tiling window managers for quite some time, it's just nice to have it in Windows now.

Re: Firefox 4 Beta 1 Released

#54

Post by natmaster »

EricBurnett wrote: post #47
natmaster wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What IS your point then? Making arguments about who did what first sounds like the basics of a middle school browser holy war argument. Ask a coherent question, and I'll give you a straight answer.

Same question I've been asking all along. Why did Mozilla choose to spotlight these specific features? I assume there is a strategic answer, but I don't know what it is.

In that case, you're better off either talking to people who work there, or filtering through their meeting notes. Mozilla is a very open company, so you shouldn't encounter too much resistance. Although in all honesty, it was probably just a marketing person who chose what to highlight. Good luck with your endeavors!

Re: Firefox 4 Beta 1 Released

#55

Post by mbrubeck »

tdoggette wrote: post #45

The single feature that forever ties me to Chrome is tabs on top . On top of the address bar isn't the point. It's a nice touch that emphasizes the metaphor for "real" tabs, like on a paper folder, but it doesn't have the huge usability bonus of Chrome's implementation. The important thing is that in Chrome, the tabs are on the very top pixel of the screen (in Windows or a Linux UI with no top bar). Since I browse wi…

It's not implemented in beta 1, but Firefox 4 will also have tabs extend to the top of the screen when maximized. See http://bugzil.la/572480 by Alex Faaborg (Principal Designer on the Firefox UX team) for details.

Re: Firefox 4 Beta 1 Released

#56

Post by mbrubeck »

d0m wrote: post #49
robin_reala wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The autocomplete learns based on your past browsing habits. Give it some time and it’ll get there.

I know but this isn't exactly the same. On firefox, it suggests idea with a dropdown.. on chrome, it autocompletes them. Also, if it's not found, it automatically search on google.. and by pressing [tab], you can search directly from a known site. That's 3 features I really use.

To get autocomplete in Firefox, go to about:config, search for "autofill" and set browser.urlbar.autofill to "true".
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