Firefox 4.0 looks like Chrome?
Summary
Mozilla has released mockups that show how Firefox 4.0 conceivably might look, and two words spring to my mind: Google Chrome.
Topics
Mozilla has released mockups that show how Firefox 4.0 conceivably might look, and two words spring to my mind: Google Chrome.
Last week, Mozilla showed some mockups for the nearer-term Firefox 3.7 that eliminated the browser's title bar, replacing it with two drop-down menu buttons on the right, just like Chrome has had since its September 2008 debut. The Firefox 4.0 mockups show two options, one similar to the 3.7 ideas, and the other taking another step in the Chrome direction.
Specifically, the second Firefox 4.0 mockup shows the browser tabs on top where once there was a window title bar. That's the same approach that Google picked with Chrome, a view of which you can see below.
Mozilla is looking for comment on the designs, which, the browser developer takes pains to note, are "for brainstorming/exploration" and aren't final.
Of the "more contentious Tabs-on-Top concept," Mozilla says advantages include that it saves vertical space and removes visual complexity. On the flip side, it's different, and moving user interface elements confuses people. Also on the negative side, the missing title bar means people see only a truncated Web page title in the tab.
For Firefox, putting tabs on top meshes conceptually with Electrolysis, aka Content Processes, an under-the-covers change that will make each tab a separate computing process. That carries potential performance, stability, and security advantages, but requires more memory.
The Firefox 4.0 mockups also show a combination button to the right of the address bar that changes behavior depending on what the browser is up to. The button can be used to start loading a page whose address has been typed, to stop loading if it's in the process of doing so, and to reload it if it's finished loading.
This article was originally posted on CNET News.
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Not quite sure why they would want to not use the title bar? It is nice to have the full length page description up there. The tabs above the address bar is... well..ok I guess..but why no title bar? Bad idea.
Sometimes I like it, too. How about a
configuration that would allow the title bar to
appear if set to true? Could have it off by
default, otherwise.
I actually prefer Chrome on my netbook for just
this reason -- more vertical real estate on the
limited 600px height resolution. I would prefer
to use Firefox. This would be a nice option.
configuration that would allow the title bar to
appear if set to true? Could have it off by
default, otherwise.
I actually prefer Chrome on my netbook for just
this reason -- more vertical real estate on the
limited 600px height resolution. I would prefer
to use Firefox. This would be a nice option.
I like the title bar too. I'm just wondering... what happens to all the buttons for the addons we use, like Foxtab, or Brief, or Flashblock? Where will those end up?
I like having the whole File/Edit/View... as well, because it makes it extremely easy for me to get to what i want very quickly. I don't have to right-click and look through a pull-down menu and then have to open up another one from whichever section I want like in M$N ... Windows Live Messenger...
I like having the whole File/Edit/View... as well, because it makes it extremely easy for me to get to what i want very quickly. I don't have to right-click and look through a pull-down menu and then have to open up another one from whichever section I want like in M$N ... Windows Live Messenger...
Agreed, I much prefer Firefox's default chrome to Chrome's default interface.
That being said, make these things options to accommodate people's tastes, and no complaints by me!
That being said, make these things options to accommodate people's tastes, and no complaints by me!
I'd say skip the tabs on top. Tabs below the location bar is much better. I also prefer tabs below the location bar because it saves time so you don't have to move the mouse all the way to the top. >_>
Chrome was good, but I hated the tabs on the top.
And it's nice to see that they are utilizing the aero look more than now. Totally love their take on it and would like to see more apps using aero in that way. But until then I'm stuck with Glasser.
Chrome was good, but I hated the tabs on the top.
And it's nice to see that they are utilizing the aero look more than now. Totally love their take on it and would like to see more apps using aero in that way. But until then I'm stuck with Glasser.
One of the reasons I preferred Chrome was because
the tabs were above the address bar, to me it just
made more sense. Firefox 4 should have to option
to drag-and-drop the tabs either above or below.
That might make everyone happy =)
the tabs were above the address bar, to me it just
made more sense. Firefox 4 should have to option
to drag-and-drop the tabs either above or below.
That might make everyone happy =)
Firefox has so many variations on its default look that it leaves Chrome in the metal dust, and probably will do so in a newer version. Just as long as Firefox 4.0 is fast and secure, it could look like HotJava (actually no thank you)and hold marketshare.
It looks more and more like IE 8 with each update, they keep copying microsoft's features, like
* a close X in each tab
* a new tab icon
* leaving the tab bar present
* removing the menu bar in favor of tool buttons like 'Page' on the left and 'Tools' on the right (more confusing than IE 8)
* a quick tabs-like 'thumbnail preview' button
* separating tabs into their own process, a security and stability feature that MS pioneered in browsers
To answer all the ABMers:
No Chrome was not the first to release a browser with tab isolation, Microsoft was. They released IE 8 beta 1 publicly in March 2008, many moons before Chrome even saw the light of day!
Geez, doesn't anyone innovate anymore, or do they all just copy Microsoft?!
* a close X in each tab
* a new tab icon
* leaving the tab bar present
* removing the menu bar in favor of tool buttons like 'Page' on the left and 'Tools' on the right (more confusing than IE 8)
* a quick tabs-like 'thumbnail preview' button
* separating tabs into their own process, a security and stability feature that MS pioneered in browsers
To answer all the ABMers:
No Chrome was not the first to release a browser with tab isolation, Microsoft was. They released IE 8 beta 1 publicly in March 2008, many moons before Chrome even saw the light of day!
Geez, doesn't anyone innovate anymore, or do they all just copy Microsoft?!
Ok, I'm not one to get into a browser vs. browser war. But you have to be kidding me. MS/IE didn't come up with most of those features. About the only 2 that could be claimed is the processes per tab and the thumbnail previews. Firefox either had those features, and not on by default, or there have been extensions that have added those features for you. With every new major version of Firefox I have to believe they are deciding to incorporate some of the features most people add plugins to achieve.
...most of the features in Firefox come from popular plugins. They just make it a part of the browser. Its amazing how Mozilla could be copying everything from the company that said users don't want tabs. I have to ask just how did IE end up with tabs to separate into different processes....oh...they copied it.
It's not logical to argue for FireFox with extensions without passing the same consideration to IE.
Firefox had Tabbed browsing long before IE did,
what tech planet are you living on?..
what tech planet are you living on?..
Firefox had Tabbed browsing long before IE did, what tech planet are you living on?..
Although this is true... the statement was that IE had tabs running in seperate processes before FF. In fact, IE8 was the first browser to run tabs in seperate processes, although not the first to release with the technology, they did indeed introduce it first.
I'm of the opinion here lately, that for the most part, all browsers need some work here and there. None of them are perfect, far from it actually, and the whole pissing contest on which is better is pretty ridiculous.
Although this is true... the statement was that IE had tabs running in seperate processes before FF. In fact, IE8 was the first browser to run tabs in seperate processes, although not the first to release with the technology, they did indeed introduce it first.
I'm of the opinion here lately, that for the most part, all browsers need some work here and there. None of them are perfect, far from it actually, and the whole pissing contest on which is better is pretty ridiculous.
here here!
chrome is my primary browser anymore - and when
i'm using someone else's computer i have to catch
myself and look for a search box in the toolbars
to search (inconvenient!)
chrome is my primary browser anymore - and when
i'm using someone else's computer i have to catch
myself and look for a search box in the toolbars
to search (inconvenient!)
For all the talk about Firefox having
extensions and Safari looking slick, it seems
evident that Chrome is the standard which is
driving innovation in the once stale browser
market. I having been using Chrome 3.0.193 as
the default browser for a month now and it
beats the pants off the competition.
FF is too slow, Safari has too much nonsense,
and IE is the most incompatible piece of crap
to grace the web.
Chrome still has a few shortcomings but in six
months time, it looks to be shaping up to be
the best browser out there. They are currently
developing extensions like FF, they support
application shortcuts in the browser (super
idea), and they have a task manager in the
browser (novel idea). Chrome is the one to
beat these days.
extensions and Safari looking slick, it seems
evident that Chrome is the standard which is
driving innovation in the once stale browser
market. I having been using Chrome 3.0.193 as
the default browser for a month now and it
beats the pants off the competition.
FF is too slow, Safari has too much nonsense,
and IE is the most incompatible piece of crap
to grace the web.
Chrome still has a few shortcomings but in six
months time, it looks to be shaping up to be
the best browser out there. They are currently
developing extensions like FF, they support
application shortcuts in the browser (super
idea), and they have a task manager in the
browser (novel idea). Chrome is the one to
beat these days.
FF is too slow, Safari has too much nonsense, and IE is the most incompatible piece of crap to grace the web.
FireFox is not slow. It is one of the faster browsers available. And IE is incompatible? Last I heard, most websites today are designed more for IE as it is the dominate browser in most regions. Also, some sites will only work with IE.
It's ok if you prefer Chrome, and I'm not going to say the others are perfect either, but there is no need in making up crap.
FireFox is not slow. It is one of the faster browsers available. And IE is incompatible? Last I heard, most websites today are designed more for IE as it is the dominate browser in most regions. Also, some sites will only work with IE.
It's ok if you prefer Chrome, and I'm not going to say the others are perfect either, but there is no need in making up crap.
But it's slower than most web-kit based browsers out there.
Chrome sucks. Just because you think it's "setting the standard" doesn't mean it is. I don't understand why people think hiding everything possible from the user is "good." The second you want to change something that doesn't show up as an option somewhere, you're off editing configuration files or registry entries and junk like that. Gimp has a .gimprc option to hide the new "Wilber eyes" in the toolbox, but it's not an actual option. Firefox will easily let you turn on pipelining, but you have to about:config it. And Windows itself has so many "hidden" registry-set options that it's amazing if a normal human being can figure any of it out. Chrome, to me, is the epitome of "hide everything so we don't confuse the simpletons!" It's really rather insulting to one's intelligence. Back to Chrome...explain to me how you install goodies like Adblock Plus in Chrome again; I guess I missed that memo.
Chrome sucks.
Chrome sucks.
I read my news in Google Reader and get extremely irritated by the leading sentence being repeated twice, rather than more information to persuade me to read the article. It doesn't happen with every
Now back to the article. Personally I like the tabs at the top. I have a lot of additions to my copy of Firefox 3.5 and sometimes finding the tab row takes a little time. Having them at the top will tick a box for me.
Andrew Taylor
Now back to the article. Personally I like the tabs at the top. I have a lot of additions to my copy of Firefox 3.5 and sometimes finding the tab row takes a little time. Having them at the top will tick a box for me.
Andrew Taylor
sandboxing mode in Vista/7 and AeroPeak.
And if I really wanted to be greedy, AD/GP integration or a centralized admin console (for businesses).
Tabs on top please!
- Sam
And if I really wanted to be greedy, AD/GP integration or a centralized admin console (for businesses).
Tabs on top please!
- Sam
I do not like how more and more applications are breaking away from OS-level design elements.
Menu bars with consistent titles (eg File, Edit, Tools) and consistent subheadings (eg File-Open, File-Print, Edit-Copy) make it easier for users to switch between applications.
With this shift towards form-over-function, are we returning to the days when each application had its own interface, icons, and command system?
Menu bars with consistent titles (eg File, Edit, Tools) and consistent subheadings (eg File-Open, File-Print, Edit-Copy) make it easier for users to switch between applications.
With this shift towards form-over-function, are we returning to the days when each application had its own interface, icons, and command system?
We might get stuck with an everchanging menu bar at the top - just like Lotus 123 or OS/X 
The examples in my original post actually apply to OS/X just as much as Windows or Gnome or KDE. One of the points is that the menu and main clickable icons are all in a consistent place among applications, and they all have a consistent look. (Linux GUI apps seem to have a higher deviancy ratio, in my experience.)
I don't mind pixel-hunts in old-school adventure games - I shouldn't need to mouse all over the application window to find the button I need.
And not every function has to be iconized - it's okay to use text!
I don't mind pixel-hunts in old-school adventure games - I shouldn't need to mouse all over the application window to find the button I need.
And not every function has to be iconized - it's okay to use text!
I personally like the Chrominess of these mock-
ups. But
you have to remember that's what they are, mock
ups.
We'll have to wait until 3.7, and 4 to see what
really
happens.
ups. But
you have to remember that's what they are, mock
ups.
We'll have to wait until 3.7, and 4 to see what
really
happens.
Too many good products turning to crap because they don?t have enough faith in their own concepts to not copy competitor products. I actually continue to use Firefox specifically because it does not look like Chrome or Opera and at the point they were identical, might change.
I love Chrome and think we should embrace the
positive innovation. These things are going to
be standard when people forget the old ways.
Chrome is a stream-
lined,tab-taming, sharp dressed kid. Let's not
pick on the kid for being brave enough to be
outside our antequated comfort zone.
This reminds me of the old folks at my work
crying because we are phasing out payment by
personal check.
They say "what is this world coming to when
stores won't take checks anymore?" I tell them
that it is like seeing the trade of goods and
services give way to cash.
With cash over trade of goods and services, you
can trade something always in demand, unlike
the specific good or service you provide. With
the debit cards replacing checks, your plastic
gets swiped and you have to know the PIN to use
it most places instead of
taking ten minutes to write out a check which
may not be yours, anyway.
These things are such abstracted technologies,
why should you be adversarial to a better
technology because it is different? It's not
like you're losing something pure. Why should
you be adversarial to replacing buttons used by
users of every browser with simple, intuitive
icons? Nobody needs to remind his- or herself
that the button with a picture of a house
is the home button after they have used it
thirty times.
Google's entire business model is based on
innovation, and they have already given us some
incredible technologies. I use and love chrome
and I always wait with bated breath to see what
ideas Google comes up with next.
positive innovation. These things are going to
be standard when people forget the old ways.
Chrome is a stream-
lined,tab-taming, sharp dressed kid. Let's not
pick on the kid for being brave enough to be
outside our antequated comfort zone.
This reminds me of the old folks at my work
crying because we are phasing out payment by
personal check.
They say "what is this world coming to when
stores won't take checks anymore?" I tell them
that it is like seeing the trade of goods and
services give way to cash.
With cash over trade of goods and services, you
can trade something always in demand, unlike
the specific good or service you provide. With
the debit cards replacing checks, your plastic
gets swiped and you have to know the PIN to use
it most places instead of
taking ten minutes to write out a check which
may not be yours, anyway.
These things are such abstracted technologies,
why should you be adversarial to a better
technology because it is different? It's not
like you're losing something pure. Why should
you be adversarial to replacing buttons used by
users of every browser with simple, intuitive
icons? Nobody needs to remind his- or herself
that the button with a picture of a house
is the home button after they have used it
thirty times.
Google's entire business model is based on
innovation, and they have already given us some
incredible technologies. I use and love chrome
and I always wait with bated breath to see what
ideas Google comes up with next.
The security you talk about with the plastic card, doesn't exist. You don't have to use a pin. You just hit the cancel button, and tell the cashier credit. No pin needed, I get asked for identification about a 1/2 % of the time. Maybe once a month if I'm lucky. The rest of the time no pin and no ID needed.
PS Firefox rocks!!!!!
PS Firefox rocks!!!!!
Where does Firefox get a good chunk of its revenues - GOOGLE. What does Google want to do? Take over the browswer space and win...
These two companies are connected therefore... expect for innovation to be connected. Google would love for its browswer to be the standard. Unfortunately I don't want Google Spyware on my desktop.
These two companies are connected therefore... expect for innovation to be connected. Google would love for its browswer to be the standard. Unfortunately I don't want Google Spyware on my desktop.
i don't think google wants so much to be the
number one browser, it just wants to get its
webapps out there - thus, they are (strongly)
encouraging standards compliant browsers
notice how when you visit google.com in IE
there's a nice little invitation to try google
chrome (upper right-hand corner) -- but if you
visit with FF or safari... its not there!
hmmm...
number one browser, it just wants to get its
webapps out there - thus, they are (strongly)
encouraging standards compliant browsers
notice how when you visit google.com in IE
there's a nice little invitation to try google
chrome (upper right-hand corner) -- but if you
visit with FF or safari... its not there!
hmmm...
Without a title bar, it's not possible to read the title of a web page beyond the first few words. It's truncated by the width of a tab.
1) full title is visible in title bar
2) mouse can travel faster to select a tab
3) firefox distinguishes itself from Chrome, IE & Co.
Hope that's reason enough for keeping good things, Mr. mockup designer ...
2) mouse can travel faster to select a tab
3) firefox distinguishes itself from Chrome, IE & Co.
Hope that's reason enough for keeping good things, Mr. mockup designer ...
Tried Chrome. It sucked. Look's like Firefox (which I use now) will too.
Swell. This should work as well as the nationalized health care Ocrapma is pushing through.
Swell. This should work as well as the nationalized health care Ocrapma is pushing through.
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