It should be interesting to see what beta 6 will look like. I have been experimenting with the nightlies, and seeing what works and what breaks.
Now, to some of the posters who have preceded me, it is painfully obvious that you do not understand the purpose of beta testing. So, if you were students, and I were a teacher; this is what I would have to say to you:
`Shut up, and pay attention. You will be tested on this subject.`
The purpose of releasing a PUBLIC BETA test of software is to expose the code to far more users with many more variables than a test suite can include. Code is run on differing O/Ses, machines with different processors, memory capabilities, screen sizes, word length, etc, and most importantly, user expectations. Part of the reason for beta testing is to see how assumptions made by the developers are received by the users. You can develop all kinds of `whiz-bang` features, but if they are not implemented well, then users will complain.
Another purpose of beta testing to to find things that do not work, and fix them (aka BUGS). Thus, if you are not willing to deal with problems, then, for God's sake, do not use beta software. Stay with the current release, and leave beta testing to the adults.
Class dismissed!!!
OH, BTW, your grade - FAIL
Now, one area that has seen a lot of discussion on the Mozilla Labs Test Pilot forums is the use of screen real estate. many are calling for better utilization of the vertical space, especially those with small screens like netbooks and laptops. Some are calling for Firefox to look more `Chrome like, with minimal title, text menu, address bar, tab space usage at the top of the screen. I feel the best thing the developers can do is to make Firefox as flexible as possible to allow users to turn off which of those features they do not need. The best way to get this point across is to post forum comments that are reasoned, and do not smack of petty complaints. I have seen too many posts that amount to nothing more that a rant, or more succinctly put, a b---- session.
Just to drive this point home, I am writing this post using beta 4, and have already used today's (8-25-10) nightly earlier.
It is about time some of you grow up!
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