Firefox 4

[Dexter 40]

With Firefox 4.0 final expected to be released next Tuesday, I was wondering what everyone's opinion on it is, and is anyone here using the RC?

I've been using the RC1 since it was released last week, and so far I have no complaints about it, despite the fact many users have reported that it is lagging and the font rendering is awful, I can't say I've had such problems, and in fact, it seems a lot faster than Firefox 3.6. My only annoyances with it are the lack of a decent "Speed Dial" or new tab page like most other browsers have, and the fact it's trying to copy Chrome by putting tabs on top by default, but that's easily fixed.

So, if anyone here is using the RC, what do you think? Step in the right direction, or too little too late?

[Vahr 341]

I've been using the beta since about version 6, so... personally I find it very good, things are faster and smoother. I haven't noticed anything wrong with font here on my end.

I dislike the button and tabs on top though (being all anti-minimalist UI ), so I switched it to a more "classic" v3.5 look. It's also performed nicely on HTML5 elements, at least on demonstration pages.

[JakeMD 107]

I tried the beta and wasn't too happy with it as there were a huge amount of bugs, i'll have to re download it!

[Darth Apple 54]

I think that the one thing that they need to do is to put chrome's unibar thing in there. It's annoying having one text field for a google search and the other for a web address. That's the one thing I feel they could improve. Firefox 4 is definitely a huge improvement over Firefox 3, though.

[asteconn 9]

I'm a web developer by trade. I use IE, Chrome and Firefox. Although FF is my default for browsing (yay noscript and adblock and web developer toolbar)

[Dexter 40]

I think that the one thing that they need to do is to put chrome's unibar thing in there. It's annoying having one text field for a google search and the other for a web address. That's the one thing I feel they could improve. Firefox 4 is definitely a huge improvement over Firefox 3, though.

It is actually possible to search using your default search engine using the address bar in Firefox 4, so I don't see why you just couldn't hide the search bar if you really wanted. To be honest, for some reason I can't stand the "unibar", and IMO IE9 looks hideous with the tabs below the address bar.

[colcholl 43]

i find that its easier to download things on Chrome, (its automatic)

With firefox 3.6 you had to click "save as" everytime. (:

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

it will be interesting to see if it turns up on my distribution or I'll have to wait for Natty Narwhal. I am currently on UBUNTU 10.10 and the supported release is 3.6. I am using a lot of other beta stuff, and I really can't be bothered with the browser as long as it does what I want.

I tried chrome, and I hated it.

[Comrade Kc 7]

i use Firefox, but most the time i use chrome. i dont really like how any internet browser is set up, they all suck really. but o---well. whatever don't work on chrome i use Firefox ans also to play games.

For chatting, typing and homework i use Google chrome. I use chrome when i use Google maps to.

E explorer is a pop up death trap. It will open itself up.....

  Edited March 16, 2011 by Comrade Kc  

[Duke87 1,070]

I personally see no reason to use a beta version for software that there is a previous final release for (I don't want to be finding bugs). So, I haven't touched Firefox 4 yet.

But obviously that will change once it leaves beta.

[Kevin 101]

I've switched back and forth between Chrome and FF, and recently switched to the FF4 Beta and now RC1. I like it so far... thought I wouldn't like the UI changes but adjusting to them turned out to be quite natural.

[Easy Bakes 253]

IE 8

[blade2k5 1,523]

I quit updating my browser more than a year ago. Seems like every other day there's a new version. As long as the one I have [FF 3.something or another] does what I need it to, I don't see the need to update.

  Edited March 17, 2011 by blade2k5  

[hummer0328 6]

I quit updating my browser more than a year ago. Seems like every other day there's a new version. As long as the one I have [FF 3.something or another] does what I need it to, I don't see the need to update.

Many updates are for the sole purpose of addressing serious security holes/flaws. Not updating for that long is a good way to get hit with a virus. Trust me on this one.

And as for the old "I've never gotten a virus before", well I work in IT and hear this one all the time. The majority of the time I take a look at there computer only to find tons of malware their virus scanner missed because they haven't updated their browser, operating system, flash player, or java in forever leaving a gapping security hole in their system that allowed the virus to gain backdoor access by rooting itself in the system. And once that happens, it's possible that it can stay in the system undetected for a very long time. Many viruses like that are impossible to detect or remove (in the case it is actually detected) while the corresponding operating system is in use. What a headache it can be sometimes, especially the people who refuse to listen, but come yelling at you when the inevitable happens and they do get hit with malware.

As for my browser of choice, I'm currently using Chomium 10 (open source vs of chrome). I've been using it in beta for quite a while. It's really fast, as long as the option "Use a prediction service to help complete searches and URLs typed in the address bar" is left unchecked. I'm not exactly sure what that feature accomplishes, as even when unchecked it still gives me search hints. I also make sure to leave the feature "Enable Instant for faster searching and browsing" left unchecked.

In my experience, Chrome is always faster, given enough RAM. It is a little RAM hungry though. Not a problem with most of today's newer computers coming off the shelves with 4 GB or more of RAM. The trade-off is increased speed, stability, and security (not that I see anything wrong with FF4 and security), well worth it IMHO.

[blade2k5 1,523]

Many updates are for the sole purpose of addressing serious security holes/flaws. Not updating for that long is a good way to get hit with a virus. Trust me on this one.

Blah blah blah nonsense. No matter what updated browser you use, you'll still get virus/spyware. So that bit of fear mongering don't work on me.

  Edited March 17, 2011 by blade2k5  

[Dexter 40]

Just a quick update, it looks like RC2 will be released tomorrow following the discovery of two bugs that needed to be patched before the final release. ETA hasn't changed, and is still set for March 22nd.

[Finkle 14]

I tried the IN9 beta, I thought it would have been so cool, but no one had the right players. Not to kine on the yahoo beta, no local news feed.

[Loney 22]

Many updates are for the sole purpose of addressing serious security holes/flaws. Not updating for that long is a good way to get hit with a virus. Trust me on this one.

Blah blah blah nonsense. No matter what updated browser you use, you'll still get virus/spyware. So that bit of fear mongering don't work on me.

There's a difference between a few security holes and lots of security holes. Once a software is unsupported, there's nothing to serve as a stopgap measure against the flow of malware. Hackers can run free and not worry about their malware being patched.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

@Hunner0328: True, especially for you since you self-compile kernels and do your own mods. Howsoever, do think about the naive users out here. On all that fancy gear you have, what do you do about virus checking? I am running CLAM-AV and it has been quite satisfactory so far. There are not many hackers interested in Linux. Microsoft is far too tempting a target.

Linux is like Multics. The complete source is available, so unless one is truly malicious, what's the point of a virus aimed at Linux? Most users are like us. Computer people who won't stand for any nonsense.

  Edited March 23, 2011 by A Nonny Moose  

[hummer0328 6]

@NonnyMoose: I run Clam-AV from a flash drive ubuntu install for scanning purposes. Never seen anything while running linux. I have network penetration/hacking software on my computer and routinely perform penetration testing. My linux computers are ACLed from other computers on my network, so I don't have to worry about any untrusted Windows computers that share bandwidth. I also make sure my roommates keep their computers fairly up to date.

As for my browser of choice, I'm now using the Chromium 11 beta. Self-compiled, of course...

[Duke87 1,070]

Upgraded a couple hours ago.

New buttons are funky.

Lack of File, Edit, etc. menus is weird, as is the lack of a permanent bottom bar.

Fact that the bookmarks sidebar opens below the tabs rather than pushing them over is mildly annoying but tolerable (and can be mitigated by leaving a blank tab on the left end).

(yes, I might have just copied the preceding from the "The Next Person" thread. Meant to ruin every form of originality and all that...)

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Upgraded a couple hours ago.

New buttons are funky.

Lack of File, Edit, etc. menus is weird, as is the lack of a permanent bottom bar.

Fact that the bookmarks sidebar opens below the tabs rather than pushing them over is mildly annoying but tolerable (and can be mitigated by leaving a blank tab on the left end).

(yes, I might have just copied the preceding from the "The Next Person" thread. Meant to ruin every form of originality and all that...)

Interesting. I'll wait for my distro to catch up while eating worms.

[Loney 22]

Upgraded a couple hours ago.

New buttons are funky.

Lack of File, Edit, etc. menus is weird, as is the lack of a permanent bottom bar.

Fact that the bookmarks sidebar opens below the tabs rather than pushing them over is mildly annoying but tolerable (and can be mitigated by leaving a blank tab on the left end).

(yes, I might have just copied the preceding from the "The Next Person" thread. Meant to ruin every form of originality and all that...)

This should help: http://redherring2.wordpress.com/2011/01/17/firefox-4-restoring-firefox-3-ui/

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Upgraded a couple hours ago.

New buttons are funky.

Lack of File, Edit, etc. menus is weird, as is the lack of a permanent bottom bar.

Fact that the bookmarks sidebar opens below the tabs rather than pushing them over is mildly annoying but tolerable (and can be mitigated by leaving a blank tab on the left end).

(yes, I might have just copied the preceding from the "The Next Person" thread. Meant to ruin every form of originality and all that...)

This should help: http://redherring2.w...g-firefox-3-ui/

Not surprising that it is totally customizable. If you are used to something and are a conservative, you probably want it the other way. Just fix it, and quit crying.

Update: Monday, 28 March 2011 05:36 PM

Just picked up the alpha of UBUNTU 11.04. Not working very well, but it does have FF 4.0. A little wierd where things are, but quite acceptable. This is being written on it.

  Edited March 28, 2011 by A Nonny Moose  

[Duke87 1,070]

Eh, I'm not complaining. Just noting a few oddities which I'm already rapidly getting used to.

One thing I do miss, though, is the dropdown menu that allows you to skip back or forward several pages at once. Ah, nevermind, it's still there, you just have to right click to get it.

[timmie 988]

It takes some time to get used to, so at the moment I don't think I really like the lay-out, but I'll get used to that. I don't like the way ff4 renders text! It's blurry on my pc It seems I'm not the only one having this problem.

And I liked that ff3 asked if you wanted to save your tabs when exiting, something that's disabled in ff4. Luckily there's 'about:config' , so my ff4 is still kindly asking me if I want to save my tabs, good boy