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Firefox UI revamp sparks complaints, searches for alternatives
Computer World ^ | May 13, 2014 | Gregg Keizer

Posted on 05/15/2014 7:38:28 AM PDT by CedarDave

Some Firefox users, cranky about the overhaul of the browser's user interface, have scrambled to find ways to make the latest version look more like older editions.

Two weeks ago, Mozilla launched Firefox 29, the first production-grade version that sported the new "Australis" UI. The visual redesign, the most dramatic for Firefox since March 2011, was Mozilla's attempt to both streamline the browser's look and feel and standardize it across all platforms, from desktop to mobile.

Many of Australis' visual changes were subtle, such as more rounded tabs, inactive tabs that faded deeper into the background and a revamped customization panel. Australis also dumped the orange-colored Firefox menu in Windows, an element that first popped up in Firefox 4.

Some people balked at the changes.

"After updating to [Firefox] 29.0.1 I could barely use Firefox," complained a user identified as pdrummond on May 9, writing on MozillaZine, a third-party discussion board. "It's taken me an hour to get the UI back to a usable state and I'm more than a little annoyed."

"This is useless, please do not copy the Google Chrome," someone identified as imdawe said yesterday, also on MozillaZine. "WE DO NOT WANT GOOGLE CHROME UI. If we want that then we would use Google Chrome."

(Excerpt) Read more at computerworld.com ...


TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: firefox; mozilla
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To: CedarDave

the sad thing is, theres no real good alternative. Opera used to be the best and now its now worst than Chrome or Firefox


21 posted on 05/15/2014 8:10:40 AM PDT by 4rcane
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To: CedarDave

Only perverts use Firefox.


22 posted on 05/15/2014 8:17:21 AM PDT by stinkerpot65 (Global warming is a Marxist lie.)
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To: CedarDave

I gave up on Firefox at version 15. Every new version seemed to create more conflicts with other programs than they were worth. Adobe Flash conflicted. PDF files conflicted. Extensions quit working (many creators bowed out when Mozilla started the rapid release insanity).

I never understood any software company that removed functions from their program. Many times those were very functions I used the program for. I have dumped many new/update versions for that very reason.

==

IE has similar problems. I use an old IE-based browser to view FR because of its tabs and some add-ons that are no longer available or updated. IE 10 automatically installed on my desktop PC and it killed some of the add-ons. I replaced it with IE 9 and the add-ons work again.

==

I hate UPDATES and UPGRADES. They usually create more problems than they resolve.


23 posted on 05/15/2014 8:26:40 AM PDT by TomGuy
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To: CedarDave
...the Pale Moon browser as an alternative.

Think I'll just stick with Opera, thanks mate. Much faster and crashes less -and the homosexual mafia supporters at HoMozilla can keep their soddy product.

24 posted on 05/15/2014 8:34:12 AM PDT by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the mooslimbs trying to kill them-)
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To: 4rcane

I dunno about that. Using version 12.16 here on a ‘nix system and it works quite well for pretty much everything I need it to do. Plus, the built-in mail reader is quite handy as well.


25 posted on 05/15/2014 8:45:33 AM PDT by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the mooslimbs trying to kill them-)
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To: CedarDave

Yup, Pale Moon is the way to go. I have occasional crashes, but it easily reopens right where I was. More stable than FireFox though.

But I don;t understand the people who go with Chrome. Every time I look at the Chrome logo, all I can think about is Google’s all-seeing eye. Watching.


26 posted on 05/15/2014 8:47:58 AM PDT by Svartalfiar
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To: CedarDave

You are welcome. Pale moon is looking good. Like the Firefox I am used to. With history, bookmark buttons I can add and customize the way I want

I use the history and bookmark sidebars buttons all the time and the new Firfox v 29 makes a one step process into a two step process. Plus it screwed with address bar and button placement. Made it less customizable.


27 posted on 05/15/2014 8:56:00 AM PDT by dennisw (The first principle is to find out who you are then you can achieve anything -- Buddhist monk)
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To: CedarDave

You save the extension to your pc then right click on it and “open with” notepad. You then change the version number if the creator of the app did not come up with an update. Now they are saying it won’t work.


28 posted on 05/15/2014 9:24:26 AM PDT by minnesota_bound
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To: stinkerpot65

Eeek!
http://www.perdaily.com/Pervert.jpg


29 posted on 05/15/2014 9:25:47 AM PDT by minnesota_bound
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To: rdb3; Calvinist_Dark_Lord; JosephW; Only1choice____Freedom; amigatec; Still Thinking; ...

30 posted on 05/15/2014 9:29:11 AM PDT by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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To: minnesota_bound

Firefox has lost 3.3 percentage points of user share in the past 12 months, representing a decline of 16% from its April 2013 standing.


So they alienate the remaining customers with a design that people had been complaining about when it was in beta form. Hmmm... sounds like they hired people from Microsoft 8 build team.

At least some one is trying to fix it. See the screenshot at the bottom of the article.

“The Classic Theme Restorer add-on will return some, but not all, of Firefox 29’s UI elements to their previous positions, including the main menu that had lived on the left side of the windows since 2011.”


31 posted on 05/15/2014 9:31:08 AM PDT by minnesota_bound
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To: Salgak

Sounds like they are,making excuses maybe?

Personally I hate change for the sake of change in my software. MS office started with their awful ribbon bar everyone copies now. Then the disastrous windows 8 UI. I use my computer every day for business and when this happens I waste days.


32 posted on 05/15/2014 9:31:53 AM PDT by Organic Panic
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To: CedarDave

That’s typical with any of the major updates to FF.


33 posted on 05/15/2014 9:34:03 AM PDT by Straight Vermonter (Posting from deep behind the Maple Curtain)
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To: CedarDave

Another vote here for Pale Moon.


34 posted on 05/15/2014 9:44:50 AM PDT by Oshkalaboomboom
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To: CedarDave

Go to http://www.oldapps.com if you want the older version of any software back.


35 posted on 05/15/2014 9:47:15 AM PDT by minnesota_bound
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To: Salgak

Frak No .. :p I have been using Pale Moon since :/ (sad, since I was a FF user since it was changed from Netscape :( )..


36 posted on 05/15/2014 10:10:14 AM PDT by Bikkuri (Molon Labe)
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To: CedarDave

I’m not really sure what the fuss is about. I couldn’t even see a difference, updated and came back the same ol Firefox. People whine too much.


37 posted on 05/15/2014 1:17:49 PM PDT by discostu (Seriously, do we no longer do "phrasing"?!)
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To: CedarDave

I’m using Safari since the FF /gay debacle. Still use FF for some banking.
My biggest issue is the Safari / OSX mail app. Like T’bird much better.


38 posted on 05/15/2014 2:41:57 PM PDT by Vinnie
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To: discostu; CedarDave
I’m not really sure what the fuss is about. I couldn’t even see a difference, updated and came back the same ol Firefox. People whine too much.

The only thing I find extremely irritating is that FWD/BACK and REFRESH are tied into the address bar - I prefer Home, Back/fwd. and Refresh to be in the far left of the bar, as they are what I use primarily, and need to be in that premium real estate. I can still get an approximation by moving buttons, but refresh is tied hard to the right side of the address bar.

I know... F5... or RClick/Refresh... But it bugs me.

39 posted on 05/15/2014 2:43:15 PM PDT by roamer_1 (Globalism is just socialism in a business suit.)
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To: roamer_1

I didn’t like that change, but that’s and old change... well software old, at least 6 months. Certainly not a 28 to 29 change.


40 posted on 05/15/2014 2:47:43 PM PDT by discostu (Seriously, do we no longer do "phrasing"?!)
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