FireFox 0.8 is Released!

[GolfProRM]

Mozilla.org has just released Firefox 0.8! Many of you still know it as Firebird, but due to a possible conflict with an existing open-source project, they changed the name to Firefox. They just released the new version this weekend!

Best place to find it is http://www.texturizer.net/firefox

You will need to remove your MozillaFirebird directory as this one will install in a new place. You should still be able to use your old profile (it didn't move), but you might want to update any extensions that you use.

The sites are a bit slow today, but it's worth the time to get the new version!

[Amie]

Thanks Ryan,

I have been eagerly waiting for this, shame about the name change, I love Firebird :)

Amie :amie:

[LeRoi]

Originally posted by GolfProRM@Feb 9 2004, 10:35 AM
You will need to remove your MozillaFirebird directory as this one will install in a new place.
This is something I am curious about; where exactly will Firefox want to install itself and is there a way to direct it to a folder of my choosing?

I prefer to use an installer, but if it will not permit me to direct the installation to a folder of my choice, I will have to look into an alternative way of installing, if I install Firefox at all (BTW, hate the name, why couldn't it be Dragon or Pteradactyl, something to do with a lizard of some kind anyway).

Mozilla is still my preferred browser, may wait for Firefox (yuck!) 1.0.

[BrianT1701]

Man, I really want this, but the FTP must be really bogged down...

I will keep trying....

[GolfProRM]

The installer will allow you to choose where you want it installed, so I guess you could install it in the old directory...

The news was slashdotted today, so everything is bogged down.

[LeRoi]

I would install to a newly created directory. I always delete the old directory after uninstalling and create a new one before installing new versions; same procedure I follow for Mozilla.

Just wanted to be sure before trying the new Firefox (yuck!), probably wait till late tonight to attempt a download.

[BrianT1701]

I just was able to get it, and in my haste I forgot to backup my bookmarks, since I deleted my profile and everything, but most of the bookmarks are still in IE, so Firefox found those and all was not lost.

Now, I will just have to wait til late tonight to get some extensions because it is impossible to get them now...

[Jane]

This is a good site to download Firefox :)

Firefox (http://mozilla.isc.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/0.8/)

[carolj100]

I think I'll give it a couple of days. Let me know if you guys have problems. BTW, I kinda like the name!

[LeRoi]

The name's beginning to grow on me; I now recall a Clint Eastwood movie of the same name, good movie.

Clint's our favorite.

[Crockett]

I was able to get a download here MajorGeeks (http://www.majorgeeks.com/download2248.html). You may also want to try their mirror sites (http://www.mozilla.org/mirrors.html)

[BrianT1701]

Anyone able to get to any extensions yet? I was able to get to some themes and install my favorite, but haven't been able to get at any extensions....

[GolfProRM]

I'd be surprised if you can get many extensions today... I would think things will calm down by tomorrow...

[Crockett]

I just downloaded and installed all the extensions I wanted just now. :)
I'm impressed with it so far. I've played around with it for a few hours and haven't noticed any quirks.
When I installed it, I chose a "Custom" install that alllowed me to place the Directory folder into a place of my choice. The first choice does not allow that. It will install it in the default C:\Program Files\Firefox.
Also, the profile folder is now located inside the Directory folder.
It is very fast.

[GolfProRM]

Originally posted by Crockett@Feb 10 2004, 03:02 AM
Also, the profile folder is now located inside the Directory folder.

Umm... Last I checked (just now), the profile folder is still where it's always been. There is a profile-type folder in the program directory, but it just contains the Mozilla bookmarks and basic stuff to help create a new profile if needed.

[Crockett]

Sorry, you're right! :wacko: I swear I looked high and low for that folder inside C:\Documents and Settings\User Name\Application Data\Phoenix\Profiles\Default\psxzriyn.slt and it wasn't there, but it is now.
Maybe that was before I even used it...it was late and I was tired :wacko:

[Eve]

With all the glowing testimonials about FireBird/FireFox I am tempted to try it.
I have a couple of queries though that I hope someone may help me with.
1. Is Sun Java required?, I have MS VM.
2. I know its a 6MB download, but how much disk space does it take when unzipped?
3. Would there be any problems uninstalling if I decided not to keep it?
4. At present I use SlimBrowser and IE. Can anyone who has both FireFox and SlimBrowser give me a comparison. I like SB but do like trying out new things.
Any advice would be appreciated :unsure:

[Crockett]

1. YES. Sun Java is needed if you want to use java in Firefox. The good news is you can also use Sun Java for I.E., which may be a good idea since Microsoft has stopped support on Microsoft JVM.

2. It shows up just over 17 MB in Add/Remove Programs. The Sun Java shows up at just over 100MB.

3. NO. It's listed in Add/Remove Programs and when uninstalling, it will also ask if you want to delete the profile as well.

4. I don't use Slim Browser, but I believe it's just an extension of Internet Explorer, meaning it needs I.E. to be installed and uses some of it's tools. Any security risks encountered within I.E. will affect it.
Firefox is a complete browser that works alone. It allows you to install features only if you want them added, so you're not getting excess bloat. It does not use ActiveX controls like I.E. does.
Other than that, it uses tabbed browsing like Slim Browser.

[Eve]

Thanks for that Crockett. I had no idea the Sun Java thing took so much space. Guess it would be a long download too. I am assuming that both the Java versions can be installed, and that there must be a way to make one the default. Think I will have to do a bit more homework before I venture into the whole thing.

http://www.emotipad.com/newemoticons/Wave-Hello.gif Eve

[GolfProRM]

The download for Java 1.4.2 is a total of 14.52 Mb's... Your best bet would be to install this and Uninstal MS Java VM... Sun Java will work just fine in IE and SlimBrowser, so there's no need for MS Java.

I think you'd like Firebird quite a bit... It's got all the features of SlimBrowser, but a much cleaner interface. :)

[Crockett]

I'm having a few issues with it. I've been testing it out as the only browser I've been using since I installed it.
1. I downloaded PrefButtons 0.2 and when I went to use the "Clear Cache" button on the toolbar, it didn't work. In fact, I got an illegal operation message when I went to close the browser after that and had to manually delete my cache.

2. It must have a problems handling Resources/memory. I already had to shut it down last night because it was over 100,000 K (see attachment) and it's going back up again this morning (at 96,000 presently). I have 7 tabs open at all times, so it will be high, but this is ridiculous.

3. My Bookmarks. Last night, I opened up the "Manage Bookmarks" and listed all of them "by name" (alphabeticallt) and today, they were back to being mixed up.

4. Some web pages aren't being displayed properly, as the screen rolls off to the right, but a scroll bar at the bottom doesn't appear to see the rest of it.

5. It has a problem for some reason, not showing certain java applets. See this thread (http://www.worldstart.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=32011) I started.

6. When I hit the "Back" button, it doesn't take me to the spot on I was at on the last page. It takes me back to the top of the page even though I was 2/3 of the way down. At forums, that's irritating.

[BrianT1701]

I've always had the back button problem, not on all pages but it does that on ebay, and when I am looking at different items, when it goes back to the top that is really annoying.

Sometimes, Firefox doesn't shut down if I close it, and when I go to open it, I get some select profile screen, so I am forced to control alt delete, and shut it down manually, then it opens fine.

The bookmark thing hardly ever works for me, even in FB 0.7. They are always crazy unless I manually put them in order.

[Amie]

I installed Firefox this morning, while keeping my Firebird installation intact, though I disabled all extensions in it, before installing Firefox as per instructions, and was delighted at how easy it all went.
Did not have to reinstall Java or Shockwave, just copied 3 files over from one plug-in directory to the other. Been using Firefox all afternoon, and had no problems at all. :)

Amie :amie:

[amb141]

Yes, the installation is extraordinarily easy with the installer version. Just download FF to the desktop, DISABLE any extensions you might have in 0.7, delete the mozver.dat file (I don't know if this is actually necessary), run the installer allowing FF to be placed in its default directory (Mozilla Firefox) -- open FF, re-enable any extensions that are left (in Tools | Options | Extensions) and re-gather the extensions that you may want and which have disappeared (I am assuming that out of date, incompatible extensions drift off into the ether.)

THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ANY NEED TO UNINSTALL AN EARLIER VERSION OF FIREBIRD BEFORE INSTALLING FIREFOX (but I did subsequently.)

My Java installation seemed to carry over from its previous installation but I did have to reinstall Flash and Shockwave from my backup of installer packages to associate them with FF. I haven't yet looked into the QT plugin.

It may be the wishful thinking effect at work, or maybe I'm just getting real good throughput this Sunday morning, but FF seems noticeably faster to render webpages than even FB 0.7 -- which is saying something.

Hate the new name though. What's a "Firefox"???

alan

[carolj100]

Alan, I believe "Firefox" was the title of some books that came out several years ago regarding the back-to-the-earth movement, based in Virginia or West Virginia. But this probably has nothing to do with the decision to rename the browser.

[LeRoi]

Crockett, try limiting the memory cache capacity with these lines added to user.js:

// Specify the amount of memory cache in kilobytes:
user_pref("browser.cache.memory.capacity", 4096);

[Crockett]

Thanks, LeRoi...I'll try that.
The only thing that's really still bugging me is the browser eating up all my memory/resources and I'm using XP....if I use it all day, it skyrockets. Yesterday, when it started acting all weird, I checked my processes and it was over 215,000 :wacko:

Actually, I totally forgot to add my user.js file I backed up from Firebird, and that was already in it.

[carolj100]

I think I'll continue to wait a bit longer. Amie, are you having any such difficulties?

[Amie]

I think I'll continue to wait a bit longer. Amie, are you having any such difficulties?

To be totally honest with you Carol, I started having problems with Firefox, working with my TBE extension, and messed it up trying to get it to work, so I uninstalled both fox and bird and did a clean install of Firebird, and think I will stick with that until some of the known bugs are sorted out with Firefox.

:amie:

[carolj100]

Okay. :lol: I'll just let it ride. I'm perfectly happy with what I have now. :rolleyes:

[LeRoi]

I'm hangin' onto Firebird 0.7 for a while yet too.

Of course it plays second fiddle to Mozilla (1.6) on my system anyway. :king:

[Suze]

Hi all ..... I use mozilla 1.6 and am just wondering what is the advantage is of using firefox over mozilla if any
thanks

[amb141]

Suze

I have not used Mozilla 1.6 but Firefox is certainly faster to render webpages that Mozilla 1.5. In fact, it is faster than ANY browser I have used, including Opera and K-Meleon -- but I haven't used the most recent versions of those browsers, either.

There probably isn't any real practical advantage (aside from speed -- maybe.)

Firefox (or whatever they will be calling it by then) 1.0, the official, ready to go, non Beta release will be coming this summer.

BTW, Crockett, Amie and Elwood....

I haven't seen any of the issues that y'all have using Firefox and I don't know why -- except perhaps that I DID NOT uninstall Firebird 0.7 before installing Firefox (the exact opposite of the suggested procedure in the past for all previous releases of Firebird.)

alan

[LeRoi]

I haven't tried Firefox yet. Still using my trusty Mozilla 1.6, still have FB 0.7 installed. Mozilla 1.6 seems slightly faster (with tweaks applied to both).

[Amie]

Originally posted by amb141@Feb 20 2004, 04:57 PM
BTW, Crockett, Amie and Elwood....

I haven't seen any of the issues that y'all have using Firefox and I don't know why -- except perhaps that I DID NOT uninstall Firebird 0.7 before installing Firefox (the exact opposite of the suggested procedure in the past for all previous releases of Firebird.)

alan
Alan,

I did not uninstall Firebird either before installing Firefox, all I did was disable all the extensions I had installed, I even kept the same profile, which was shared with both of them. I think some of the problems I had with Fox were of my own doing as I installed an updated version of TabBrowser Extension which didn't agree with it. At the moment I am still quite happily using Firebird and will continue to do so until the TBE extension is sorted out. Plus I hated the new download manager in Fox.


:amie: