Firefox 3.0

[Svip]

First of all, it has not been released, there isn't even a beta version out yet. Yet I am using it, but the newest nightly build (3-nov 2006), they are updated often, so keep a head up if you go there.

 

However, I have gone through this version of Firefox, of course none of usual extensions works (well you'd expect that with an alpha version), but it is quite clear that the rendering of pages is much much faster (yes, it could be faster).

 

Also, there minor things (which were parts of the Firefox 2.0) that were quite unstable or didn't work correctly in their intend (for instance when moving my tabs, it seem to get done improbably at times), but now all these issues work fine.

 

I do say you should avoid any kind of hardcore flash site and java objects, not because they do kill the browser, but they may. However large javascript sites, like Gmail, works flawlessly.

 

Remember too, it's a nightly build, the browser could suddenly crash, their may also be holes in it.

 

Good news though, when Firefox 3.0 is finally released (probably already in its first BETA (and perhaps even before that)) it will entirely support the Acid2 test, it was done back in April 12, 2006, however, that was a special branch of the rendering engine, but according to the article, the main Firefox 3.0 branch and this branch is to be merged before its release.

 

Enough talk, here are some useful links.

 

The Burning Edge - Blog discussing the new fixes in each nightly build, updated often, so have a look now and then to see if there is a new nightly build, and if you're interested, also its fixed.

https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/fir...y/latest-trunk/ - directory where the latest nightly build always be placed for Firefox's three OS branches, Linux, Mac and Windows. However, only en-US, you can only expect local version when the final version is out.

Nightly Tester Tools - perhaps the nicest extension out there, allows you to use your usual extensions with 3.0. Also, it allows you take screenshots of the site's you're visiting without the Firefox border or menus.

 

Update

I made a video of the new browser.

 

However, you need something that can play Ogg Theora, either the VLC player or Mplayer should do the job.

Edited November 4, 2006 by Svip

[xtal256]

You got to be f**k'n kidding me!! I just got Firefox 2.0 recently and now you tell me they're working on 3.0! When i first got Firefox, it was like 1.4 or something, then i upgraded to 1.5. I thought the jump to 2.0 was big (although there was not much difference) but to go to 3.0 is huge. I don't know what is so different that can justify a leap from version 2.0 to 3.0 but if it's a lot better, I'll have to get it

[Svip]

They have been working on 3.0 since 2005. The later progress on 2.0 was merely to fix stability issues.

 

Sadly, the builds does not come with places.

 

Also, the auto-update system does work on the nightly builds, so no worries!

[Loman]

I've been hearing good things about 3.0, I haven't tried it yet, though. I'll probably wait until there's at least a beta, or RC or something. I read the feature request pages, how much is included in the build you are using?

[Svip]

As for the features. I must admit, I haven't noticed any significant new feature, the places feature will be in the final version at least, but it is not in the nightly builds, you can -- however -- build from source (with places enabled), but then you won't get the regular updates.

 

The reason why I am using is that page loads almost instantly, and a lot of features that were in 2.0, seem more stable now, as ironic as that may seem.

[xtal256]

They have been working on 3.0 since 2005. The later progress on 2.0 was merely to fix stability issues.

Really!? I got Firefox less that a year ago and it was version 1.4 then i upgraded to 1.5 a few months later. How could they have been working on 3.0 before they even released 2.0? You would think them would release one version, then start work on the next version

[Svip]

They have been working on 3.0 since 2005.  The later progress on 2.0 was merely to fix stability issues.

Really!? I got Firefox less that a year ago and it was version 1.4 then i upgraded to 1.5 a few months later. How could they have been working on 3.0 before they even released 2.0? You would think them would release one version, then start work on the next version

That's how Mozilla like it, to be ahead. They were making 1.5 before 1.0 was release, like wise, they were making 2.0 before 1.5 was released. In fact, they are already planning on 4.0.

 

Seriously, I can't see why that is a bad thing, that just means that while you think they are just bug fixing the current release, they are in fact working on their next big release!

[TheJkWhoSaysNi]

hmm, I guess that way is more efficient... I guess it means people who are working at any stage of the development will always have something to do.

 

I might get 3.0 but it seems kinda pointless to be forever running alphas. By the time 3.0 final is released there will be a 4.0 alpha.

[Tornado Rex]

AFAIK they have three different teams. One that works on just nightly and alpha builds (I think they also do the roadmaps and brainstorming), a beta team (working with the bugs of the almost finished project) and a final release team (putting everything together).

 

So it's not like there's 8 guys sitting around working on three projects at once. As soon as a release goes beta the nightly team is already onto it's next project.

[xtal256]

That's how Mozilla like it, to be ahead. They were making 1.5 before 1.0 was release, like wise, they were making 2.0 before 1.5 was released. In fact, they are already planning on 4.0.

 

Seriously, I can't see why that is a bad thing, that just means that while you think they are just bug fixing the current release, they are in fact working on their next big release!

Well i suppose if they have different teams working on each version, then that would probably be most efficient.

[Svip]

I have also found a small bit of errors in the Gecko 1.9 engine. SVG is not rendered correctly in some cases. However, I have already spotted advancements in the engine (despite being much faster) is that edges (round ones) are smoother now, and actually look round.

[jarjar]

Oh, this looks interesting. Thanks for the link, I'm gonna try this out right now .

 

Cheers'

[Chalk]

Been trying it for a few days. Notice a slight increase in the speed of most pages like you mentioned somewhere. Might notice a larger one once I have stopped being capped by my ISP.

 

Seems pretty good so far. The spell checker in versions 2 and 3 is quite handy for forums.

[BenMillard]

I would recommend against using nightly builds unless you are really interested and knowledgeable in computers (like Svip) or want to help with bug reports and testing of the product.

 

From the sounds of it, 3.0 will be a big step up. In the Windows versions of Firefox, there have always been loads of tiny but annoying interface bugs. Such as the Bookmarks submenus occasionally remaining visible after other submenus have opened up. Also, the tooltips system has been somewhat flacky since 1.5.

 

Still, I've noticed the interface in 2.0 is a lot more responsive than in 1.5 thanks to the XUL development work they did. From what Svip is reporting, the browser will continue to become even more refined and improve all the time.