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Mozilla Launches Firefox 4.0

Supernova

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Supernova Gold Member

Supernova

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Mozilla Launches Firefox 4.0

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After needing to release a second Release Candidate just over a week ago, Mozilla have finally signed off on version 4.0 and made it available to the public ahead of the official launch date of March 22.

The Firefox website has yet to be updated, but we expect this will happen within the next 24 hours. More >>

Source: Neowin.net

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BB1950 Gold Member

BB1950

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Isn't it still a RC?

I would say until it is offered through an update or on the Official Mozzila Firefox website, it is another RC.

This was pointed out in the comments on the Neowin site.

whybother Star Member

whybother

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I've been using it for several months from about Beta 6. I had some problems with the Beta versions occasionally, but it's all working great now.

A couple of my add-ons are still incompatible, but I can survive without them.

Digitalbanana Diamond Member

Digitalbanana

Posted
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Isn't it still a RC?

I would say until it is offered through an update or on the Official Mozzila Firefox website, it is another RC.

This was pointed out in the comments on the Neowin site.

The update to FF4 works through FF4 RC Help About.

whybother Star Member

whybother

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Is it just me or does it look like IE9??

The question should be ... Does IE9 look like Firefox 4? or ... do both of them look like Google Chrome?

BB1950 Gold Member

BB1950

Posted
Posted

Isn't it still a RC?

I would say until it is offered through an update or on the Official Mozzila Firefox website, it is another RC.

This was pointed out in the comments on the Neowin site.

The update to FF4 works through FF4 RC Help About.

Yes, that's because FF4 RC is a RC.

BB1950 Gold Member

BB1950

Posted
Posted

The last RC is the 'final' version.

Already installed this on my notebook, works a treat :)

How are you so sure?

This from Mike Beltzner, Mozilla's director of Firefox:

As part of Mozilla's open source process we post our builds publicly for testing and verification. These builds are part of our open development process. While we appreciate everyone's excitement about the Firefox 4 release, these builds are currently NOT FINAL, and are still going through QA testing. Firefox 4 is expected to launch tomorrow morning as the QA process is complete and the first run experience and interactive launch events are ready. In the meantime, we would prefer that people download and test the Firefox 4 release candidate from: www.mozilla.com/firefox/rc

I'll wait for the real thing from Mozilla.

whybother Star Member

whybother

Posted
Posted

<snip>

I'll wait for the real thing from Mozilla.

Why wait? There will only be minor (if any) differences between the current RC and the first release, and it will automatically update when the RC becomes final.

Supernova Gold Member

Supernova

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Posted

The last RC is the 'final' version.

Already installed this on my notebook, works a treat :)

How are you so sure?

This from Mike Beltzner, Mozilla's director of Firefox:

As part of Mozilla's open source process we post our builds publicly for testing and verification. These builds are part of our open development process. While we appreciate everyone's excitement about the Firefox 4 release, these builds are currently NOT FINAL, and are still going through QA testing. Firefox 4 is expected to launch tomorrow morning as the QA process is complete and the first run experience and interactive launch events are ready. In the meantime, we would prefer that people download and test the Firefox 4 release candidate from: www.mozilla.com/firefox/rc

I'll wait for the real thing from Mozilla.

^ Yes I am.

Well, we can always wait for the official announcement, then compare MD5 checksums. If they don't match, I'll be happy to admit 'fault' in posting erroneous information.

FWIW, Mozilla has tagged RC (in this case, RC2) as final before -- this isn't something new.

BB1950 Gold Member

BB1950

Posted
Posted

<snip>

I'll wait for the real thing from Mozilla.

Why wait? There will only be minor (if any) differences between the current RC and the first release, and it will automatically update when the RC becomes final.

Simple.... Extension Compatibility

I've already heard that one of my favorite extensions 'MultirowBookmarksToolbar' is not compatible with this release. Who knows what other extensions that I frequently use are not compatible. The main reason I use Firefox is because of the ability to enhance it with extensions. Usually with every major release of Firefox, it takes at least several weeks before my favorite extensions to be made compatible.

BB1950 Gold Member

BB1950

Posted
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One of those things I don't like about FF -- "broken extensions" after a major update.

Don't have this problem on Chrome...

But then Chrome is weak when it comes to available extensions. One of those things I don't like about Chrome.

Unfortunately there is no one browser that fits all.

Phil Conners Diamond Member

Phil Conners

Posted
Posted

One of those things I don't like about FF -- "broken extensions" after a major update.

Don't have this problem on Chrome...

But then Chrome is weak when it comes to available extensions. One of those things I don't like about Chrome.

Unfortunately there is no one browser that fits all.

Why do you think that? Maybe not as many as for FF which has been around considerably longer, but I don't know of any extension I need that isn't available for Chrome.

Tywais Star Member

Tywais

Posted
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Please do not supply direct links to executables. This is Thaivisa standard policy as there is no guarantee files may not be "loaded". A link to the download site is sufficient and members can verify validity.

Thanks.

BB1950 Gold Member

BB1950

Posted
Posted

One of those things I don't like about FF -- "broken extensions" after a major update.

Don't have this problem on Chrome...

But then Chrome is weak when it comes to available extensions. One of those things I don't like about Chrome.

Unfortunately there is no one browser that fits all.

Why do you think that? Maybe not as many as for FF which has been around considerably longer, but I don't know of any extension I need that isn't available for Chrome.

You just answered the question yourself. For most of my favorite extensions there is no equivalent in Chrome.

IMO:

Until Firefox 3.0 came about, FireFox was just another browser (the extensions were just as unsuitable). I'm a power user and I live in my browser. Chrome has to 'mature' a lot more before it will be an option for me to even consider. Presently despite all the hype there are still a lot of limitations to Chrome. I'm not saying Firefox is any better (it has its limitations too). So a discussion about which browser is best, is a mute point. It really depends on the use. For some people IE6 is sufficient (although it suffers from serious security problems). It's just right now, Firefox meets my requirements best.

BB1950 Gold Member

BB1950

Posted
Posted

Firefox 4 offically released

Checked MD5 hash and it's identical to RC2, so if you're running RC2 you already have 'final' version.

I hope this clears all the confusion.

Enjoy FF4! :)

Well, it looks as though you are correct. Although, I will continue to use FF3.6.15 for awhile longer. I just checked before allowing the update and 26 of my favorite extensions are not compatible (which didn't surprise me).I think I have to agree with FarangBuddha.

BB1950 Gold Member

BB1950

Posted
Posted

Yes, I got the 3.6.16 update the day after FF4 was released, which surprised me. It goes to show that Mozilla is still supporting version 3 for now.

However, I've researched the problems I had with extension compatibility. Most of the ones that weren't compatible have been abandoned by the authors. Almost all of the supported extensions were compatible and the setup program found about a half dozen replacements or beta upgrades for the ones that weren't compatible. I was able to find new alternatives for about a half dozen of the abandoned extensions. Through research, I found the other 10 or so of the abandoned extensions actually do function properly in FF4. So it's now just a matter of modifying the xpi files to increase the Firefox support version and reinstall. Maybe in the future someone will carry on support for them. Many users are begging for them to be taken over by someone and updated. There were some extensions that I could do away with, as their functionality is now incorporated in FF4 (i.e. spell checking). There were some extensions that I haven't used in years and had forgotten all about them. A good opportunity to clean house.

I found it interesting that with many of the abandoned extensions, the authors were demanding donations to support the product. Which they haven't provided any support for several years! Kind of like they are pirates in another form.

I've now got FF4 mostly configured the way I prefer. I discovered that FF4 can be pretty much configured to have the same messy cluttered look that old timers are familiar with in FF3. Complete with the familiar status, menu, bookmark and tab bars.

I haven had time to do thorough testing. But I immediately noticed on my Windows 7 system, the dramatic speed improvement. Especially with scrolling and zooming. The page displays are also considerably sharper. I've noticed a quite of new extensions just for FF4 and above. Which look very intriguing. I'll try them soon along with some of the other new features. I'm really looking forward installing FF4 on my Android mobile phone to be able to sync passwords, form fill data, history, bookmarks, and open tabs.

Overall, I'm glad I made the move. It was worth the effort. I'm a happy camper now. :D

Supernova Gold Member

Supernova

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I've now got FF4 mostly configured the way I prefer. I discovered that FF4 can be pretty much configured to have the same messy cluttered look that old timers are familiar with in FF3. Complete with the familiar status, menu, bookmark and tab bars.

FF4 interface is highly customizable. I've been using it for almost 3 days now, very pleased with it. Looks like I will be switching back from Chrome. :) I still think Chrome is a great browser, but it never felt quite "right" to begin with.

hml367 Gold Member

hml367

Posted
Posted

It doesn't seem much different than the Chrome version I have already and there are still drawbacks which make me want to use IE9 as my preferred browser. For me it isn't any faster, in general, than IE 9.

I haven't been able to find out yet how to pin the Bookmarks like a sidebar.

MSPain

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