Review: Firefox 3.6 brings joy to Web devs, not just users
By Ryan Paul | Last updated January 21, 2010
Mozilla's Firefox got a bit hotter today with the official release of version 3.6, a noteworthy update of the popular open source Web browser. It's an incremental improvement that introduces a modest assortment of new features and expands the browser's support for emerging Web standards. It will add fuel to the fire as the flame-throwing fox continues to scorch Internet Explorer's declining marketshare, bringing more choice and openness to the Web.
It's been roughly six months since the release of Firefox 3.5, Mozilla's last major update. This new release is less ambitious, but just as solid. Although there aren't a lot of significant user-facing features to talk about, there are some compelling improvements for Web developers. In this review we will look at both sides of the browser.
From: leonsk [#2] 21 Jan 18:48 To: Cagey (KGWAGNER) [#1] 21 Jan 18:49
I have not looked at FF3.6 yet because have been using Chrome for the past week. Chrome has really grown up and is very nice at this time. Fast and no problems at all.
Will fire up FF which should bring the update install.
From: Cagey (KGWAGNER) [#3] 21 Jan 19:04 To: leonsk [#2] 21 Jan 19:59
I'm not getting the update, so they may not be distributing it yet. Either that, or my version is OS-specific so I have to wait for the repository to update.
From: leonsk [#4] 21 Jan 20:01 To: Cagey (KGWAGNER) [#3] 21 Jan 22:23
I am in Mint Gloria, had 3.5.something, opened that then went to the Help|check for updates. Sure enuff, had it, so allowed the download and install. Usual rolling off a log item.
From: NateHoy [#5] 21 Jan 20:05 To: Cagey (KGWAGNER) [#3] 21 Jan 22:23
It is. I got it on Windows and it seemed a bit faster to me, but I haven't seen it in the Ubuntu / Mint repositories yet, and I expect it'll be a day or two before they vet it out and post it.
I don't know if Mozilla maintains a Debian-compatible repo for Firefox, but if they do you could probably add it and get the latest a little sooner each time.
From: leonsk [#8] 22 Jan 0:31 To: Cagey (KGWAGNER) [#6] 22 Jan 0:45
Install the FF 3.6 and you will see the "updates" option <grin>.
I reckon it was not in some of the earlier versions. But I did have it in my 3.5.2? or whatever I had before. Jing, jing; honto; verdad; truly. Mint Gloria (have not got around to updating to Helena on this box).
From: Cagey (KGWAGNER) [#9] 22 Jan 0:47 To: leonsk [#8] 22 Jan 0:54
This is 3.5.7, and it's not there. I've heard of it before, but on Windows versions, so I figured they put it there because Windows doesn't have an automated update for applications like Linux does.
From: NateHoy [#10] 22 Jan 19:15 To: Cagey (KGWAGNER) [#9] 22 Jan 20:37
Exactly. I think the distro versions of Firefox have the "check for updates" options ripped out, since you're supposed to be updating through the distro. You can install the Mozilla-provided version, then updates work as far as I know.
From: leonsk [#12] 22 Jan 21:06 To: Cagey (KGWAGNER) [#11] 22 Jan 21:28
I must have gone the download vs. distro repo route some time ago. I still get the mint auto updates wanting to update my FF 3.0.x; reckon that's still on my system.
But currently really liking the Chrome and just saw where the Chrome 4.1.x beta is out. Not that I want such beta because the my 4.0.295 is very satisfying.
From: dimbulb [#13] 23 Jan 10:34 To: Cagey (KGWAGNER) [#11] 23 Jan 12:49
quote:
I'm in no hurry
Good idea.
I'm getting indications that 3.6 is buggy. I've had several weird things happen on multiple PCs. The only bug that I've gotten a handle on is the Menu Bar that's supposed to configurable so that it only displays when the Alt Key is pressed. That's buggy as hell. Obviously no one ever tested it. Several reports at bugzilla verify that it's a bug.
From: Cagey (KGWAGNER) [#14] 23 Jan 12:59 To: dimbulb [#13] 23 Jan 16:32
Good to know. I already have a problem with 3.5, so I don't need a new one.
With this one, about 3 times a week or so, it'll just flip out of existence. No warning, no reduced performance, nothing. It just blinks out as if it were never loaded. Reload it, and it comes back as if nothing happened. All the tabs that were open before open back up to wherever they were, and nothing is lost. It's bizarre. It hasn't hurt me at all, but it's unsettling and I'd like for that behavior to go away.
From: leonsk [#17] 24 Jan 1:19 To: Cagey (KGWAGNER) [#16] 24 Jan 1:58
Chrome is really nice, no need to fortify self to do it. Really nice, tastes good,... have some candy young fella, it tastes so good ... free ... have some more. Gotcha.
From: Cagey (KGWAGNER) [#19] 25 Jan 7:23 To: fixrman [#18] 25 Jan 8:58
I think I'd have mixed emotions about that. It could be the password file is tied very closely to the original installation, so that copies of it wouldn't be easily read without some kind of cracker utility. That would be a Good Thing. But, I don't know that's the case.
I'm also not sure I trust any program to keep a password list for me, although I let Firefox do it for some things. Others, I neither write down or otherwise store anywhere but in my head. My head's not a particularly safe place, but it's safer than a file or a piece of paper as far as somebody else getting ahold of them. Problem with it is I might not be able to get ahold of them myself <grin>
I wonder if it might have anything to do with profiles? You may have to go into the profile manager and load your old profile in order to access your password list.
From: fixrman [#20] 25 Jan 8:58 To: Cagey (KGWAGNER) [#19] 25 Jan 10:17
Interestingly, the PM doesn't prompt to save passwords as I enter them now, and there are several behaviors reported by different people on multiple OSes.
One person noted that the password list is gone then reappears upon reloading - at times. Like me, others have lost their Master list; Vista, XP and 2000. What I have found so far seems to indicate that passwords so far are not recoverable.
The sites that I have PWM remember don't really "matter", but it still is a PIA. This is the first time I have ever experienced something like this with FF that didn't get fixed with a reload.