Whirlpool

Firefox 3 has now gone to Release Candidate 1.

I said long ago, that once Firefox hit v3 on the Mac, I would most likely switch back from Safari (as it's my browser of choice on any Windows machine).

It looks like I've been true to my word, for the past week I had switched back to beta 5, and the changes are astounding over FF2.x (for the Mac).

The speed increases are quite incredible, and in most cases, it beats Safari 3.1 (not sure on WebKit). The toolbar, is FINALLY something that feels as though it fits in on the Mac.

For those that discounted Firefox from their main browser because it was ugly and slow, I'd say give the new RC a shot.

Note: One thing I noticed was that if you had old Firefox preferences, the toolbar colour looks like it's 2 different shades of grey. It only looks correct on a "clean" install.

Also, there's still a few things that I prefer in Safari, for example the Preview plug-in so I can view PDF's right in the browser. That said, I think the guys who've worked on the OS X build of Firefox have done a great job.

To those interested, it still scores a 71 on the Acid 3 test (and still passes Acid 2).

Edit: Woops, a link would be handy. www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/all-beta.html

Just installed it. Looking good. Feels faster but I have only just installed. Thanks for the heads up.

I was really reluctant upgrading to Firefox 3 because so many extensions don't work and the default theme is really ugly.

But I finally bit the bullet and upgraded it! :)

What I've done:

Changed some extensions: e.g. Drag de Go to Easy GragToGo, because the latter supports Firefox 3

Upgraded some extensions to their dev/unofficial releases: e.g. the Gmail Manager has to be upgraded to a modified version in order for it to work properly

And finally, installed the GrApple Yummy theme! :) The default Proto theme for the Firefox 3 is really ugly, I couldn't stand it. But now my Firefox looks almost identical to Safari, sweet! :)

I'm happy, Firefox 3 works heaps better than 2.

Is there a working mouse gestures extension with RC1?

FireGestures works fine.

It only got released today I believe (I downloaded b5 yesterday at work as that was the latest), so it might be a few days til some extensions are updated.

Just upgraded from Beta 5, seems exactly the same but the net usage item dosen't work, bummer.

dfunked writes...

To those interested, it still scores a 71 on the Acid 3 test (and still passes Acid 2).

Are there any browser's that get 100 yet?

bloodvial writes...

Are there any browser's that get 100 yet?

Yeah, WebKit (which ends up as a Safari build).

bloodvial writes...

Just upgraded from Beta 5, seems exactly the same

The notice is more for those still on FF 2.x who are suffering needlessly :D

2 add-ons that are not working with rc1 are stumbleupon (3.18) BugMeNot (1.8) if anyone is using these.

And iWeb generated sites still do not work (on .mac) :(

works fine with all other browsers

bloodvial writes...

Just upgraded from Beta 5

Beta 5 was crashing extremely often.

Net usage works here... Just need to use the night tester to activate the extension

bloodvial writes...

net usage item dosen't work

/forum-replies.cfm?t=803008&p=25#r487

I upgraded earlier this afternoon on both Mac and PC.

It is my secondary browser on the Mac, but primary on the PC.

Loving it (I actually prefer the Windows version... it looks better! Unlike the Mac one which feels like a Safari rip-off (same colour scheme)).

I still use both though. Fantastic browser, it is my browser of choice on the PC but not on the Mac (yet). :-)

Huy writes...

I actually prefer the Windows version... it looks better! Unlike the Mac one which feels like a Safari rip-off (same colour scheme)

I'm the complete opposite (for once!) haha.. I think it looks ... odd .. on Windows.. the icons just seems out of place, and while everyone thinks it's a "Safari rip-off", that's mainly because it's actually using the Cocoa menu now so it looks more like your regular Leopard app.

I like the look of it on Mac much more then PC. Feels completely weird looking at it on PC. I love Safari, but their failure to support popular WYSIWYG editors with Online Applications we use makes it a non-viable option. It is a real shame as the browser is fantastic, and I like the snappiness of it compared to FF2 and FF3. However as long as they are living in the dark ages and not getting enough support out there for these editors then they are unviable.

There's the argument that the developers should develop for Safari bla bla bla. Well they work in IE 5+, Firefox 1+, and many other popular browsers such as Opera and on line Konqurer. Apple needs to pull their finger out, speed is great, compatibility with websites for intended use is also great.

Regards,

.Joel

It broke facebook chat for me. So I've gone back to safari.

Also, westpac netbanking still doesn't render correctly.

It breaks Whirlpool+ :(

Thgirw Nomis writes...

It breaks Whirlpool+ :(

Do this.
/forum-replies.cfm?t=977914&p=2#r24

handleless writes...

FireGestures works fine.

i was using Mouse Gestures before but this does not work in v3. All attempts to install FireGestures fails - any assistance would be appreciated. I don't browse too well without mouse gestures!

HonestMarty writes...

i was using Mouse Gestures before but this does not work in v3. All attempts to install FireGestures fails - any assistance would be appreciated.

On the previous page I already gave a link to force old extensions to work with FF3. You need to disable the compatibility check.

Firegesture and Adblock plus certain does work with FF3 RC1.

I'm far from a fan of the back and forward button design.
Is there a purpose to the different shapes or is it just plain silly?

Use small icons if you don't like it. I don't mind them, the Windows buttons look worse IMO.

dfunked writes...

Use small icons

yep, better. Thanks.

I am finding this firefox considerably superior to the version i had before .
Only used the version before for 10 minutes due to pages taking over 1 minute to load as well as being very pale in color.

S-MurFy writes...

On the previous page I already gave a link to force old extensions to work with FF3. You need to disable the compatibility check.

yep you sure did - thank you.

dfunked writes...

I don't mind them, the Windows buttons look worse IMO.

I find the default FF3 OS X interface quite bland, I actually have to use the Safari skin as a result.

However, I find the FF3 Windows interface more pleasing, now if only I can import this skin to OS X. A couple of FF3 interface pics on OS X and Windows, top is Win.

img167.imageshack.us/img...1/ff3rc1aei1.jpg
img167.imageshack.us/img...8/ff3rc1brp0.jpg

HonestMarty writes...

yep you sure did - thank you.

No worries. If there is a FF add-on I think everyone should have, it's speed dial, borrowed from Opera.
img146.imageshack.us/img...speeddialpo5.jpg

That's how it looks on Vista.. on XP though, very ugly.

img241.imageshack.us/img.../picture1ab5.png

The main difference between XP and Vista seems to be the colour of the back/forward buttons. There's a few hundred FF addon skins you can use. I've got these atm on my XP machine.
img93.imageshack.us/img9.../ff3skinszh1.jpg

Still all ugly looking to me.. anyway, this is to do with the OS X build :D

I actually like the MacOSX build for Firefox it really blends in nicely.

So, are any other folks using FF3RC1 on OSX experiencing a bug whereby the windows are always maximising? (Bugzilla #429954)

It's very annoying...

HN writes...

It broke facebook chat for me. So I've gone back to safari.

Facebook chat now working fine.

Firebug is broken with RC1 - you can't run code for example to test jquery out for web development. boo.

Great, works very well.

They have FINALLY fixed the Cmd-W close window bug (or non-Mac behaviour): when you close the window it closes, you don't have to use Cmd-Shift-W!

In my opinion FF has always had the best Find feature, it's possibly the one feature that for me gives FF the edge. However it isn't perfect: when you find a word or phrase not currently showing, the page is redrawn with the found text on THE BOTTOM LINE so you can't see its context -- really annoying, now you have to scroll up a few lines to see the surrounding text. Much better to display the found text a few lines up or even in the centre of the screen.
Otherwise I love using FF.

I hated the large back button but I have just fixed that very easily with this tip - www.lifehacker.com.au/ti...ck_button-2.html

I may take a look too at the Safari Skin mentioned above. After giving up on FF2 and just taking FF3RC1 for a spin I think that I may switch back, but I have gotten very fond of the Safari interface.

Another reason to go back to FF is Google Browser Sync and the ext that saves my page visits in my Google account.

looks great but my ftp extension isnt compatable bugger

Super Roach writes...

Firebug is broken with RC1

Are you using the 1.1 beta? www.getfirebug.com

Working fine for what I've used it for so far.

With all extensions that are said to be incompatible, there's the tip above to remove the compatibility check, but also check the author's website. They often put BETA versions on there that will work.