Are you ready for Firefox 3?
posted at 3:00 pm on June 18, 2008 by Allahpundit
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I installed it this morning and was left with the same feelings of disappointment and existential ennui as “someone” at Ace’s place. No obvious differences in performance or functionality that I’ve noticed (although I should note I’ve never had a memory leak problem with v2), but that is one honking big dropdown menu in the address bar. I’m curious what our geek readers think. The upgrade is obligatory if you’re already a Firefox user but is there anything in the new release warranting a switch from, say, Safari? Here’s the full list of new features for easy cross-checking; I’m convinced that my iPhone fanboy-ism has spoiled me for new releases of other tech products, as anything short of revelatory improvements is bound to seem like a letdown.
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Go to mozilla.com, then add-ons, search for awesome bar. There should be results for an add-on that will revert it to the old bar.
Nevermind: HERE
Haven’t tried it yet, so fair warning.
SouthernDem on June 18, 2008 at 6:59 PM
I’m waiting until Firefox tells me I have to get rid of 2…. I heard AVG 8 isn’t compatible…. new systems always have bugs and stuff…. but I swear by Firefox.
MNDavenotPC on June 18, 2008 at 7:21 PM
Before I start the rest of my comment I have to say to anyone who is new to Firefox…the browser isn’t complete until you install the Adblock Plus add-on.
A bit too big if you ask me. All we need is URL, not page title and a giant logo to i.d favs and such. That’s too much. At least offer a setting to bring down the font on that thing.
Safari Users = Failures. Internet Explorer Users = EPIC Failures.
malan89 on June 18, 2008 at 7:36 PM
Yeah, I haven’t either. I opened up the Task Manager to see how much memory my usual 5-6 tabs was taking up and it was about the same. Maybe it’s just me but it seems like switching from tab to tab is a bit faster. Hard to tell.
malan89 on June 18, 2008 at 7:42 PM
I absolutely hate the new address bar
vcferlita on June 18, 2008 at 7:49 PM
I’ve been using FF for several years and v.3 seems to work well although I don’t like the monsterous dropdown menu from the address box. Many of the old add ons don’t work but they seem to be upgrading them. I think the new version is much faster page to page. I wish they were a little quicker with the addons though. FEBE was real handy but doesn’t work yet.
Several addons I used to think I couldn’t live without I’m finding I CAN live without. Between using FF and a customized host file, a good firewall and antivirus, I get no popups at all. Most of all be sure to keep everything up to date and do routine scans.
There are always going to be critics, I understand that. But its a heck of a lot better that IE. And I’ve not been impressed with Safari either. Go Mozilla.
dalec on June 18, 2008 at 7:54 PM
I’m also wondering about the equipment the detractors are using. Out dated equipment, cheap or free software, not enough RAM, slow hard drives, slow connections (dial up or DSL) can all play a part in the overall experience.
Get rid of the Mac, buy a new Gateway, add some Ram, and have a ball.
FireFox can’t make a slugish machine work like new again.
dalec on June 18, 2008 at 8:08 PM
Firefox sucks, and it is over-rated. I personally like IE7 a lot better. And oh by the way, I have a Linux machine running Ubuntu 8.04 with firefox which I have no problems with, but I also have a desktop with balls that runs Vista/IE7 with absolutely no problems,hangs,crashes, pauses, or general hatin. Truth is I’ve had more hangs with Firefox, and my laptop is a pretty stout machine in it’s own right. Hating Microsoft just seems so liberal to me.
gator70 on June 18, 2008 at 8:31 PM
Thanks! I’m going to see if I can get used to the awesome bar, but if I can’t I’ll use the add on thingy.
I think it’s just the new-fangled link scanner that doesn’t work. At least I hope so, since that’s what I use.
Buy Danish on June 18, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Here’s a place where you all can vote on the awesome bar (scroll down).
Buy Danish on June 18, 2008 at 8:44 PM
If anyone is unimpressed by Firefox 3 (not I though), there is also Opera, which is quite the nice browser.
modnar on June 18, 2008 at 9:27 PM
I don’t think they have updated this extension for FF3 yet. I wish they would though.
flyboy777 on June 18, 2008 at 10:20 PM
“although I should note I’ve never had a memory leak problem with v2″
Yeah. You did. It’s impossible to avoid if you open up more than one tab.
Kevin M on June 19, 2008 at 12:09 AM
As a web developer and computer geek, I’m disappointed by FF3. The address bar is ridiculous, Opera does it much better. There isn’t really any new good features, either. All they did is fix stuff that should have been fixed a long time ago.
I guess FF3 is supposed to be more secure than FF2, and such. I’m contemplating switching over to Opera 9.5 actually. It’s clear that non-commercial products have their limitations…
Seixon on June 19, 2008 at 3:41 AM
I forgot to include the link, but any of those disappointed with Firefox 3 should really try out Opera.
Seixon on June 19, 2008 at 3:43 AM
I’ve been using firefox for a while. I cant see where it’s really any better than explorer, but I’m not a power user either. Firefox does seem to be hanging up on a regular basis lately. For no reason it will go full screen, then just sit there for a minute or two. Sometimes it will correct itself sometimes i have to kill it. I tried a beta version of Firefox 3 and didnt like it.
I tried Safari for a while, but it seemed to hang up quickly on videos although it was a lot faster loading pages than either firefox or explorer.
abcurtis on June 19, 2008 at 9:50 AM
This is for all you negative nellies.I just installed ff3 this morning.All it takes to make ff3 or ff2 the browser of your dreams is a little time with tutoriasls and help text.Almost anything about Firefox you don’t like can be worked around.So you don’t like the huge dropdown in the address box.DON”T USE IT. Download Google toolbar,search box,functions,even some add-ons are interchangeable.Don’t be so quick to criticize.
ethanthom.allan on June 19, 2008 at 10:18 AM
FF3 does not work with Win98SE!
This is a problem for those of us who just want to get our work done and do not like to be forced to use another OS which won’t talk to our perfectly good peripherals, networks, etc and which won’t run our perfectly good (and expensive) programs.
Another example of the tail wagging the dog when it comes to microcomputer software.
I suppose this will accelerate our transition to all-Linux servers.
landlines on June 19, 2008 at 11:22 AM
In my previous experience, Opera had been the fastest browser out there, and the only reason I didn’t use it exclusively was the far greater library of add-ons available to Firefox. But Firefox 3 (running on my 32-bit XP system) easily rivals Opera in speed. The speed improvement over version 2 is dramatic.
ashowalt on June 20, 2008 at 1:16 PM
I finally downloaded, but Hotair doesn’t look right. What happened to the layout and graphics? How do I fix this?
hulbstar on June 21, 2008 at 6:15 PM
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