Firefox 2.0 Officially Released

Many readers wrote in to make sure we all knew that Firefox 2.0 has officially been released on Mozilla.com, unlike yesterday's early preview. Here are builds for all languages and Win/Linux/Mac, and the release notes.

Needs more colours

[naylor83]

Once again...

If you find the Firefox 2 theme too bleak, I've got your fix right here [davidnaylor.org].

Fasterfox

[Despero]

Sadly, my favorite extension, Fasterfox, currently has no support in Firefox 2. That was pretty much my favorite thing about Firefox, too, so I really hope they continue to update it to support new versions of the browser.

Same binary as yesterday....

[CyberZCat]

Yesterday's "pre-release" (CRC32): 4F3CF1D7
Today's "official" release (CRC32): 4F3CF1D7

I guess not much has changed since RC3...

Don't wait for automatic update

[asa]

The auto-update system will automatically apply security and stability updates. We're planning on providing an "optional" update to Firefox 2 through this system, and that will likely happen in a few weeks. In the meantime, please do download through getfirefox.com [getfirefox.com]. As long as you do not use a direct ftp.mozilla.org or releases.mozilla.org [mozilla.org], we're pretty confident in our ability to handle demand, thanks to our volunteer mirror network.

Re:Too Many!

[OriginalArlen]

My comment is a dupe of your comment.

Re:I'll wait...

[ChodeMaster]

On the topic of functioning extensions, I use a few, and they've all updated themselves and are functioning perfectly.

For those intereseted (I'm guessing none of you), they are: Ablock, Adblock Filterset.G Updater, All-in-One-Gestures, DownloadThemAll!,ForecastFox,IE Tab, and Web Developer (toolbar).

Also, since the http://www.mozilla.com/ [mozilla.com] is linking to the 2.0 downloads it seems safe to assume this is the official release.

Best. Feaure. Ever.

[Skynyrd]

I just installed 2.0 on XP and it seems to be working quite well. Most of my extensions work, and I'm happy.

Then I discovered The Feature(tm). A website popped up a window, rather than a new tab, with no ability to control the size and whatnot. I discovered a button in the upper right corner that says "open this window in default browser". Clicking it opens that window in a new tab in my open browser.

Thanks to whoever added that feature. Brilliant idea.

yesterday's FF2 tab close button problem solved

[Tumbleweed]

Okay, so I had a problem where when I hovered over a tab's close button, it would disappear (though it would still when clicked). Also, when I installed the beta of the upcoming Tab Mix Plus, the main tab close button would flicker when hovered over it, and I'd have to click several times very quickly to make it work.

The problem: a theme I had installed (which has since been updated today).

So, if you experience any UI weirdness, you may want to switch over to the default theme and restart to see if that makes a difference.

Now that I have my Tabs Mix Plus, I'm doin' okay with FF2.

Shame about the non-multi-threaded UI, though. Maybe someday.

Re:Buggy Release

[LiquidCoooled]

Its most likely extensions, extensions, extensions.
I've found a couple of bugs myself but nothing as drastic as you seem to have encountered.
If you were coming up from a late 1.5ish version of firefox, your profile folder will contain a backup of your entire bookmarks file.

Best advice before performing a major update of anything is backup your data before you start.

Find out where your profile is stored on your machines and find out how to backup for the future.

As for my bug, I've got "tabbrowser preferences" installed and clicking the new "Go" button opens the page in a new tab. Theres nothing I can do about it for now either.

Also, for the privacy concious who have firefox set to store no history, there is a new menu item in History called "Reopen recently closed tabs" which does not follow your no history setting and shows a list of all tabs opened during the session (also, its not clearable without closing the browser window). tsk tsk

Re:Still no preference to disable tabs

[Zorque]

You don't have to open links in tabs. You can set them to open in the same window or in a new window.

Not so fast..err..fox!

[BeeBeard]

Ack, that horrible thing seems to sometimes cause weird problems with some websites that don't like all the simultaneous connections, and it can also cause memory leaks. Just be hardcore and modify your about:config yourself. [ubuntuforums.org]

Re:Buggy Release

[wolf08]

This might help: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Search_engines_disappear _from_Search_Bar [mozillazine.org] Worked for me!

Gripe #1

[no_pets]

I've had v2.0 for all of 3 minutes and already have a gripe. The X tabs icon has been moved from the far right to the right of each individual tab. I rather liked the old version as I could quickly X all my tabs down to the original window that I had open. Now I must mouse around to click all tabs.

Re:64-bit support?

[AaronW]

The problem I think is that a lot of browser plug-ins won't work with 64-bit support, i.e. Flash. Konqueror solved this problem by making plugins run in a separate process context than the browser, so while the browser is 64-bit, it handles 32-bit binary plugins just fine. It has an added benefit that if a plugin goes berserk it doesn't take out the browser and I can kill the plugin task without affecting the browser.

Re:Woot

[Matt Edd]

Because .exe is for windows.

Attention Mac Users

[astrosmash]

OS X users should be aware of the following:

1. Firefox 1.5 users will be happy to know that Firefox 2.0 includes numerous performance and usability improvements over v1.5 specifically for the OS X platform, bringing the Mac version closer to the Windows version in terms of quality. You'll want to upgrade immediately. If you thought that Firefox 1.5 sucked, give 2.0 a try. Big improvements on the Mac.
2. If you're a fan of the smooth, pixel-resolution scrolling that comes with two-finger touchpad and Mighty Mouse scrolling, and you lament the lack of this smooth scrolling in Firefox, well lament no more! Smooth pixel-resolution scrolling was introduced in Firefox 2.0 Beta 2, and it rules. Unfortunately, this feature was removed because it made the bookmark manager scroll too quickly. If you're like me and do a lot of scrolling (and don't care about how the bookmark manager scrolls) you'll want to stick with Firefox 2.0 Beta 2 [mozilla.org] on OS X, like I do.

Re:Gripe #1

[GFree]

Well apart from editing the config file to change the close-button style, do what I do and adapt: you want to close all by the first tab, just select the last tab and press CTRL-W a lot. There's a solution to basically everything.

Re:2.0?

[cyclocommuter]

IMHO, this release warrants the 2.0 moniker. Aside from the inline spell checker, it appears the dreaded "memory usage" problem has finally been nailed. FF 2.0 does appear to reclaim memory much faster than the older version. To me, this bug fix together with the perceptible increase in launch time and page loading/rendering is a major improvement, which combined with the inline spell checker is enough to warrant the 2.o moniker. I also agree that additional features are better left to extension developers.

Part of 2.0 release it appears is also not just contained in the browser code itself but in Mozilla's Add-ons website which gets launch when you click the "Get Extensions" link in the Add-ons dialog. Add-ons or extensions are now grouped together by functionality as opposed to being grouped together by popularity, ratings, etc.

Re:2.0?

[naylor83]

Firefox 2 is not Acid2 compatible because of the development tree they have used. Firefox 2 uses basically the same rendering engine as 1.5, while Firefox 3 will be a huge leap ahead on the rendering side. For Firefox 2 they have mainly concentrated on a few nice features + loads of polish. This is what Firefox 1.0 should have been like :) (I'm thinking search engine manager, tab overflow handling, etc.) But then we would have had to waste another two years with IE6.

TabMixPlus

[Malfourmed]

A new version of TabMixPlus that works with FF2 will be released within the week according to the author's note here:

https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/1122/ [mozilla.org]

In the meantime, you can install a pre-release version of the extension here:

http://tmp.garyr.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3515 [garyr.net]

To get rid of the close buttons on all tabs, go to about:config and set

browser.tabs.closeButtons

to 0 if you only want the close button on the active tab

or to 0 if you want the close button only at the right hand side of the tab bar.

Re:Gripe #1

[Skim123]

Also, can't you right-click on a tab and say, "Close Other Tabs" to close all tabs but that one? I'm not sure if that's in 2.0 - I imagine it is - but it's right here for me on 1.5 (although perhaps that's a feature added by an extension). hth

Re:2.0?

[Jugalator]

I have been using Firefox 2.0 for a day now. I can't really see how this warrants a 2.0 release. It seems like there should be more added features and innovation that we have come to expect from the Mozilla team to jump to 2.0.

First, Firefox 2.0 is supposed to be a "0.5" upgrade from 1.5; that is, approximately as much of a change as 1.5 was compared to 1.0.

Now, Firefox 2.0 offers these noticeable features, among others:
- Updated UI
- Anti-phishing
- Tab close undo
- Session restore
- Form spell checker
- Microsummaries
- JavaScript 1.7
- Loads and loads of bug and stability fixes, including improved memory usage

I'm really not sure why this couldn't be a 2.0 release? What else should it be? 1.6 would be way to minor for its features anyway. Heck, this is the scale e.g. IE 5 -> 6 was on IMHO, if not more, and then that was an incremental step of 1, not 0.5 as Firefox 2.0 is.

Re:Kudos #1

[Anonymous Coward]

apparently settting browser.tabs.closeButtons to 3 in about:config brings back the old behaviour. See http://kb.mozillazine.org/Browser.tabs.closeButton s [mozillazine.org] I haven't tried it yet but I will, the new way sucks.

Take control of your windows!

[DragonHawk]

(Notice: Lower-case 'w' in subject.)

Enter "about:config" in to the Address bar.

Filter on "dom.disable_window".

Make sure every resulting knob is set to "True".

This prevents JavaScript-spawned windows from having their title bar, address bar, tool bar, menu bar, status bar, scroll bars, or other decorations removed/disabled. Now I can move, resize, or otherwise twiddle with all the windows in my browser, the way I should be able to.

Me to web developers: They're my windows; get your grubby JavaScript off them!

Re:TabMixPlus

[FLEB]

or to 0 if you want the close button only at the right hand side of the tab bar.

(where 0 = 3)

Re:I love the the opensource front

[tranceyboy]

"Just for the record, which open source graphics program is better than the standard closed source options for pro grade work?" Aritist are always a special breed that don't like it when thier tools change to much, I would say the gimp, and xara http://www.xaraxtreme.org/ [xaraxtreme.org] Give em a try you might like it. As for an OSS zealot, I beg to differ, i use proprietary software on a daily basis, because sometimes thats is all there is... When a great project comes along that can replace it... I look and listen.. Instead of pulling a gun out because it's free, or argue that since there is no support it's bad(using opensource software is a double edged sword you get it for free but when there is an issue you have to actually educate you self, instead of havign you hand held). I always said using OSS makes smarter people, there is less hand holding, and you ahve to actually read documentation WOW!!!!. No I have never paid Adobe for photoshop, never needed it, every apllication i need for work is free and oh OSS. You should try to get a weeks worth of work done on opened souce software, it might change your perspective on things a bit. Eventhought running proprietary software is a matter if choice, for you it's ok, but not for me. Im glad that all the combined hardware and software on your machine might cost you about $8,000 to run(enjoy):) Further more, a lot of proprietary software has benifited from OSS, take a look at the recent IE7, kinda looks and feels like firefox; but not on par yet. Don't think so? Download it give it a whirl, the fireup firefox.... After wards tell me what you think. Kudos to you my buddy on the other side of the fence; it's always better to keep an open mind.

Re:Cookie Monster

[molo]

Yeah, I was disappointed to see this gone from the UI, but it is still available via about:config . The key is network.cookie.cookieBehavior, default value is 0 (all cookies allowed). Change this to 1 (no 3rd party cookies). More info from the MozillaZine knowledgebase [mozillazine.org].

-molo

Re:Gripe #1

[mdd4696]

Two about:config settings that I changed after installing Firefox 2.0:

browser.tabs.closeButtons

• 0: Only show close button on currently selected tab
• 1: Show close button on all tabs (default)
• 2: Never show close buttons on tabs
• 3: Show a single close button at the far right (1.5 behavior)

browser.urlbar.hideGoButton

• false: Show Go button next to location bar (default)
• true: Hide Go button next to location bar

I couldn't find anything related to the tab list drop-down button or for the magnifying glass button next to the search box.

Carries over from previous FF installs

[bjdevil66]

Yeah, I was disappointed to see this gone from the UI, but it is still available via about:config . The key is network.cookie.cookieBehavior, default value is 0 (all cookies allowed). Change this to 1 (no 3rd party cookies). More info from the MozillaZine knowledgebase.

When I went into make this change, it was set to 1, so if you've upgraded to 2.0 from a previous Firefox install and you'd already selected the no 3rd party cookies option, this setting is carried over. (I've checked this with a clean install and it is indeed '0' by default). I wonder why they made that choice (removing the UI option to block the 3rd party cookies).

Re:Hehe nice cover

[Propaganda13]

http://www.wordorigins.org/Words/LetterL/lockandlo ad.html [wordorigins.org]
Lock and Load
This imperative phrase originally referred to the operation of the M1 Garand Rifle, the standard U.S. Army rifle of WWII. Its meaning is more general now, referring to preparation for any imminent event.

To load a Garand, the bolt would be locked to the rear and a clip of ammunition loaded into the receiver. The command lock and load was immortalized by John Wayne in the 1949 movie The Sands of Iwo Jima: "Lock and load, boy, lock and load."
There are earlier uses of the command reversed, load and lock. This command, primarily used on firing ranges, referred to the loading of a single round into the Garand (or into another weapon). In this case, the lock referred to striking the bolt handle with the heel of the hand to ensure it was fully closed and locked into place.

And you want to mess with something the Duke said? Shame on you. :)

Re:Hehe nice cover

[JavaManJim]

Lets give Mr Propaganda13 the benefit of the doubt for now. I am a beginning high power rifle shooter. AR15 and Garand M1. I can see where this got started with Garands because its really important to get that particular gun going well.

Garands have this really nasty bolt you have to lock back. A common problem is 'Garand thumb' from trying to load when its not locked back and the bolt slams shut on your innocent thumb. Also once a clip is loaded into a Garand (from the top) its hot and ready to fire so the safety that is part of the trigger guard had better be on.

AR15/M16's have a reverse process generally first pull the bolt back, insert the magazine then press the bolt catch button on the left side to release the bolt and allow it to slam forward. Also folks, the bullet does not seat all the way in on these gas guns, it sticks out about 3/16 of an inch.

This is a nice thing for geeks. If you might be interested in Service Rifle go to www.odcmp.org and search for a club in your area. Newcomers are always welcome and you can borrow all the equipment to get you going.

Thanks,
Jim Burke

Re:Gripe #1

[hawaiian717]

"Close Other Tabs" is still there in 2.0. And to answer another reply, you don't need the Tab Mix Plus extension.

Re:Needs more colours

[plover]

Middle clicking on a tab will also close the tab without your having to nail the [X] with the pointer.

it IS "Lock and load"

[mysticgoat]

My deer rifle is a 30-06 Remmington slide action. I'm a southpaw and a lefthanded bolt was more than I could afford when I got the gun (used): the slide action is ambidextrous. It has a 4 round clip. I've owned it for 31 years now. I don't use it much any more, but at one time it helped stretch the grocery budget.

I learned to shoot from a couple guys who had grown up hunting in the 1930s and who learned to shoot all over again when in the service in World War II. Both saw more action on the Pacific islands than they would ever talk about.

The litany they taught included these steps (done just before the first steps of the hunt)

1. check the receiver for crud
2. check the clip for crud and alignment of the top round
3. check safety is on
4. insert clip into receiver
5. LOCK clip into place by slamming it with the heel of your hand
6. LOAD the first round into the chamber (in my case, work the slide)
7. check the safety is on (again)

I doubt that either of those guys saw any of the John Wayne war movies (they liked his westerns though). But I'm pretty sure neither one would have thought "Lock and load, son" was wrong or laughable. It is the way it was done.

Sorry about the rant. But this argument among people who have never had to worry about extracting a jammed live round from a rifle because the shooter hadn't locked the clip into place before trying to load the chamber has grown tiresome.

Re:Woot

[kv9]

The download page picks a random mirror. Linking directly to the file would put all of the load on a single mirror.

no, it would not:

# host releases.mozilla.org
releases.mozilla.org has address 64.50.236.52
releases.mozilla.org has address 64.50.238.52
releases.mozilla.org has address 130.239.18.158
releases.mozilla.org has address 130.239.18.159
releases.mozilla.org has address 155.98.64.83
releases.mozilla.org has address 216.165.129.134
releases.mozilla.org has address 216.165.129.141

Re:Hehe nice cover

[tomstdenis]

"I went to the park" would imply that "john and me went to the park" is incorrect. It seems that people ALWAYS use "me" in this context regardless of how it sounds.

Tom

Re:it IS "Lock and load"

[mysticgoat]

The long guns the RAF used in WWII were descendants of the .303 Lee Enfield, not the .30-06 Garand. Very different designs with different strengths and weaknesses-- I'd expect a difference in the standard operating procedure. The Lee Enfield guns were designed around working the bolt action quickly without taking your eye off the target and they excel at rapid fire accuracy. The .30-06 semi-automatics were designed for good accuracy with less training and less field maintenance.

Re:Buggy Release

[kris_golden]

I had the same problem. Installing the 2.0 version a second time cleared it up... Restored bookmarks and everything.