Firefox 3.0, the open-source browser which is slated for release in the second half of 2007, will include many new features, including offline support for Web applications and new bookmark and search features. While the final feature set hasn't been determined, Firefox 3.0 will also contain elements for its 4.0 release and beyond: "What we're trying to do with all of these things is lay the foundation," said Mike Schroepfer, vice president for engineering for Mozilla, during a stop in London on Tuesday. Ultimately, Mozilla engineers are aiming for an integration between the browser and Web-based services that is as smooth-running as a desktop application. To do offline support, engineers have overcome the hurdle of how to store data locally on the computer – the feature will make it into Firefox 3.0, although the user interface is still under development. Mozilla would also like to create a function where bookmarks could be automatically sorted based on popularity and frequency rather than the static presentation now.
Most importantly, Firefox has to be fast and standards-compliant, Schroepfer said. He also noted that extensions are sometimes to blame for abnormal use of system resources, and therefore Mozilla will soon set up a shared library of tested code that extension writers can download and use. Mozilla also relaunched its extension site, cutting back on the number of extensions listed so first-time users don't overload their browsers and dampen their experience. In a few weeks, discussion forums will also be set up for developers to exchange feedback as code writers sometimes don't know of the problems, he said. Schroepfer also emphasized that Firefox 4.0 will support the JavaScript 2 language, now under development in part by Mozilla's CTO Brendan Eich and the ECMA International standards body. The idea behind the JavaScript revamp is to make high-performance Web applications easier to write and assemble for people with less coding expertise, he said: "It's less about making it possible and more about making it easy."
News source: InfoWorld
Most importantly, Firefox has to be fast and standards-compliant, Schroepfer said. He also noted that extensions are sometimes to blame for abnormal use of system resources, and therefore Mozilla will soon set up a shared library of tested code that extension writers can download and use. Mozilla also relaunched its extension site, cutting back on the number of extensions listed so first-time users don't overload their browsers and dampen their experience. In a few weeks, discussion forums will also be set up for developers to exchange feedback as code writers sometimes don't know of the problems, he said. Schroepfer also emphasized that Firefox 4.0 will support the JavaScript 2 language, now under development in part by Mozilla's CTO Brendan Eich and the ECMA International standards body. The idea behind the JavaScript revamp is to make high-performance Web applications easier to write and assemble for people with less coding expertise, he said: "It's less about making it possible and more about making it easy."
News source: InfoWorld
I can't wait, as I love the Firefox Web Browser. I find alot of the extensions very handy especially No-Script, Adblock, ForecastFox, Tweak Network and others.
I wonder what all the new features will be for 3.0?
3.0 = a non annoying dictionary
i just hope there will be a portable version
Regardless, looks promising.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Browser_timeline
I agree in part, FF2.0 wasn't worthy of a full version increment, as I don't feel that it had that many significant changes for the user. 3.0 does sound worthy of an increment though if it's going to be implementing features such as a new bookmarking method and a complete rework of the UI.
I just for the love of god hope that they can let us keep the menu bar at the top. IE disgraces itself by putting not putting the menu bar where it should be
AFAIK there's no 'complete rework' of the UI targetted for Firefox 3. Some areas will get a revised UI, but not the main browser window.
bottom line = i just hope that these "new versions" dont make firefox bloated down the road like the standard mozilla suite is.... so far firefox is a good browser as i use it for my primary browser and i rarely use IE anymore. i aint used IE as my main browser i think since pre 1.0 release give or take a little.
atleast they said this... "Most importantly, Firefox has to be fast and standards-compliant, Schroepfer said." ... so thats a good sign there mainly conserned with speed
Last edited by ThaCrip on 28 Feb 2007 - 02:55
bottom line = i just hope that these "new versions" dont make firefox bloated down the road like the standard mozilla suite is.... so far firefox is a good browser as i use it for my primary browser and i rarely use IE anymore. i aint used IE as my main browser i think since pre 1.0 release give or take a little.
bottom line = i just hope that these "new versions" dont make firefox bloated down the road like the standard mozilla suite is.... so far firefox is a good browser as i use it for my primary browser and i rarely use IE anymore. i aint used IE as my main browser i think since pre 1.0 release give or take a little.
sounds good then.... plus if you noticed my first post i added that "quote" there which i just happened to notice ... as they still got there mindset right when making a "new version" of firefox as there conserned with standards/speed
hmmmm I'm sure we'd all be on our soap boxes if Microsoft said that
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