Firefox 8.0 Beta Available

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Posted by Soulskill on Friday September 30, 2011 @03:15AM from the another-day-another-version dept.

An anonymous reader tips news that Mozilla has released the beta version of Firefox 8, only a few days after going live with the final version of Firefox 7. According to the announcement, the big changes this time around include the ability to use Twitter as a default search engine, more versatility in restoring tabs on startup, and improved user control over add-ons. "Users will receive a one-time notification to review and confirm third party add-ons they want to keep, disable or delete. When Firefox starts and finds that a third-party program has installed an add-on, Firefox will disable the add-on until the user has explicitly opted in, giving users better control over their Web experience."

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Im confused by MobileTatsu-NJG · 2011-09-30 03:20 · Score: 3, Funny

Is 'firefox' a browser or a unit of currency in Italy?

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"I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)
are you kidding me? by hymie! · 2011-09-30 03:23 · Score: 3, Insightful

I was just about to point out that I had to revert to Firefox 5.X because Firefox 6 broke a web site I need.
Then I read this:

the ability to use Twitter as a default search engine,
and I'm seriously wondering why I don't run Opera or Chrome.
Oh, right. FoxyProxy is the reason why I don't run Opera or Chrome.
1. Re:are you kidding me? by RogueyWon · 2011-09-30 03:55 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  The really sad thing? The other week, the latest release of Firefox 6 decided that it wanted to intermittently crash my Nvidia drivers. Until I figured out I could fix this by disabling the hardware acceleration option (which has absolutely zero impact on performance anyway), I was coming to the conclusion that rather than Opera or Chrome, if I was going to switch, it would be to IE. Having not used it for years, I was pretty shocked at how much it had improved in the interim.
  That said, I think there's some deep part of me that would just find it hard to trust IE.
  But yes, Firefox has long since passed the point where a new version meant "oooh, new features" and reached the point where it means "oh god, what have they broken or ruined this time?"
2. Re:are you kidding me? by BZ · 2011-09-30 03:55 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  Is there a bug on file on this? We try really hard to not break websites, obviously; if we broke something without realizing it we would _really_ like to know.
3. Re:are you kidding me? by MrZilla · 2011-09-30 04:11 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  I tried switching from FF3 to FF6 recently. I did not like it at all.
  Currently been running Chrome for a few days, it's OK, but has some irritating issues (for me).
  Will try Opera next week.
  Then IE.
  Then I will give up and move to some deserted island and avoid modern browsers for ever.
  
  --
  mov ax, 4c00h
  int 21h
4. Re:are you kidding me? by PixetaledPikachu · 2011-09-30 04:45 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  And it still has a large number of uncopied features (like a mail client) which I've simply become used to having around.
  
  Not having mail client is actually one of my major reason in adopting firefox, and abandoning netscape
5. Re:are you kidding me? by Waccoon · 2011-09-30 05:36 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  I developed the exact same problem with my ATI drivers after updating to Calalyst 11.7. Blue Screens of Death after watching exactly 3 YouTube videos under Adobe Flash.
  I disabled hardware acceleration in Flash and now the system is perfectly stable.
  I'm still using Firefox 3.6.x
  So, either Flash is the culprit, or there's something wrong with trying to use "hardware acceleration" (of what?) through the overlay that Firefox is using. Does Opera/Chrome/IE have similar problems? I've just accepted that Flash itself was the problem, and haven't tested any other browsers.
6. Re:are you kidding me? by rubycodez · 2011-09-30 05:51 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  The BUG is between your comrades right ear and left, they are DESTROYING a once-good software because this version churning breaks plugins, breaks access to web sites, and break use with other web-fronted softwares. Your team is ignoring user needs and flying off on a ridiculous tangent that does the users no good. People are getting fed up with this crap and ditching Firefox. Your project will LOSE MONEY that it gets based on user share. Tell them to quit being ivory tower dumb-asses working in a vacuum and start taking heed of the real world of users.
7. Re:are you kidding me? by shutdown+-p+now · 2011-09-30 06:00 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  An API that is accessible to userspace code and can crash the system, or otherwise significantly affect all processes running on it, is unacceptable. "Undefined behavior" that crashes the calling process only is okay. "Undefined behavior" that crashes the driver in the kernel is not.
Why is this news? by loftwyr · 2011-09-30 03:25 · Score: 5, Insightful

With Firefox releasing betas/alphas and new releases every few weeks, why are we covering this? Can't we just have the ever six week release story and maybe another one if they do something innovative?
Chrome is on version 15 but I don't see a story here every number change.
1. Re:Why is this news? by Baloroth · 2011-09-30 04:09 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  This was my reaction too. This isn't even a release, it's a beta. AFAIK Firefox constantly has a beta out, it shouldn't be news to anyone on this site.
  
  --
  "None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license." --John Milton
Re:___ firefox by ackthpt · 2011-09-30 03:25 · Score: 4, Funny

Um, the rapid release schedule is what gives Firefox its stability and confidence.
We'll know for sure, when they release 9.0 Beta next week.

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A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
Third Party Addons... by nschubach · 2011-09-30 03:27 · Score: 3, Interesting

Users will receive a one-time notification to review and confirm third party add-ons they want to keep, disable or delete. When Firefox starts and finds that a third-party program has installed an add-on
I assume this include Microsoft stealth adding extensions to the browser?
IE: Windows Media Player Plugin

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Every time I start to have faith in humanity, I ruin it by driving to work between 7 and 8 am.
What third-party addons? by DNS-and-BIND · 2011-09-30 03:42 · Score: 5, Insightful

The addons I want to keep? Sorry, I've never had this experience. It's more like, "the addons I want to permanently disable as they won't be updated to the latest version because the creator finished his project and moved on with his life". Seriously, a browser whose entire idea is 'you can extend it' combined with constant compatibility-breaking updates?

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Shutting down free speech with violence isn't fighting fascism. It IS fascism!
Re:Nightly builds by jalefkowit · 2011-09-30 03:50 · Score: 3, Funny

Don't bother, before you're done rebuilding a new version of Firefox will be out anyway.

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Read my blog.
Re:Seriously? by Luckyo · 2011-09-30 05:16 · Score: 3, Informative

Or in case of proper firefox releases, 3.6.23. The last number was for minor crap like this release, middle number was for minor and major features, and first number was for very big changes.
Good thing 3.6 is still supported. Someone at mozilla foundation still has a shred of sanity left.