Firefox version 29.0: User interface change

Topic

New Reply

Firefox released version 29 at the end of April. It has a new User Interface which will probably mess up what ever customizations you have defined in version 28 or earlier.

However, there is a new Add-On called Classic Theme Restorer (which is only available for version 29 or later) that allows you to change the User Interface almost completely back to the version 28 look and feel.

There is another Add-On called Classic Toolbar Buttons which allows some great customizations.

With both of these Add-Ons, read the information on the Mozilla Add-On Website carefully to find all the tweaks to help make the new version comfortable to use. On my Firefox, I now have colored tabs on the bottom of the toolbar, some new icons that look real nice and a combined stop/reload button, just to name a few tweaks.

Mozilla claims some security improvements in 29 and it does seem a little snappier (subjective observation).

Reply | Quote

Replies

Arrg*&

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

Reply | Quote

Arrg*&

http://www.palemoon.org/

Reply | Quote

http://www.palemoon.org/

Perhaps the Palemoon waxes with the tides of time .. er or something poetic like that.

Thanks I see myself having a looksee. Just two days ago I was telling myself its time to upgrade from FF13.

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

Reply | Quote

I hated it at first. I tried Classic Theme Restorer but there were problems – notably the FF button hiding behind the left-hand tab. My main beef was the loss of the add-on bar, which I got back with this.

I quite like it now, and yes, it is zippier.

Reply | Quote

On my FF v29 I can just press Ctrl-/ to toggle the Add-On bar. It is shown in View > Toolbars so I think it is part of Firefox.

Reply | Quote

On my FF v29 I can just press Ctrl-/ to toggle the Add-On bar. It is shown in View > Toolbars so I think it is part of Firefox.

Nope. It’s not on mine, and it’s documented here.

Reply | Quote

I see the description of the missing Add-On Toolbar, but look at this:

36950-WS-FF-Add-On

I disabled both Classic Theme Restorer and Classic Toolbar Buttons and the pulldown menu stayed the same.

Maybe there are different versions of Firefox 29. I upgraded directly from the link in Help > About.

Also, as for Palemoon suggested by Satrow, that browser also accepts the Classic Toolbar Buttons add-on so I can keep the look and feel of them both almost identical.

Reply | Quote

Also, as for Palemoon suggested by Satrow, that browser also accepts the Classic Toolbar Buttons add-on so I can keep the look and feel of them both almost identical.

You’ll probably not need that add-on in Pale Moon.

Reply | Quote

And just when I was starting to like Firefox again. Here’s a big ten-four to Wavy’s ARRG*&

Being 20 something in the 70's was so much better than being 70 something in the insane 20's

Reply | Quote

If you read all of the posts on their Facebook page, folks are not happy with this UI change to look more like Chrome. I finally dusted off my old copy of Chrome and updated it to the most current version (at least this time I did not have to fix a ton of broken stuff after the update to fix like I usually do) and I will be running FF28 for the foreseeable future.

I am going to have to be in the right frame of mind to update to 29 and by the time that frame of mind hits me, they will probably be out with a newer version.

Reply | Quote

I also had a few problems with Firefox 29, missing add-on bar, Forecastfox not working but after a lot of perseverance have now got it working to my tastes on all my computers but my biggest problem was with the Firefox moderators on their forum. I found that when myself and lots of other users started to criticize the new browser the replies from them were both patronizing,unhelpful and childish.:mad:

Reply | Quote

I was expecting to dislike the new Firefox UI and find it difficult to use, but my fears were unfounded – the benefits far outweigh the disbenefits, and it took very little time to get used to it. It was good to get rid of that awful orange button (copied from Opera, I think) and the new options/add-ons panel is excellent. This change is a noticeable improvement.

However, I found the row of tabs difficult and unattractive to view until I switched from the default theme to Black Shine (plus a few visual tweaks in Tab Mix Plus, e.g. change red to yellow ochre in title text of unread tab). Until now I had always considered themes to be a complete waste of time.

(Firefox has been my main browser for some time. I use IE11 and Chrome too, but mainly for testing.)

JPL

Reply | Quote

Firefox released version 29 at the end of April. It has a new User Interface which will probably mess up what ever customizations you have defined in version 28 or earlier.

However, there is a new Add-On called Classic Theme Restorer (which is only available for version 29 or later) that allows you to change the User Interface almost completely back to the version 28 look and feel.

There is another Add-On called Classic Toolbar Buttons which allows some great customizations.

With both of these Add-Ons, read the information on the Mozilla Add-On Website carefully to find all the tweaks to help make the new version comfortable to use. On my Firefox, I now have colored tabs on the bottom of the toolbar, some new icons that look real nice and a combined stop/reload button, just to name a few tweaks.

Mozilla claims some security improvements in 29 and it does seem a little snappier (subjective observation).

I have everyone in my household converted to the Classic Theme Restorer Extension. By and large, everyone is happy. Even me, and I can be hard to please when it comes to having my icons and tabs where I want them.

-- rc primak

Reply | Quote

Because I use 64-bit Win7 Pro, I run Pale Moon as my primary browser and Firefox as my secondary browser; they can be open at the same time, and run side by side very nicely. They use identical (but separate) profiles, and I have always used the original Toolbar Buttons extension, which allows the use of a variety of buttons (and also works with Thunderbird), to customize their toolbars. Were it not for the fact that their titlebars are different, I’d sometimes be hard pressed to know which browser I was using.

When FF 29.0 was introduced, I was very unhappy with the changes in the UI. The new version may be more secure, and MAY be slightly faster, but the changes in appearance which, to me, appeared to be simply for the sake of change, really turned me off.

Fortunately, using the Classic Theme Restorer extension in FF, I once again have it looking almost the same as PM.

Reply | Quote

Firefox released version 29 at the end of April. It has a new User Interface which will probably mess up what ever customizations you have defined in version 28 or earlier.

However, there is a new Add-On called Classic Theme Restorer (which is only available for version 29 or later) that allows you to change the User Interface almost completely back to the version 28 look and feel.

There is another Add-On called Classic Toolbar Buttons which allows some great customizations.

With both of these Add-Ons, read the information on the Mozilla Add-On Website carefully to find all the tweaks to help make the new version comfortable to use. On my Firefox, I now have colored tabs on the bottom of the toolbar, some new icons that look real nice and a combined stop/reload button, just to name a few tweaks.

Mozilla claims some security improvements in 29 and it does seem a little snappier (subjective observation).

All I have to say is this:
1. If I wanted something that looked like Chrome, I’d be using Chrome.
2. It is sad that you need to have an AddOn for something that was already there in the previous version.
3. FF is the new MS of the open platform: They think they make it better with every version, while, in reality, they screw it up.
4. Typical developer mentality: “We know what is good for you because we designed it and we cannot be wrong”
5. As far as their claim for the security improvements, I do not see how changing the UI can improve security.

FF was the browser of my choice but now it is not.

Reply | Quote

I use Waterfox v28 on my 64-bit machines (available at SourceForge.net). It uses the same themes and add-ons as Firefox. I tried FF 29 on my 32-bit machine, and reverted to 28 post haste!!! Hasn’t Mozilla been taken over by another outfit? The attempt to look like Chrome sounds like a conspiracy by Google to eliminate competition.

Reply | Quote

All I have to say is this:
1. If I wanted something that looked like Chrome, I’d be using Chrome.
2. It is sad that you need to have an AddOn for something that was already there in the previous version.
3. FF is the new MS of the open platform: They think they make it better with every version, while, in reality, they screw it up.
4. Typical developer mentality: “We know what is good for you because we designed it and we cannot be wrong”
5. As far as their claim for the security improvements, I do not see how changing the UI can improve security.

FF was the browser of my choice but now it is not.

They finally chased me out of FF completely. Yes, there ARE two separate tools that you can use to make it look, and mostly, act the way it used to. But why on earth should I do that? The first time I tried one of them it completely hosed the installation. I just rolled back to 28 and got Pale Moon, which promises NEVER to do what FF has done. I couldn’t agree more, if I wanted Chrome, I’d be using it. And I don’t because I don’t like nor trust Google – they are the Homeland Security of the Internet, ever more intrusive and nosy. Pale Moon works perfectly. Like FF used to. And now they are up to version 30. I use FF as one backup, and Opera as another, neither often. And I used to live on FF. So many angry users, I can’t imagine why they wanted to drop market share so badly, but that is what they’ve done.

Reply | Quote

I couldn’t have said it better myself johngaz! Way to go. Hopefully there will be enough of a hue and cry to Mozilla to correct the mess they’ve created.

Change without reason or control is the ideology of a cancer cell.

Being 20 something in the 70's was so much better than being 70 something in the insane 20's

Reply | Quote

I couldn’t have said it better myself johngaz! Way to go. Hopefully there will be enough of a hue and cry to Mozilla to correct the mess they’ve created.

Change without reason or control is the ideology of a cancer cell.

Two comments:

1. My version was updated to 29 because I had to reset FF to default to solve an issue, then forgot to change my security/update settings.

However I like 29 and can set it like I want, so I guess I’m not that “territory conscious” and don’t use the nitty-gritty stuff.

2. Your sig, “Forget youth, what the world needs is a fountain of smart.” proves the truth of “Youth is wasted on the young.”

Reply | Quote

I went along with the Firefox update to v29 and immediately was appalled (by many changes but especially) by the “tabs on top”, which I found really hard to use. My immediate solution was to go back to v28, which all y’all can do here: http://www.oldapps.com/firefox.php?old_firefox=14431

Interestingly enough, my brother did the same update (we’re both using XP Pro), and his v29 looked just like his v28. Even more interesting, the new interface is apparently called Australis, and is seen by the Mozilla folks as the GTSSB (Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread). Maybe they are just selectively rolling it out, since another brother hasn’t yet gotten the invitation to update. Hmmmmm…

With the “fixes” listed in this forum, maybe I’ll go on to v29, but I’ll certainly keep v28 in reserve…

BTW, Pale Moon does not support RoboForm, which is why I didn’t go to PM.

Reply | Quote

I went along with the Firefox update to v29 and immediately was appalled (by many changes but especially) by the “tabs on top”, which I found really hard to use. My immediate solution was to go back to v28, which all y’all can do here: http://www.oldapps.com/firefox.php?old_firefox=14431

If you go to the Mozilla FTP site, you can download any version you want.

Reply | Quote

If you go to the Mozilla FTP site, you can download any version you want.

Be prepared for attempted forced upgrades in the not too distant future: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/mozilla.dev.planning/FAmU7SeLoJ8

Reply | Quote

Be prepared for attempted forced upgrades in the not too distant future: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/mozilla.dev.planning/FAmU7SeLoJ8

I quote from the same article:

What about user preferences?
We will continue to respect the user update preference: if the user has
updates completely disabled in preferences, we will not prompt for
updates at all. If manual-apply is chosen, we will nag but not
force-install the update. All evidence shows that most users haven’t
changed the default update preferences.

Reply | Quote

I went along with the Firefox update to v29 and immediately was appalled (by many changes but especially) by the “tabs on top”, which I found really hard to use. My immediate solution was to go back to v28, which all y’all can do here: http://www.oldapps.com/firefox.php?old_firefox=14431

* * *

With the “fixes” listed in this forum, maybe I’ll go on to v29, but I’ll certainly keep v28 in reserve…

…

Since there are significant security issues patched in FF 29, going back to FF 28 is probably not the safest alternative.

-- rc primak

Reply | Quote

BTW, Pale Moon does not support RoboForm, which is why I didn’t go to PM.

According to a discussion on the Pale Moon forum, RoboForm works with the 32-bit version of Pale Moon but not with the 64-bit version. According to a quoted message from RoboForm, the only 64-bit browser it works with is Internet Explorer.

Reply | Quote

With the new FF 29, I no longer have “Morning Coffee” which opened my preferred site in tabs across the top of my screen. Really, Really miss that add-on. Any other add-on that will do the same?

Reply | Quote

With the new FF 29, I no longer have “Morning Coffee” which opened my preferred site in tabs across the top of my screen. Really, Really miss that add-on. Any other add-on that will do the same?

There’s a fix for Morning Coffee for FF29 here.

Reply | Quote

Thank YOU Tonyl……..

With one click to your link and my “Morning Coffee” is once more installed.
In the senior computer class I teach I tell them this lounge is one of the BEST tools in your belt.

Thank you again

Reply | Quote

Please excuse me for asking this question, but are there REALLY that many new threats created to warrant a whole new version of Firefox each and every month? Geesh, this is Firefox, not MS IE. My reason for going with FF was because IE was being attacked so much. Then, like Microsoft, Mozilla apparently decides they need to change the program UI adding insult to injury. From what I’ve read in this forum in this case, apparently a LOT of needless headaches are involved too. I’m sticking with 28 for the time being. I don’t need the aggravation. End of rant, but comments are very welcome.

Being 20 something in the 70's was so much better than being 70 something in the insane 20's

Reply | Quote

Please excuse me for asking this question, but are there REALLY that many new threats created to warrant a whole new version of Firefox each and every month? Geesh, this is Firefox, not MS IE. My reason for going with FF was because IE was being attacked so much. Then, like Microsoft, Mozilla apparently decides they need to change the program UI adding insult to injury. From what I’ve read in this forum in this case, apparently a LOT of needless headaches are involved too. I’m sticking with 28 for the time being. I don’t need the aggravation. End of rant, but comments are very welcome.

Major browsers change regularly, now. It started with Chrome, Mozilla followed suit and now IE the the one that changes less among the 3. It’s just how manufacturers decided it to be.

I don’t think I like it too much, especially since some updates break stuff that was working, but I really don’t care much. I just accept that browsers change and deal with it as best as I can. Embrace change, that’s my motto :).

Reply | Quote

Major browsers change regularly, now. It started with Chrome, Mozilla followed suit and now IE the the one that changes less among the 3. It’s just how manufacturers decided it to be.

I don’t think I like it too much, especially since some updates break stuff that was working, but I really don’t care much. I just accept that browsers change and deal with it as best as I can. Embrace change, that’s my motto :).

Thanks for the reply, and I commend you for your patience & fortitude! I, however, do not at all like having to “fix” something (or many things) nearly every time I’m forced to update Firefox or any other browser. If web browsers must be updated every month for security reasons that’s fine, but don’t cause me unnecessary headaches every time they feel the whim to “new and improve” an already fine piece of software. Then there’s the matter of re-educating my wife to the “new” UI. That’s really a lot of fun!

Being 20 something in the 70's was so much better than being 70 something in the insane 20's

Reply | Quote

Thanks for the reply, and I commend you for your patience & fortitude! I, however, do not at all like having to “fix” something (or many things) nearly every time I’m forced to update Firefox or any other browser. If web browsers must be updated every month for security reasons that’s fine, but don’t cause me unnecessary headaches every time they feel the whim to “new and improve” an already fine piece of software. Then there’s the matter of re-educating my wife to the “new” UI. That’s really a lot of fun!

You are probably right. I guess one thing that makes it easier for me is that I am not a big add-ons fan. I have a minimum set of add-ons and mostly on Chrome, since I only use the other two for testing, so I don’t usually have issues with add-ons. Chrome does break some functionality, some times, when the upgrades occur. I throw a tweet or two at the Chrome twitter account in protest, but they really don’t care. I hope it doesn’t get to the point where I need to dump Chrome, but in a way that wouldn’t be too bad, as I really dislike Google as a company and use their products as little as I can (except for Chrome, but I have even changed to Bing as the main search engine).

Reply | Quote

I have to confess that I only noticed 29 had changed because people were complaining about it. But I still continue to use it. Perhaps, as I don’t have many add ons, I don’t seem to get anything broken.

I suppose that Mozilla (a bit like MS and probably the other browsers) can’t test every change with every add on, and some will therefore break. It probably hasn’t helped that they seem to have a new (major) version every five minutes or so. When in the past, it was just Vx, Vx.1, Vx.2 etc. I know that stopped some add ons working as they had to be version dependent, and they were caught out by the new numbering system. Is that still the case I wonder?

I see that Opera is up to 12.17 and Chrome is 35.0.1916.114 m. Who knows what any of the others are! IE seems almost pedestrian at version 11:D

Eliminate spare time: start programming PowerShell

Reply | Quote

I see that Opera is up to 12.17 and Chrome is 35.0.1916.114 m. Who knows what any of the others are! IE seems almost pedestrian at version 11:D

The current version of Opera is 21. Opera 12 is the old version, before Opera decided it wanted to be Chrome. Many people, myself included, didn’t like that decision and stayed with Opera 12.16. Interestingly, Opera released an update–12.17–for the old version long after the current version Chromified. Opera 12.17 is the most recent update for the old version.

Reply | Quote

As far as add-ons are concerned, adding the Classic Theme Restorer was the first appearance oriented change I’ve made to Firefox in a long time. Personas was the last-previous one. I find that it’s mostly the tweaking or appearance changing add-ons which break with new FF updates. YMMV.

-- rc primak

Reply | Quote

Now using PaleMoon
as my primary browser,
(under Linux Ubuntu 12.04 LTS – 32 bit).

Using FF 29 as secondary browser only, (less and less).

PaleMoon browser
is faster & more stable than my FF29…
love it!

btw: ALL my FF extensions
work just fine
in the PaleMoon browser…

Reply | Quote