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Firefox 4 beta 5 pre introduces two-column menu
Mozilla continues to refine the Firefox 4 interface as they soldier on through the beta testing process. Yesterday, nightly builds of Firefox 4 received a new menu layout (which you can see on the right side of the header image).
More options are now available within two-click reach -- including bookmarks, downloads, add-ons, and private browsing. The new iteration adds visual cues to private browsing, print, bookmarks, add-ons, and exit, as well as to the edit functions.
I've got to admit I'm somewhat surprised to see full screen given a slot on the menu. Most people I know who use Firefox either know that full screen mode is there but have customized their interface to minimize the default UI -- or they have no idea it's there.
So, Firefox 4 testers, what do you think of the change? Better? Worse? Don't care because you've already hacked your userchrome to hide the orange menu button?
More options are now available within two-click reach -- including bookmarks, downloads, add-ons, and private browsing. The new iteration adds visual cues to private browsing, print, bookmarks, add-ons, and exit, as well as to the edit functions.
I've got to admit I'm somewhat surprised to see full screen given a slot on the menu. Most people I know who use Firefox either know that full screen mode is there but have customized their interface to minimize the default UI -- or they have no idea it's there.
So, Firefox 4 testers, what do you think of the change? Better? Worse? Don't care because you've already hacked your userchrome to hide the orange menu button?
Comments
15
Subscribe to comments216Aug 24th 2010 8:24AM
I like the change as long as options from the "New Tab" fly out dont overlap onto the other column and cause problems. This happened to me with tabs in FF way too much
BugMeNotAug 24th 2010 8:27AM
I very much like the old look with full menus etc.
I think this is similarly awful than the menu in Office 2007.
But at least for Firefox there will be an extension or similar to fix it, unlike Office.
Daniel BloisAug 24th 2010 8:37AM
I like it a lot
SilverWaveAug 24th 2010 8:30AM
Linux?
David LevineAug 24th 2010 8:43AM
I like the easy access to additional menu options without having to access the traditional menu. The one thing I need to get used to is how with certain menu items, I have to highlight the actual arrow rather than the whole word.
GenericAug 24th 2010 9:08AM
I think the arrow that functions as a button should be on a light gray square with rounded corners. This way the arrow will show that it has its own list within.
MattAug 24th 2010 8:46AM
Like it! I also like the more prominent options for Starting Private Browsing and easier access to downloads.
GenericAug 24th 2010 9:03AM
I'm lovin' it. This is really beautiful and functional at the same time.
One problem: "Full Screen" and "Exit" are too close to each other. I can see myself clicking "Exit" accidentally and then ranting and raving for a while.
SlashZakuAug 24th 2010 9:58AM
Has Mozilla said anything about adding a standard 'Restart' option to the menu?
StormtrooprDaveAug 24th 2010 10:28AM
It's easier to use F11 go to fullscreen.
JoshAug 24th 2010 11:36AM
This makes me happy that Mac users have a universal menu. So much easier than all of this.
tracker1Aug 24th 2010 9:02PM
I usually hide my menubar, and nuke the bookmarks toolbar... I started doing this with my netbook, and just kept it that way.. The personal menu plugin is useful, but ALT will bring up the menu as-is, and I know F11 for full screen already (again, netbook surfing made this necessary... Also, it made me painfully aware of popovers that are too big to show the f-ing close button on the bottom onscreen.
pristy.siteAug 28th 2010 11:51PM
At lest confess that, this menu is from Opera 10.54.
2late2dieAug 30th 2010 10:07AM
Finally I can get to "add-ons" with just 2 clicks, and it's more visible thanks to the icon - I was so tired "digging it up" every time I needed to bring up add ons.
This is definitely better, though I hope it won't prevent extensions from allowing me to customize it, 'cause there are still ways I would tighten it for personal use.
broccauleySep 11th 2010 1:59AM
The original inspirations for this “start menu”-styled menu are actually here (see archive):
https://wiki.mozilla.org/User:Broccauley/Firefox_Menu_Explorations
Also added are updated mock-ups on how I think this could be improved.