Why is there no option in Firefox itself to re-add the add-ons bar (it says there is in one article, but there isn't) and why was it removed, crowding the UI?
It just seems like an unnecessary thing that creates more headaches for people and wastes their time. If there was a little checkbox that said "Display Addons Bar" then that would be perfect. I understand it not being there by default, whatever (although I don't really understand it), but I have to relearn my entire browser and where everything is. This seems more like a Microsoft move, to make it harder for users to do what they want to do, as a deterrent.
My point is, you can't praise the customizability of Firefox's new redesign and then actually have fewer options to customize it. Then it's the addons that are increasing the customizability and not something inherent in the redesign. Your program stops being the thing that offers direct customizability and instead creates a hoop to jump through so you can get something else to let you customize Firefox. Whoever created that addon is the one that should be praised.
Additionally, it should be pointed out that the branding was better in the old version. This new version looks like a generic program with no name. There are a lot of mistakes here. There are a lot of advancements, too, I'm sure, and I understand everyone's heart was in the right place. But you can't rely on good intentions alone to make a good product. I just know that this will be met with "Well that's the way it is now; deal with it." Well, I don't think that's right, and I expect better from Firefox. I'm not trying to attack anyone or make them feel bad, I'm trying to say that as a user and someone who has opinions about design, there are things that are bad about this design and I'd like to help fix them, because I still think Firefox is the best browser for me. It's just a little less so now.
All Replies (6)
If it isn't useful in the mobile version of Firefox, it got removed for Firefox 29.
The Addon Bar (Restored) extension:
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/the-addon-bar/
I understand that you would criticized the latest Firefox has fewer customization options Nonetheless it's worth a look here. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/classicthemerestorer/
Do they realize that it's called Mozilla for Desktop, and that this is the exact same thing people hated Windows 8 for? It's bad design.
Modified by Some_Friggin__Guy
Look, many of us long time users of Firefox (12 years for me) feel pretty much the same as you do about Australis on the Desktop. I have tested and used the Australis UX Nightly builds from the days right after Firefox 4.0 was released; so Firefox 29 holds no surprises for me.
The best that anyone here in the Firefox Support forum can do is to offer advice on how to modify Firefox 29 or to mention which extensions you can install to to fix what you don't like about the changes. Beyond that, I suggest that you use the Feedback page to let Mozilla know how you feel.
https://input.mozilla.org/en-US/feedback
"Bad design" (in your opinion) or not - use it as is, fix what you don't like, or switch to a different browser. Mozilla isn't going to dump Australis over user complaints, even if it would drag Firefox to its' grave.
Sorry if it seemed like I was frustrated with you. I misunderstood which section to post my grievances in (I thought maybe employees read this section?) and so it probably seemed like I was being a butt asking these questions to people who didn't have anything to do with the decision-making. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction.
I have seen more Mozilla developers posting in this form in that last couple of weeks than I have seen in the 8 years since this forum started. Their personal opinions and what they read here doesn't count for much, everything is "measured" by "metrics" and through user feedback.
This what the "higher-ups" watch.
https://input.mozilla.org/en-US/