I don't think it should be necessary to install a plug in to restore the functionality of the status bar!

Please provide an option to re-enable the status bar.

(A) I seldom have Firefox expanded to use the fullscreen, so the URL field is not always wide enough to display the URL under the mouse pointer.

(B) My eyesight is poor and I find it almost impossible to read fine print, especially if it is light gray.

You can tweak the color of the links with code in userChrome.css Add code to userChrome.css below the @namespace line.

I use this code, but you can omit "font-weight:bold;" and only specify the text color:

@namespace url("http://www.mozilla.org/keymaster/gatekeeper/there.is.only.xul"); /* only needed once */

.urlbar-over-link-host-label,.urlbar-over-link-path-label{
 color: #000 !important;
 font-weight: bold;
}

See http://kb.mozillazine.org/Editing_configuration#How_to_edit_configuration_files

I am just curious: is there an official raison d'être for removal of the status bar? Perhaps results from TestPilot? Or feedback collated from users? I have already looked at this and this but I was hoping for a more cogent justification for a fairly drastic change in the UI.

It was Not removed but replaced rather.

@ Dynamite
I am just curious: is there an official raison d'être for removal of the status bar?

IIRC the reasoning went something along the lines that

• the moving status bar was not actually accurate but resource hungry
• the new ring that changes direction was a better replacement
• if users want the status bar graphic it is available as an addon

The machine I am using today does not have the bookmarks I would need to quickly check that info, but it will have been mentioned elsewhere in this forum, although probably discussed in detail on one of the other fora, and probably easier to find if you look at posts tagged as Beta.

Status-4-Evar is not working on version 4.0 Beta 10.

jkitties06

jasilvasy,

Open the Addons Tab, then right-click the S-4-E extension and use Find Update.

@John99: thanks for your comments. From what I have read (mostly this and this), reducing Firefox's chrome and making the UI more simple/customizable are the key driving factors (although, with the add-on bar, the former is not really being achieved).

Instead of removing statusbar, they should add an option into View > Toolbars, so we can show or hide it.

They should also make all statusbar items movable, so users can drag any item into any toolbar.

That's my suggestions. Absolutely simple.

Whilst the status bar existed there was an option to show or hide it. The toolbars are fairly customisable, you can for instance; on the Beta; drag bookmark items onto the menubar.

I am not involved with firefox or its development, only an ordinary user, but I accept at face value the suggestion the status bar was resource hungry and that addons can be used in its place. ( If you use firebug and you can see exactly what is going on)

this add-on works fine so far. thanks for the info!

@ivanslf,

"They should also make all statusbar items movable, so users can drag any item into any toolbar. "

That is one of the reasons they came up with the Add-on Bar to replace the old Statusbar. The Add-on is like another toolbar - any button that is made for placement on a Toolbar can be moved to the Add-on bar instead. With the old Statusbar the user couldn't even re-arrange the order the buttons / icons appeared on the Statusbar, without installing the Organize Status Bar extension & that needed its' own dialog window to work.

Now we have to wait for extension developers to start using "Toolbar buttons" in their code, in lieu of the old Statusbar buttons, as some developers are doing with extensions that they are "claiming" are 4.0 compatible. Sure Firefox 4.0 will still display the old Statusbar buttons in the Add-on bar, but they are all "stuck together" and they can't be moved around like the Toolbar buttons can.

Also, it used to be View > Statusbar to "toggle" it on & off. Now it is View > Toolbars > Add-on Bar. Not that much of a difference in hiding / showing it.

i want the tool bar up how do i do this

View > Toolbars, then click on that toolbar so that is has a check-mark

I agree, this should at least be an option to turn it on/off. I very much prefer having a statusbar.

waterhzrd,

Have you read what was posted in this thread?

The Statusbar is gone, it ain't coming back. If you want most of the functionality from the old Statusbar, try the Status-4-Evar extension and cutomize the Add-on bar so it looks and works pretty much as the old Statusbar did.

Also, the old Statusbar could be hidden or shown with the View > Statusbar menu item, whereas the new Add-on bar is hidden or shown from the View > Toolbar > Add-on bar - a very slight change in that regard.

Edit: After further testing of the browser I have found that all of the functions of the Status Bar that I use are still in place just without the bar. Hover over a link and a popup shows you where the link will send you. Click on a link and it will keep you posted as to what page it is getting information from or sending it to.

I change my mind and don't actually need the Status Bar. Good Job!

How do I get my status bar I like to see it all the time its not on 3.6 or 4.0.12. Where is the security lock I don't see it when I go on a secure site.

@msexon1 I am using 3.6 at the moment. the 'security lock' that I think you refer to is seen in the status bar in 3.6 ,
however if you turn on your navigation bar the location bar will probably be visible, that has a 'favicon' on its left hand side: and for example on this site it will say 'mozilla.com' in blue and on mousover gives more information.

• see How do I tell if my connection to a website is secure? - may be useful if no 'padlock ' is visible

I for one like having the status bar. What irritates me is the way the URL is sort of a pop up in the lower left corner. Is very irritating to me. I for one want the status bar and this would effect if I keep using FF4 or revert back to the previous version or even in the future dump using FF altogether.