Re: FF 5. 0 and user interface

My bloviated meandering follows what Ron Hunter graced us with on 
8/20/2011 8:16 AM:

[snip /]

>> Clearly, the benefit is a less cluttered top end combined with the added
>> vertical space for content so there's a rational reason to have that be
>> the default display after restart; otherwise, the user may never know
>> about it.
>>
>> [snip /]
>>
> Yes, the page appears, and I would venture that not 1 person in 100 
> reads it.  It looks like advertising to me, and that's a case of 
> preaching to the choir, given that I just updated.  Some real 
> information on the first screen would be good.
> I tried, I really did, to use the Firefox button, but finding that I had 
> to turn on the menubar 10 times a session to get to function *I* needed 
> caused me to just turn it on, permanently.  IF the Firefox button kept 
> track of what the user did with menu items on the menubar when 
> requested, and after a couple of uses added them to the Firefox menu 
> choices (User commands?), then I could use it.  My response was to move 
> all my navigation functions to the menubar, and turn off the navigation 
> toolbar.  Space saved, and menus available.  Now THAT'S why I love Firefox!
> 
A little off-topic but perhaps the UI folks can find some value in this?

I was taken aback initially with the Firefox button and the, presumed, 
loss of the menubar. After finding that I could restore the menubar via 
View, I was delighted, but then realized that I now lacked the gain of 
more vertical space that the Firefox button afforded and I was envious 
and determined to want it both ways. Then I realized that Firefox still 
adhered to the Windows convention of pressing the Alt key to move to the 
menu. This was fantastic since I now had the advantage of more vertical 
space and a very easy way to bring up the menubar whenever needed. Now, 
after experimenting a bit with the Firefox button since it's always 
there for me, I find myself using only the Firefox button in 99% of the 
times I would have used the menubar and thankful for it.

Such is the roller coaster experience one often experiences when 
learning a new UI after an upgrade. Now, let me tell of my experience 
with the Microsoft apps that went from a vanilla menubar to a ribbon ... 
in m.general, if you're interested :)

-- 
Sailfish - Netscape Champion
Netscape/Mozilla Tips: http://www.ufaq.org/ , http://ilias.ca/
Rare Mozilla Stuff: https://www.projectit.com/