Firefox erratic behaviour

[jupiter]

Anyone else had odd behaviour from Firefox recently - to be specific, creating a new default profile and switching to it (not overwriting the old one though)?

Can't track anything I've done to prompt this behaviour and it has not happened before in over a years use of FF.

[Rik]

Not had any problems, Jupiter. Have you updated to the latest version?

[Simon]

The only thing I have noticed is, it keeps telling me I have updated to the latest version.  Yes, I know, thanks!!  I am currently giving Netscape 9 a test run, as it's based on Firefox, so most of FF's add-ons work with Netscape too.

[jupiter]

I am currently giving Netscape 9 a test run, as it's based on Firefox, so most of FF's add-ons work with Netscape too.

Good idea - I'll check it out.  I've had a look too at Seamonkey but can't see any real advantage to it.  I am on FF 2.0.0.8, which I think is the latest.

[Rik]

It is, Jupiter.

[Gary]

Not had any issues like this at all on 2.0.0.8 at the moment, might be worth checking the mozilla forums

[J!ll]

Anyone else had odd behaviour from Firefox recently - to be specific, creating a new default profile and switching to it (not overwriting the old one though)?

Can't track anything I've done to prompt this behaviour and it has not happened before in over a years use of FF.

Yes I couldn't get FF to open, some stupid msg. had to use IE, decided to 'go back' which solved it 

[Simon]

I've had a look too at Seamonkey but can't see any real advantage to it.

It does have some nice touches that FF doesn't, such as easier access to cookie and password management, view History without opening a damned sidebar, and of course, the built in mail client and HTML editor.  It's worth a try. 

[Gary]

Seems like their are issues FF is planning another release maybe for next week to sort out regression bugs seen on some computers in 2.0.0.8, story here: http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,138894-c,mozilla/article.html#

[Rik]

Oh joy, update fest. Thanks Gary.

[Gary]

Oh joy, update fest. Thanks Gary.

I know, its never ending Rik

[drummer]

After updating to 2.0.0.8 (FF is the only app I allow to automatically check for updates), I got the "Unexpected error...needs to quit" message for the first time ever with FF.

But it's been working fine since then.

[jupiter]

I too have had two 'have to quit' instances since 2.0.0.8, and also a freeze on startup, so it looks like the latest version needs the urgent fixes.  All in the name of progress ....

[Rik]

It demonstrates, once again, the variability of Windows boxes. So many variables that some are affected and some are not.

[Gary]

So true Rik mine seems ok at this time but to be honest Mozilla have had to do this before, as you said you can't code for every box on the planet, that's the issue with any OS and especially Windows, with apple at least hardware and software are more under control by being in house so to speak, well as much as they can be anyway.

[Rik]

To a great extent, an Apple is a controlled environment, Gary, while Windows will be a controlled environment with uncontrolled variables.

[Gary]

Are you calling the Windows user an "uncontrolled variable" back to that test to use a pc Rik 

[Rik]

The user is certainly uncontrolled, but when you think about the possible hardware permutations before you even get to the software, each Windows box is pretty unique.

[Gary]

My friends box certainly is, its filled with coffee now why does that statement sound bad to me 

[Kheldar]

oh no, is Firefox Down ?

if so call Clint Eastwood 

[Gary]

oh no, is Firefox Down ?

if so call Clint Eastwood 

Shall we get Knightrider along to help? 

[Kheldar]

Shall we get Knightrider along to help? 

nope we need something that flies.......


hmm  how about Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

[Simon]

My friends box certainly is, its filled with coffee now why does that statement sound bad to me 

Have to admit, I had to re-read the thread after that! 

[Gary]

nope we need something that flies.......


hmm  how about Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Or Airwolf

[Gary]

Have to admit, I had to re-read the thread after that! 

[Kheldar]

Or Airwolf

it crossed my mind but Chitty has more style 

[Gary]

it crossed my mind but Chitty has more style 

True but it has children but on the upside it does have Dick Van Dyke, so if there was a murder involved or an injury, help would be at hand

[Kheldar]

yeah but dont forget its also got Truly Scrumptious 

[J!ll]

FF is driving me mad! having to use IE, will need to 'go back' again! trouble is I can't find it 

[Rik]

There's an update due soon, Jill.

[J!ll]

Not soon enough 

[Rik]

Oddly enough, with three machines, I've not encountered any problems. I suppose it might just be worth uninstalling and re-installing to see if that helps?

[J!ll]

Yes I could do 

[Rik]

If you save your bookmarks and cookies files, Jill, you can then dump them back in the new profile with little or no loss. You'll just have to re-apply any add-ons. If you want to avoid that, you can download the FEBE addon, but then you may carry over any issues.

[J!ll]

Or just rid of FF 

[Rik]

I'd miss it too much. Might be worth trying Opera, though, and see if you like that.

[Inactive]

No problems with FF here either, must be a female thing.. 

[Rik]

Living dangerously, In? 

[Inactive]

Thought I might take a chance.. 

[J!ll]

 

[J!ll]

I'd miss it too much. Might be worth trying Opera, though, and see if you like that.

Opera is around somewhere 

[Rik]

Should I change Jill's username to Miss Whiplash, peops??? 

[J!ll]

Miss? 

[Rik]

Mrs Whiplash doesn't have the same ring, J!ll.

[J!ll]

 

[Gary]

My FireFox has had one hiccup since 2.0.0.8 but I think they hope to have the new version out this week if all goes according to plan.

[Simon]

I've been using Netscape 9.0 recently.  It's a clone of FireFox, but it seems less clunky, and has a nice layout, once you've got rid of all the toolbars and sidebars.  Certainly worth a try. 

http://browser.netscape.com/

[Rik]

Netscape = full circle.

[Simon]

Indeed!  But it's nothing like the old Netscrape, Rik.    Once I changed the default home page, I don't even notice AOHell's involvement, and there's no branding on the new version.

[Rik]

I'm talking about Netscape before AOL, Simon, back in the mid-to-late 90s? When you had to buy a browser!!

[Simon]

I realised that, Rik, I was just saying that compared to the last few versions of Netscape, the AOL branding is very limited.  I don't go back as far as you, but I used it before Mozilla came along, and it's what actually prompted me to use Mozilla, even though, in those days, half the websites wouldn't work on it!

[Rik]

Standards used to be, shall we say, a moveable feast in the early days, with some sites only viewable with one browser. Real PITA time.

[jupiter]

I've been using Netscape 9.0 recently.  It's a clone of FireFox, but it seems less clunky, and has a nice layout, once you've got rid of all the toolbars and sidebars.  Certainly worth a try. 
http://browser.netscape.com/

Had a go with this and compared Netscape 9.0 and FF 2.0.0.8 with the same sites and within the same time frame. Netscape loaded pages far faster - really noticeably faster.

So is this just down to slicker code in writing Netscape, or FF getting too bloated, or my installation of FF?

[Simon]

I have no idea, Jupiter, but I'm sure someone will tell us.  I also find Netscape 9 loads quicker than Firefox, but they could both do with a turbo boost in that area.

[Gary]

The only bad thing I can find is that Netscape's security usually takes longer to update to the latest FF security changes, so when 2.0.0.9 comes out Netscape will not update at the same time. Did try it a while ago but if I was going to have a third Browser I would want it to be Opera for shear safety and to avoid the possibility of similar security issues with FF and Netscape.

[Gary]

As posted in software updates Firefox 2.0.0.9 is now released  hopefully it won't need Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for assistance now

[DAB Badboy]

The only bad thing I can find is that Netscape's security usually takes longer to update to the latest FF security changes,

Really? I guess I must have a really vivid imagination then.

Could have sworn I was using 9.0.0.2 ...

[Simon]

Yes, it updated today - twice, in fact!  On 9.0.0.3 now.

[Gary]

Really? I guess I must have a really vivid imagination then.

Could have sworn I was using 9.0.0.2 ...

The statement was based on an article I read, and that was what was suggested in it, I was not casting any personal views or aspersions on the browsers ability to update, since the article was wrong that's fair enough, I have learnt something new about Netscape myself. I do not see the need for sarcasm in response to posts though.

[jupiter]

Yes, it updated today - twice, in fact!  On 9.0.0.3 now.

After you posted this I checked the Help tab and 9.0.0.3 is downloading in the background - indeed two in one day. Probably means someone screwed something up in 9.0.0.2

But I'm getting on well with Netscape and slipping into using it all the time.

[Simon]

There's a mail client in the pipeline too, Netscape Mercury, which will be based on Thunderbird.  Sounds interesting.

[jupiter]

There's a mail client in the pipeline too, Netscape Mercury, which will be based on Thunderbird.  Sounds interesting.

Yes that is interesting. I get on well with Thunderbird but sometimes it seems to be very slow to load (and I do compact folders).