The current production release of Firefox is version 2, but developer releases of version 3 have been available since November 2007. Today Firefox released the beta 3 version of Firefox 3. You can download it here.
I love version 3 of Firefox since most of the memory leak issues on Macs seem to have been fixed (I added it to my list of top applications in December based on that). But a lot of key plugins don’t work yet on Firefox 3, and a lot of sites break when viewed through it as well. Because of that, I’ve switched back to version 2 for now. A list of known issues is here.
Firefox currently has around 17% market share among browsers, second only to Internet Explorer.
Firefox vs IE.What trends?
Beta 2 was a pain in the arse. I switched back to FF2.
I’m about to drop FF like a bad habit and start using IE again.
I have been very happy with FF3, but this last release of the beta is horrible. I will have to switch back to FF2
I’ll wait.
the only reason i switched to FF initially, was the introduction of the smooth typeface on ie7. it ruined my eyes, and i didn’t know it could be turned off at the time.
then i got used to the fatness of the buttons and the adblock extension.
but like the previous commenter said, i’m ready to drop this habit solely because of the memory problem.
a damn shame!
I agree with the memory issues. FF2 crashes/locks up at least two times per day for me – once it nears hogging about 500MB of memory. But I still can’t stand how slow pages load in IE7 so I guess I’m open for suggestions!
Using a hack, I am able to run FF2 and FF3 on the same system. As Michael pointed out, FF3 fixed a lot of memory leaks. I use FF3 for most of my browsing and it works great. I have to stick with FF2 for the new Yahoo mail and occasionally for Flash videos that do not play on FF3. But for the most part, it’s good enough to use.
I gave up on FF and switched back to IE7 a while ago. I still use FF when I need to use the plugins, such as Firebug.
No good, awful, very bad update. I hate the new FF. Fortunately for FF, I dislike Microsoft more.
Will give it a try.. though not with too much positive expectations…
I’ll give FF3 a try when FF4 is released… I am more then happy with what FF2 offers… so why would I possibly wish to upgrade once it’s available? Just because something is new, doesn’t mean it’s any better then what it’s replacing.
Jon
http://buzvia.com – Share Influence!
>Just because something is new, doesn’t mean
>it’s any better then what it’s replacing.
Except when it is.
- A
Firebug 1.1beta10 works in FF3… Though after I got used to using VS to debug in IE, I find that I use IE more now (for JS debugging) since it is soooo much faster.
Firefox 3 Beta 2 was a god send for my 12″ 867Mhz PowerBook. FF2 was never stable and slow as all hell. Firefox 3 is zippy and even though there are a few bugs it is well worth keeping on my machine. Screw you guys with your 1Ghz+ processors!
@Steven Roussey: Are you serious? Take a look at what Firebug has to offer as far as JS debugging goes. It’s certainly more bang for the buck than Visual Studio!
http://www.digi...ast/firebug-js/
Mac has a bad bug that renders the scroll bars on top of every element even those with a higher z-index. It’s driving the FF team nuts I don’t why TC doesn’t make an issue of this.
Note this release for developers not for users. So no blame game.
old news…
“Firefox currently has around 17% market share among browsers, second only to Internet Explorer.”
LOL I love how you had to qualify it – as if some mystery browser had snuck in and overtaken internet explorer. LOL, OH Mike, you keep me young.
Also, FF3 sucks shit when you are trying to close it and save the tabs you had open – it takes about 5 minutes to stop using like 100% of the processor. So you trade memory leaks for incredibly shitty performance during program shutdown.
“Using a hack, I am able to run FF2 and FF3 on the same system. As Michael pointed out, FF3 fixed a lot of memory leaks. I use FF3 for most of my browsing and it works great. I have to stick with FF2 for the new Yahoo mail and occasionally for Flash videos that do not play on FF3. But for the most part, it’s good enough to use.”
what? “hack”??? just install the portable version of FF2 or FF3, and then install the regular version of the other one. No complications, no “hacking” – or is that way of making yourself feel special. LOL.
I like the new Mac version skin. Much more inline with OSX theme going on. I hate the address bar when im typing. Just give me a list, i dont need all the url title and crap.
I’m messing with it right now… Not impressed yet ’cause most of my add-ons don’t work yet.
Thinking about trying it. Oh, wait, is this Twitter?
All youse wannabe Haxx0rs out there …
If u wanna run FF 3B with all the plugins enabled … here is what u should do..
1. install FF2
2. install Nightly Build Tester Tools Addon
3. install x,y,z foo and bar Addons inside FF2
4. Exit FF2
5. Install your choice of FF 3B what not Dont import…
6. Get Nightly Tester Tools to “unblock” all youse current Addons in FF 3B
7. Its the seventh day. Enjoy your newly enabled FireFox experience.
Mike, I’m disappointed in you, I though for sure you’d be a Safari 3 user on the mac.
I can`t wait to test it out. We can not bring reproaches to a browser that it`s still on beta version.
Shareaholic, winner of the latest Mozilla.org Extend Firefox competition, is now compatible with Firefox3beta3 – https://addons....efox/addon/5457
in Firefox many times i face problem with many sites
I’m happy with Firefox 3 beta 2 and upgraded to Firefox 3 beta 3 now. Said NO to Micro$oft.
I have been a long time user of FF, but have now switched to Webkit. The nightly builds are 4-5 times faster than anything else in the market, it passes Acid 2 and works on all my bank and credit card sites. Browsing is fun again!
Umm… I just installed FF3 beta 3 on a mac and it’s AMAZING. So much smoother than the last firefox, interface looks great (except the gray doesn’t get lighter so it kind of looks like it is always selected), and I know this is small but I love that it can now scroll when not selected like the rest of leopard! makes researching while typing a paper soooo much easier.
Flock it!
I switched back to FF2 as well… had crazy scrolling problems. Since yesterday I have moved to webkit (which is also available for windows). OK no addons but man it is so unbelievably fast! w00t! http://nightly.webkit.org/
Still no google toolbar…
With all the resources in mountain view, you’d think they would have an update by now…
Beta 2 had some problem, I think this release will work more efficiently.
hasn’t this been around for ages? I’ve certainly had it a few months
i am still faithful wid ff2.
Let’s hope the Mac version can get the FavIcon images correct – minor issue, but annoying none-the-less
Slimy headline Mr. Arrington?
Followed by M$ astroturfers badmouthing firefox?
Welcome to Techcrunch the new anti-firefox propaganda machine sponsored by M$
I like FF 2.0 but mine locks up after awhile, especially when memory demands increase. I’m frequently killing the firefox.exe process via the task manager. I’m not a big fan of IE but the FF lockups are frustrating.
@10 followup – tried (and writing this comment with FF3.0b3).
Disappointing as usual, and as expected.
Firefox, oh Firefox, you were so great when I had a PC and now on my shiny new Mac you fail me almost daily, with locks, hangs, and slightly different rendering…
Please, please, please, let FF 3 be stable.
@20,
Sure you can use portable firefox if you want to deal with all kinds of quirks like installing a local copy of Java, separate steps to install common plugins, etc. No thanks, I will stick to my “hack”.
Most current activity on the Firefox 3 front is wrapped up in planning, scoping, and assigning tasks. But for the most part, it’s good enough to use.
Enough of this childish nonsense. Grow up and use IE7.
I am still a fan of Firefox. No idea to switch yet. There is no need to compare FF2 and IE7, maybe FF3 and IE8.
It’s a f***ing beta. The purpose of a beta is to test for bugs. Either report them to the Mozilla team or play “hide and go f*** yourselves”.
You’re more then welcome to try and find me but I’m not responsible if you’re hurt like all the other trespassers as per the trespasser policy that we hold.
It’s supposed to suck people. Beta means it’s for testers and developers.
If you want it to be stable, WAIT FOR A STABLE RELEASE.
Holy crap, for a bunch of tech heads you guys are morons.
Is there anywhere that lists which addons are compatible with firefox 3 betea 3 ???
Considering this is a beta, I’m surprised at how well the Firefox browser works. I like the new back/forward/reload buttons on the Beta, but considering it’s in the third stage of the beta and IE8 is on their first stage, I would think that Firefox would be better, but overall they’re about the same.