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An open letter to Mozilla, and the Firefox developers

  • 1 reply
  • 1 has this problem
  • 51 views
  • Last reply by Shadow110

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Dear Mozilla,

There are features that Firefox should have, but doesn't. A lot of these features are things that Chrome or other browsers have. Other features are things that Firefox used to have before Quantum, through either (now incompatible) addons or the vanilla experience. However, all of these features I value in a browser and I would dearly like to see them in Firefox. (By the way, I tried sending feedback to Mozilla (multiple times), but nothing happened. I really just need to rant.)

Some of these include the options to:

> shift-click on multiple tabs to drag them together to a new window,

> select and open multiple, specific bookmarks from the Library or a bookmark folder on the toolbar in a new regular or private window,

> choose our default bookmark folder, or have Firefox remember the last saved folder,

> translate a full page like Google Chrome with Google Translate (or another service),

> disable certain addons and extensions when using Private Browsing mode,

> have other found items highlighted when using the Ctrl + F "Find in This Page" function,

> have more than one Firefox profile open simultaneously, and

> export bookmarks from one particular folder.

Chromium browsers also have a built-in cookie manager that I think is needed a lot in Firefox. You can look at it here: https://imgur.com/a/RaCdrhI

Also, if Firefox will only run under WebExtensions from 57+ onward, and since WebExtensions has more limits on what an extension can do than XUL and the Add-on SDK, can we please have more native customization options for Firefox's UI? Specifically, I would like the options:

> to customize and add options to the context menu (like rearranging default and add-on context menu items to different positions, or adding menu items for sharing or printing a page, etc.),

> to increase or decrease the size of the menus,

> to add "fixed-width" spaces (small spaces that don't adjust like flexible-width spaces) and dividers,

> to add items and options (dividers, spaces, addons, etc.) to all toolbars and menus, like to the address/Awesome Bar (directly to it, or to the 'Page actions' section), the main, top right menu, the overflow menu, and the context menu,

> to be able to move the overflow menu, and

> to change or disable keyboard shortcuts without having to install any add-ons, ideally through the about:preferences page.

I, and many others, were first drawn to Firefox by its customization and super user tools. Firefox will, I hope, continue to be one of the leaders in the FOSS movement, and I appreciate the push to make it faster and more secure. However, when most of the functionality that made it unique is stripped, and it is still lacking in essential features found in other browsers, it makes it hard to feel hopeful for and to continue to use. If Firefox will someday regain it's charm, applying these changes would substantially help.

Thank you.

Dear Mozilla, There are features that Firefox should have, but doesn't. A lot of these features are things that Chrome or other browsers have. Other features are things that Firefox used to have before Quantum, through either (now incompatible) addons or the vanilla experience. However, all of these features I value in a browser and I would dearly like to see them in Firefox. (By the way, I tried sending feedback to Mozilla (multiple times), but nothing happened. I really just need to rant.) Some of these include the options to: > shift-click on multiple tabs to drag them together to a new window, > select and open multiple, specific bookmarks from the Library or a bookmark folder on the toolbar in a new regular or private window, > choose our default bookmark folder, or have Firefox remember the last saved folder, > translate a full page like Google Chrome with Google Translate (or another service), > disable certain addons and extensions when using Private Browsing mode, > have other found items highlighted when using the Ctrl + F "Find in This Page" function, > have more than one Firefox profile open simultaneously, and > export bookmarks from one particular folder. Chromium browsers also have a built-in cookie manager that I think is needed a lot in Firefox. You can look at it here: https://imgur.com/a/RaCdrhI Also, if Firefox will only run under WebExtensions from 57+ onward, and since WebExtensions has more limits on what an extension can do than XUL and the Add-on SDK, can we please have more native customization options for Firefox's UI? Specifically, I would like the options: > to customize and add options to the context menu (like rearranging default and add-on context menu items to different positions, or adding menu items for sharing or printing a page, etc.), > to increase or decrease the size of the menus, > to add "fixed-width" spaces (small spaces that don't adjust like flexible-width spaces) and dividers, > to add items and options (dividers, spaces, addons, etc.) to all toolbars and menus, like to the address/Awesome Bar (directly to it, or to the 'Page actions' section), the main, top right menu, the overflow menu, and the context menu, > to be able to move the overflow menu, and > to change or disable keyboard shortcuts without having to install any add-ons, ideally through the about:preferences page. I, and many others, were first drawn to Firefox by its customization and super user tools. Firefox will, I hope, continue to be one of the leaders in the FOSS movement, and I appreciate the push to make it faster and more secure. However, when most of the functionality that made it unique is stripped, and it is still lacking in essential features found in other browsers, it makes it hard to feel hopeful for and to continue to use. If Firefox will someday regain it's charm, applying these changes would substantially help. Thank you.

Modified by BigTFromHahn

All Replies (1)

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Hi, just to let you know the only people that will see this is Volunteer Support. If you want to send it somewhere that will be looked at you can go to the 3 Bar Menu --> Help --> Submit Feedback

Is there something wrong with using userChrome to make some of the changes you want as it can customize Firefox in over 235million ways.

The 3 Dot Menu in the Address Bar, Drag out the Print Icon from Customize and stick it up in the Menu Bar or in the tool bar, Tabs on top or on bottom or where ever you would like them.

I think most things are covered if you ask about the code to do something specific and search/ask Reddit for it also :

Modified by Shadow110