Firefox 3.1 Beta 1 released

polonyc2 · 10-17-2008, 01:54 AM

If you're a Firefox fan that just has to be on the cutting edge, you'll be pleased to hear that the Mozilla Foundation has released the first public beta for Firefox 3.1.

According to Download.com the main change for 3.1 above the current Firefox 3.0 release is a different JavaScript engine with vastly improved performance, alongside a smartened user interface for switching between tabs, and improvements to the so-called 'Awesome Bar'.

The new JavaScript engine, the most important change over existing Firefox builds, is included in the beta but deactivated by default. In order to make use of the improved engine – codenamed TraceMonkey – you'll have to make a tweak in Firefox's internal configurations via the about:config menu accessible from the location bar. By changing the value of javascript.options.jit.content to true, the new TraceMonkey engine will be enabled the next time you start Firefox.

As if this wasn't enough, the beta also features an in-built version of the Geode location-tracking system, which was previously only available as a limited-functionality plugin. Coupled with the aforementioned improved tab switching UI – using CTRL+Tab to move between tabs brings up a snazzy Vista-style graphical interface – and you've got yourself a pretty decent browser to be playing with...

New Firefox beta even faster than FF3 | Software news, tips and opinions from Download.com editors - Download.com

Firefox 3.1 beta download

Firefox web browser | International versions: Get Firefox in your language

polonyc2 · 02-04-2009, 10:18 AM

looks like Mozilla is having trouble with Firefox 3.1...this latest version uses a new Javascript engine called TraceMonkey which apparently improves speeds by up to 40% compared to version 3.0...I enabled it in the Firefox 3.1 beta and it is definitely much faster and right up there with Chrome but Mozilla is having issues stomping out the bugs...Firefox 3.1 has been delayed several times because of these issues which is unusual for Mozilla

hopefully they work out the kinks before Chrome starts breathing down their necks

**k0NG0** · 02-04-2009, 04:01 PM

According to Net Applications:
Firefox 21.53%
Chrome 1.12%

It'll be a while before Chrome is breathing down Firefox's neck. But I welcome the competition, both are standards-oriented browsers and keen on improving the web as an open technology platform. Good stuff.

But yeah, they've got some issues with TraceMonkey. Not surprising, since it's a pretty advanced piece of work, but anyway. I'm looking forward to it.

polonyc2 · 02-05-2009, 09:53 AM

Chrome is just out of the womb...give it time...I'm really liking Chrome and think it will continue to grow and hopefully be a player in the browser market in the years to come...and Mozilla seems to be very worried about Chrome hence the rush to implement the new TraceMonkey engine into Firefox 3.1 which was not part of the feature set in the original roadmap...they rushed this in response to Chrome's blazingly fast engine...so if Mozilla is worried then I would not be so quick to discount them because of their current poor market share

Firefox trails behind Chrome in every speed/rendering test I've seen...looks like they were caught off guard

after going back to Firefox 3.06 I really notice the relatively slow load times as compared to the beta 3.1 with TraceMonkey enabled...think I'm gonna switchover to Chrome until the final version of Firefox 3.1 is released...I really am hoping Chrome develops some nice extensions and GUI improvements in future versions to match their Javascript engine...if that happens it's a no brainer as to which browser I'll be using full time

sammy2066 · 02-05-2009, 10:25 AM

How does this score in Acid 3? Webkit nightly builds that I use have been getting 100 ...

polonyc2 · 02-05-2009, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammy2066

How does this score in Acid 3? Webkit nightly builds that I use have been getting 100 ...

3.1 beta apparently scores in the high 80's...Chrome is right up there as well...apparently Opera 10 and Safari 4 score a perfect 100

**k0NG0** · 02-05-2009, 05:39 PM

I doubt they were caught off-guard since TraceMonkey was being developed before Google even announced Chrome (TM development started in June or so last year).

Performance wins have jumped between TraceMonkey, V8 and SquirrelFish since autumn. Google has even released own benchmarks that naturally show V8 being the best. I prefer SunSpider and Dromaeo benchmark numbers, since they somewhat represent reality and focus on most aspects of the web. Haven't seen numbers on recent nightly builds in a while.

You would expect Chrome to pass Acid3 100/100 since Ian Hixie who authors the test is employed by Google. Not that there's any funny business behind it all. I know some SMIL support is missing in Firefox and won't make it into 3.1 so 100/100 is a no go until e.g. 3.2 or whatever comes next.

polonyc2 · 02-06-2009, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k0NG0

I doubt they were caught off-guard since TraceMonkey was being developed before Google even announced Chrome (TM development started in June or so last year).

but TraceMonkey was not intended to be put into Firefox 3.1 but a later version of the browser...they rushed implementing this into 3.1 after seeing Chrome's success with their WebKit/V8 engine...they seem to have panicked a bit hence the issues they are now experiencing with TraceMonkey...had they stuck to their original roadmap they would have more time to work the kinks out...a rare misstep by Mozilla

polonyc2 · 02-22-2009, 10:38 PM

Firefox 3.1 delivery slips; developers question TraceMonkey progress

Some Mozilla Corp. developers have recommended that the company consider yanking the new JavaScript engine, dubbed TraceMonkey, from Firefox 3.1 to get the browser back on track and out the door...

Firefox 3.1 delivery slips; developers question TraceMonkey progress

10-17-2008, 01:54 AM	#1
polonyc2 Banned Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 8,200	Firefox 3.1 Beta 1 released If you're a Firefox fan that just has to be on the cutting edge, you'll be pleased to hear that the Mozilla Foundation has released the first public beta for Firefox 3.1. According to Download.com the main change for 3.1 above the current Firefox 3.0 release is a different JavaScript engine with vastly improved performance, alongside a smartened user interface for switching between tabs, and improvements to the so-called 'Awesome Bar'. The new JavaScript engine, the most important change over existing Firefox builds, is included in the beta but deactivated by default. In order to make use of the improved engine – codenamed TraceMonkey – you'll have to make a tweak in Firefox's internal configurations via the about:config menu accessible from the location bar. By changing the value of javascript.options.jit.content to true, the new TraceMonkey engine will be enabled the next time you start Firefox. As if this wasn't enough, the beta also features an in-built version of the Geode location-tracking system, which was previously only available as a limited-functionality plugin. Coupled with the aforementioned improved tab switching UI – using CTRL+Tab to move between tabs brings up a snazzy Vista-style graphical interface – and you've got yourself a pretty decent browser to be playing with... New Firefox beta even faster than FF3 \| Software news, tips and opinions from Download.com editors - Download.com Firefox 3.1 beta download Firefox web browser \| International versions: Get Firefox in your language __________________ ASUS Maximus Formula (X38) *** XFX GTX 260 Black Edition Core 216 896MB Intel E8400 * Noctua NH-U12P G.Skill 4 GB (2 X 2 GB) DDR2 800 4-4-4-12 * Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB WD6401AALS Lian Li PC-A70B (black) * Corsair HX850W AuzenTech Auzen X-Fi Prelude 7.1 * Creative Inspire P5800 5.1 speakers Sony Optiarc AD-7240S-0B * Sony GDM-F520 21' CRT monitor (19.8' viewable) Vista Business 64-bit w/SP2 * standard 3.5" floppy drive Microsoft Laser Mouse 6000 *** Microsoft Wired Keyboard 500 (Black)
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02-04-2009, 10:18 AM	#2
polonyc2 Banned Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 8,200	looks like Mozilla is having trouble with Firefox 3.1...this latest version uses a new Javascript engine called TraceMonkey which apparently improves speeds by up to 40% compared to version 3.0...I enabled it in the Firefox 3.1 beta and it is definitely much faster and right up there with Chrome but Mozilla is having issues stomping out the bugs...Firefox 3.1 has been delayed several times because of these issues which is unusual for Mozilla hopefully they work out the kinks before Chrome starts breathing down their necks __________________ ASUS Maximus Formula (X38) *** XFX GTX 260 Black Edition Core 216 896MB Intel E8400 * Noctua NH-U12P G.Skill 4 GB (2 X 2 GB) DDR2 800 4-4-4-12 * Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB WD6401AALS Lian Li PC-A70B (black) * Corsair HX850W AuzenTech Auzen X-Fi Prelude 7.1 * Creative Inspire P5800 5.1 speakers Sony Optiarc AD-7240S-0B * Sony GDM-F520 21' CRT monitor (19.8' viewable) Vista Business 64-bit w/SP2 * standard 3.5" floppy drive Microsoft Laser Mouse 6000 *** Microsoft Wired Keyboard 500 (Black)
(Offline)

02-04-2009, 04:01 PM	#3
k0NG0 Remembering TQ Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sweden Posts: 13,750	Re: Firefox 3.1 Beta 1 released According to Net Applications: Firefox 21.53% Chrome 1.12% It'll be a while before Chrome is breathing down Firefox's neck. But I welcome the competition, both are standards-oriented browsers and keen on improving the web as an open technology platform. Good stuff. But yeah, they've got some issues with TraceMonkey. Not surprising, since it's a pretty advanced piece of work, but anyway. I'm looking forward to it. __________________ Use Firefox - "the one that blocks all the schmutz" Feeling multicore elation? Remember this correlation: Amdahl's Law.
(Offline)

02-05-2009, 09:53 AM	#4
polonyc2 Banned Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 8,200	Chrome is just out of the womb...give it time...I'm really liking Chrome and think it will continue to grow and hopefully be a player in the browser market in the years to come...and Mozilla seems to be very worried about Chrome hence the rush to implement the new TraceMonkey engine into Firefox 3.1 which was not part of the feature set in the original roadmap...they rushed this in response to Chrome's blazingly fast engine...so if Mozilla is worried then I would not be so quick to discount them because of their current poor market share Firefox trails behind Chrome in every speed/rendering test I've seen...looks like they were caught off guard after going back to Firefox 3.06 I really notice the relatively slow load times as compared to the beta 3.1 with TraceMonkey enabled...think I'm gonna switchover to Chrome until the final version of Firefox 3.1 is released...I really am hoping Chrome develops some nice extensions and GUI improvements in future versions to match their Javascript engine...if that happens it's a no brainer as to which browser I'll be using full time __________________ ASUS Maximus Formula (X38) *** XFX GTX 260 Black Edition Core 216 896MB Intel E8400 * Noctua NH-U12P G.Skill 4 GB (2 X 2 GB) DDR2 800 4-4-4-12 * Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB WD6401AALS Lian Li PC-A70B (black) * Corsair HX850W AuzenTech Auzen X-Fi Prelude 7.1 * Creative Inspire P5800 5.1 speakers Sony Optiarc AD-7240S-0B * Sony GDM-F520 21' CRT monitor (19.8' viewable) Vista Business 64-bit w/SP2 * standard 3.5" floppy drive Microsoft Laser Mouse 6000 *** Microsoft Wired Keyboard 500 (Black)
(Offline)

02-05-2009, 10:25 AM	#5
sammy2066 ABX Public Relations Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: ABXZone.com Posts: 8,687	Re: Firefox 3.1 Beta 1 released How does this score in Acid 3? Webkit nightly builds that I use have been getting 100 ... __________________ Most users ever online was 1,377, 04-19-2006 at 10:31 PM.
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02-05-2009, 05:39 PM	#7
k0NG0 Remembering TQ Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sweden Posts: 13,750	Re: Firefox 3.1 Beta 1 released I doubt they were caught off-guard since TraceMonkey was being developed before Google even announced Chrome (TM development started in June or so last year). Performance wins have jumped between TraceMonkey, V8 and SquirrelFish since autumn. Google has even released own benchmarks that naturally show V8 being the best. I prefer SunSpider and Dromaeo benchmark numbers, since they somewhat represent reality and focus on most aspects of the web. Haven't seen numbers on recent nightly builds in a while. You would expect Chrome to pass Acid3 100/100 since Ian Hixie who authors the test is employed by Google. Not that there's any funny business behind it all. I know some SMIL support is missing in Firefox and won't make it into 3.1 so 100/100 is a no go until e.g. 3.2 or whatever comes next. __________________ Use Firefox - "the one that blocks all the schmutz" Feeling multicore elation? Remember this correlation: Amdahl's Law.
(Offline)

02-22-2009, 10:38 PM	#9
polonyc2 Banned Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 8,200	Firefox 3.1 delivery slips; developers question TraceMonkey progress Some Mozilla Corp. developers have recommended that the company consider yanking the new JavaScript engine, dubbed TraceMonkey, from Firefox 3.1 to get the browser back on track and out the door... Firefox 3.1 delivery slips; developers question TraceMonkey progress __________________ ASUS Maximus Formula (X38) *** XFX GTX 260 Black Edition Core 216 896MB Intel E8400 * Noctua NH-U12P G.Skill 4 GB (2 X 2 GB) DDR2 800 4-4-4-12 * Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB WD6401AALS Lian Li PC-A70B (black) * Corsair HX850W AuzenTech Auzen X-Fi Prelude 7.1 * Creative Inspire P5800 5.1 speakers Sony Optiarc AD-7240S-0B * Sony GDM-F520 21' CRT monitor (19.8' viewable) Vista Business 64-bit w/SP2 * standard 3.5" floppy drive Microsoft Laser Mouse 6000 *** Microsoft Wired Keyboard 500 (Black)
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