Mozilla Firefox 1.5 RC1

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Mozilla Firefox 1.5 Release Candidate is now available for download. This release of the next major Firefox update is aimed at testers, extension/theme authors and Web developers. The final release of Firefox 1.5, which will be widely promoted to end-users, is scheduled for release sometime this month.

This release does not contain any major new features since Beta 2. Improvements to automated update system, Web site rendering and performance, along with several security fixes are included in this release.

Beta 2 users that want to help test software update, should wait for the automatic update to be triggered sometime in the next few days. The incremental update from Beta 2 to RC1 is half a megabyte or smaller.

Download: Mozilla Firefox 1.5 RC1

View: Unofficial Changelog | Release Notes

View: Neowin Forum Discussion

What's new:

General

new: Remove old BIOS information compatibility option
new: Keyboard layout and Language group unattended options
update: .NET Framework 2.0 compatibility
update: Redesigned few pages, more readable
update: Smaller final size by compressing more files
update: KB891957-x64, KB906569, KB899589-v2, KB900725 integration
update: RVM Pack 2.0+ support
fix: Missing DATA folder error message
fix: Driver integration from read-only media

Components

new: Keyboard layouts
new: Acm Core Codecs
new: Network Location Awareness (NLA)
update: NetDDE (back)
update: Printer Support (removes spooler service)
update: BlueTooth not dependable on Modem Support
update: WMP connectivity not dependant on ICW
fix: SCSI drivers component detection

(5 replies) #1 FWM on 04 Nov 2005 - 11:20

Firefox used to display a little XML icon in buttom right corner, when a page supported RSS feeds. This icon doesn't show anymore in 1.5, anyone know why or how I can turn it on again?

#1.1 Daedalus on 04 Nov 2005 - 11:27

The icon now appears in the address bar... at least it does for me.

#1.2 the_guy on 04 Nov 2005 - 11:28

That icon is now in the address bar.

EDIT: Daedalus got there before me

#1.3 FWM on 04 Nov 2005 - 11:37

Cant believe I missed that. Thanks to both of you.

#1.4 venimus on 07 Nov 2005 - 12:41

"The icon now appears in the address bar... at least it does for me."

Yet another inovation stolen from Opera...

#1.5 theyarecomingforyou on 07 Nov 2005 - 22:30

QUOTE

Yet another inovation stolen from Opera...

Yes, just like the way Firefox "stole" the way IE6 SP2 put the popup bar to the top - the point is not to rip-off ideas that browsers share but to create some form of unity. It does not benefit the user to have icons all over the place depending on what browser you use - the feature was already there, they just moved it to benefit the user.

(1 reply) #2 sLm4ever on 04 Nov 2005 - 12:36

should I wait to the final or is it ok to use the Candidate = ??

#2.1 Caleb on 04 Nov 2005 - 12:44

You can use the RC, and it will be automatically updated (or manually via Help > Check for updates) to the Final version, when it's out.

(3 replies) #3 Artifex on 04 Nov 2005 - 13:13

Could someone tell me what extensions among these which don't work with the 1.5 RC1?

ChromEdit 0.1.1.1
Toolbar Enhancements 0.16.2
QuickNote 0.6.0.1
OpenBook 1.3.4
EZNav 1.0.2
Download Statusbar 09.3.1
Compact Menu 1.7.2
Super DragAndGo 0.2.4
Scrollbar Anywhere 0.8
IE View 1.2.6.1
Menu Editor 1.2
Save Image in Folder 0.6.3
Save Link in Folder 0.8.3
TargetAlert 0.8.9.4
Browse Images 0.3.1
Extended Statusbar 1.2
DomNav 1.0.0
Linkification 1.1.6
CustomizeGoogle 0.35
Tab Mix Plus 0.3 Alpha 0.2.9.2005102700

Thanks in Advance!

Edit: Curiosity killed my proverbial cat, so here are the extensions that work for me, with some post-installation upgrades:

Linkification 1.1.6
Browse Images 0.3.1
IE View 1.2.7
Scrollbar Anywhere 0.8
OpenBook 1.3.4
QuickNote 0.6.0.2
Download Statusbar 0.9.3.1
Extended Statusbar 1.2.3
Tab Mix Plus 0.3 Alpha 0.2.9.2005102700
Menu Editor 1.2
CustomizeGoogle 0.35

Last edited by 64841 on 04 Nov 2005 - 17:09

#3.1 sinatosk on 04 Nov 2005 - 13:25

not hard to find out... just backup your current firefox settings and install 1.5rc1 and it will tell you... uninstall and reinstall 1.0.7 if your unhappy with 1.5rc1 and restore settings... won't take long

#3.2 Artifex on 04 Nov 2005 - 13:32

That is an option, but seeing as I'm quite "unsavvy" at this kind of operations, I'd rather hear from anyone who has tested them (of course not by installing all of them and test them just for me, but rather I'd like to hear from anyone who has any of my extensions) before I do all of what you mention.

Of course I don't demand an answer to my original question, I'm just hoping for it.

Thanks anyway!

#3.3 Angel Blue01 on 04 Nov 2005 - 14:13

Well if the original authors say they work in Deerpark chances are good they work in the RC. Just check.

(3 replies) #4 Tai on 04 Nov 2005 - 14:25

or .. someone could make an extension to check if your current extensions will work with a new build of Firefox

#4.1 Artifex on 04 Nov 2005 - 14:40

Well, there is an extension which can bump the version number of other extensions, but I've read that don't work all the time, because of code changes.

As for your idea, yeah, if one could make an extension which could check a downloaded firefox .exe for compatibility with extensions in an already installed .exe, or that -exe's installed folder, that would be great!

#4.2 Tai on 04 Nov 2005 - 16:46

i bet someone here on neowin could do it ... 'the great neowin firefox extension checker'

#4.3 supernova_00 on 04 Nov 2005 - 18:45

checking if extensions are compatible is built into the updating feature...they are automatically checked before the update is downloaded and you are notified if there are extensions that aren't compatible and asks if you want it to check for an update.

(4 replies) #5 drgrudge on 04 Nov 2005 - 17:08

Does anyone knows abt Mr. Tech local install extension. That extension is used to make old extensions/themes with the newer versions of FX.

The thing is that we can't install nightly tester with this extension or atleast it wont work.

By the way, is there any issues with RC1 and is it somewhat bug free and usable?

#5.1 toadeater on 04 Nov 2005 - 18:18

Use the Nightly Tester Tools to force old extensions to be installed:

http://users.blueprintit.co.uk/~dave/web/firefox/buildid/nightly.html

#5.2 drgrudge on 04 Nov 2005 - 20:48

It dont work with the Nightly Tester Tools, thats the problem.

#5.3 toadeater on 06 Nov 2005 - 19:45

Then it is incompatible with 1.5.

#5.4 Litespeed on 08 Nov 2005 - 21:01

I've been using it since it was released and I'm very pleased with it. It seems a lot faster on my PC than 1.0.7 was.

#6 Bemani Dog on 04 Nov 2005 - 17:20

My Automatic Update kicked in, like, three days ago.

#7 dubya on 04 Nov 2005 - 17:32

I would update but the authors of my most used extension (keyconfig) haven't made it compatible yet

#8 SSRules on 04 Nov 2005 - 19:40

use nighty tester to make them work

(1 reply) #9 Jonny6pak on 04 Nov 2005 - 21:40

You can also manually edit extensions. Save the xpi file to your desktop and change the file extension from .xpi to .zip. Unzip and edit the install.rdf file in a text editor so that <em:maxVersion> for firefox to read 1.6. Save the file and zip everything back up. Change the extension back to .xpi and install.

#9.1 Ned on 05 Nov 2005 - 09:29

...and if you're using a nightly build, you'll have to make the max version greater than 1.6.1a. All my extentions currently have a max version of 2.0

This is one of the main reasons I don't (can't, won't) file bug reports.

#10 DOGglee on 05 Nov 2005 - 01:38

awesome

#11 dmbandfan22 on 05 Nov 2005 - 02:09

so when can we expect the final version of 1.5 to come out? before thanksgiving maybe?

(3 replies) #12 greg098 on 05 Nov 2005 - 02:39

It comes out November 9th

#12.1 ScorpionKing on 05 Nov 2005 - 03:53

No it isn't, rc2 has been schedule for Nov 11. depending on the feedback from rc1.. after rc2 is release i say give it a week or two before ff 1.5 final comes out.

Last edited by 97844 on 05 Nov 2005 - 04:26

#12.2 greg098 on 05 Nov 2005 - 12:11

awww really? that sux

#12.3 n1g3lng on 05 Nov 2005 - 12:43

not too bad IMHO. I rather wait 'n' see a stable release than a release'n'patch

But I'd say current beta2 is far ahead to what I expect, stable very rarely crash (only with Nvidia.com site, I have no idea what actually happens).

(2 replies) #13 Erftek on 05 Nov 2005 - 15:28

What about security? Did they fix all the know securtiy problems that have been shown on secunia.com ?

#13.1 mr_demilord on 05 Nov 2005 - 17:23

Yes they fixed the bugs

#13.2 Erftek on 05 Nov 2005 - 18:12

Awesome! Switches back to FF.

Last edited by 55382 on 05 Nov 2005 - 18:21

(1 reply) #14 HaZMaTiK on 05 Nov 2005 - 15:35

does anyone else experience a crash when viewing the apple ipod page for the new video ipods

#14.1 n1g3lng on 05 Nov 2005 - 22:24

as stated above on other's reply, I got problem with nvidia website and yes, once in Apple site. Have no idea

#15 Section 31 on 06 Nov 2005 - 21:49

I can't post with FireFox v1.0.7, I'm going to try this one.

#16 Code Red on 07 Nov 2005 - 06:22

Nice, I updated just now.

#17 Airlink on 07 Nov 2005 - 10:50

Ok, I'm now using 1.5rc1, no problems.. well not NO problems, but none worth mentioning here.
Just, you know... the usual annoyances that come with using a browser that comforms to standards that Microsoft doesn't conform to.
(grumbles under his breath about those goddamm Frontpage extentions)
Using Thuderbird 1.5rc1, too. It won't load the DisplayMailUserAgent (DisplMUA) extension, but It seems that DisplMUA will be upgraded soon, so no big problem there.
I have to say I'm not much of a fan of the new "default" theme that shipped with 1.5rc1. Why the hell didn't they ship the old 1.0.x theme with 1.5rc1? Thery could have packaged as a downloadable theme for people like me who want to go back to the old famliar theme, but no. Gotta shove that new theme down everyone's bandwith.. 'casue it's NEW! Ohhh... shiney and new, everyone loves new.. it's the newest new thing to be new since the new new became new! Bleh!
There's nothin really wrong with the new theme, per se, but I'm so used to the old theme that getting used to the new theme is pushing my "Old Man" buttons. You know the ones I mean. Same ones that pop up whenever I hear Rap music or see some trend follower wearing an iPod 'casu he thinks it's a fassion accesory.
Oh, hell.. I'm off ona rant again. Forgot to tak my meds again. 'scuse me.
:hobbles off to the pharmacist:

Last edited by 133628 on 07 Nov 2005 - 10:55

(1 reply) #18 Havin_it on 07 Nov 2005 - 16:29

Nice - didn't know about the TB update, just installed that too

It's one annoying thing about running in a non-admin account on Windows (other platforms?): you don't get update notifications (apart from extension ones). Obviously you won't be able to install without reopening the application as an admin user, but it'd be nice to get the heads-up telling you to do so! Hope they nail this in due course - it would be nice if Windows Update did likewise, but am not holding my breath on that one...

Also, is anyone else finding that after restarting Firefox or Tbird [after auto-updating], the menu-item that was 'Check for updates...' now shows 'Downloading Firefox 1.5...' and the spinner. I clicked this in TB and it downloaded the whole app (7MB) and seemed to do another reinstall/restart cycle. After that, the menu-item was back to normal. In Firefox I just clicked 'Hide' on the download dialog and closed the browser. WTF was going on there? Is the auto-update thing a big cheat, or is this just a bug?

EDIT: It's a bug. After completing the 'other' update process described above, the About dialog still shows 1.5beta2, and running Check for Updates results in a notification to update to RC1. Anyone else finding this?

Last edited by 134402 on 07 Nov 2005 - 16:37

#18.1 Airlink on 08 Nov 2005 - 05:19

No, that didn't happen for me. Could be a FF bug. You should report it to the FF project.

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