I have been using Firefox since early 2000s, when it was briefly named Firebird (possibly even its Phoenix named versions). On my first job it was my main browser for 14 years. And at home i have been using it since 2004, when i’ve got my first internet connection installed. It were exciting times with the release of 1.0 and then 1.5, 2.0, 3.5. I was very invested in this project, discussing it on local forums, posting news, filing bugs.
There was a number of setbacks for me during those years. Which were frustrating, annoying, but eventually i would adjust and continue using it. Technology changes. Operating systems come and go, same with software versions. And usually we adjust and continue. Especially, if there is a useful improvement. But with Firefox it never felt this way.
It started with Australis UI update back in 2014 (version 29.0). It was a clear attempt to copy the style of Chrome (which is a recurring theme with Firefox redesigns). And it was a huge departure from what it used to look like and what i and many users were used to. I mention this in Mozilla Firefox eros pabaiga [LT] (in Lithuanian). Inefficient tab spacing and design, bad fonts. But, at that point in time Firefox was still based on powerful XUL API, which was one of the reasons for me to love Firefox. It was insanely customizable browser both from visual and functional standpoint. I have chilled on extensions in the recent years, but i used to have tons of them for various purposes. One of them was Classic Theme Restorer, which helped me keep familiar UI until the death of XUL.
I was postponing migration to Quantum (Photon UI, version 57.0) for about a year (Mozilla Firefox – migracija į Quantum [LT]). In the end i have decided to bite the bullet, found WebExtension replacements for at least some of the add-ons. But not for the most useful like Classic Theme Restorer or Tab Mix Plus. Browsing with lots of tabs became less convenient (single line with scroll buttons at the edges, so inefficient). But at least tabs still looked like tabs and had clear borders.
Then version 89.0 came in 2021 – Proton UI (Mozilla Firefox 89.0 – Proton Redesign [EN]). When many UI elements became bulkier, with more spacing. Like tabbar, because it had to fit in tabs that were now floating rectangles. There were crazy effects with jumping address bar, but later they toned it down. That’s another thing. Initial versions shown to the public often are more drastic than what eventually ships. If those initial ideas would stick, i might have switched long ago.
So, yes. A few days ago i have read about a final release of a new redesign called “Nova” (version 157.0). As with other UI versions, there is still for the time being a setting in about:config that allows to revert to previous design, but it will be gone in a few months or so. And for a few days i am using Microsoft Edge now.
There are people on the internet who like the new design. Good for them. There are also lots (especially on Reddit, surprise, surprise) who say “why can’t you just get used?”. And i say, why? I have already went through adjustment with Australis, Quantum, Proton. I am getting tired of this process and i don’t see how Firefox design path aligns with my browsing habits and visual taste. Sure, i can try applying another theme, even custom CSS, although probably won’t fix rounded tabs and padding everywhere. But i don’t have to do that. If you use say Windows and new version comes out, old becomes obsolete, you don’t really have a choice. With browsers there is choice and it is easier. Firefox team made it easier to switch from them when they ditched XUL and went with WebExtensions. Many add-ons have their analogues in Chrome/Edge store as they are almost the same.
I am not saying that i won’t use Firefox ever again. There could be another redesign in a few years that maybe i will like better. Although, that alone might not be enough to switch back. I am still using ESR version at work for its containers feature (it is more convenient than profiles in Edge). There are cases when i need to check something in multiple browsers and it is faster to just start another than dealing with Incognito tabs/profiles. So, i will have 2-3 browsers installed.
Edge also has its quirks and annoyances, like the infamous rounded border around viewport/content that appeared a few months ago. I don’t like big spacing between bookmarks on the favorites bar. And its Picture in Picture functionality seems like version 0.1 of Firefox implementation (no automatic PiP when switching tabs, no size and position retaining). On the other hand, tabs look like tabs, with separators, and this is with default theme out of the box. When you open a link as a new tab, it opens next to the current tab, not at the end of tab row. Firefox does that for so many years and it is just bonkers for me to open new tabs always at the end. I used to have extensions to fix it and Edge does it by default (next to a current tab). As it is Chromium based, i am getting better performance, especially on sites like Youtube.
Firefox dev team is making a bet on making browser look playful and colorful to lure more new users. I just wonder if that would offset a number of long time users leaving to other browsers for a more conventional UI. Time will show. Firefox market share is so small though, that such fluctuation could be unnoticable.
Who knows, maybe Edge development team will end up eating same mushrooms and going with crazy colorful design and tabs in the shape of triangles 😀 Then maybe will have to switch to Chrome or something else.