Filed under: Software
Optimized Firefox Builds
Programmer Neil Bruce Lee has compiled two nonofficial "Firefox" builds based on Firefox 2.0.0.1. One is optimized for the G5, and the other for Intel Macs. He's working on a G4-optimized version as well. By matching the builds to the architecture, you can expect better performance overall, which is cool. Some of his builds offer Aqua-style form widgets. Which is also cool. Or really annoying. I haven't decided which. For Intel Macs, you can choose between versions with "firefoxy" form widgets or the Aqua-style one.
As we previously reported, these builds are not called "Firefox" and they do not use the Firefox logo. As Lee explains, the Firefox name and icon are copyrighted trademarked and cannot be used for nonofficial versions. If I ever adopt a puppy, I will call it "Firefox" and gleefully and nonofficially break copyright trademark at every possible opportunity. "Here Firefox!" "Firefox, fetch!" *pat* *pat* "Good Firefox."
Thanks B Shubinsky
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jason said 10:59AM on 12-25-2006
Yah, been using the FF Intel build w/Cocoa widgets and so far it's good. I'm still a Camino person, but it's nice to see a non-horrid widget version of FF. I understand the whole XUL thing, but I never liked the way FF looked like Windows on every platform.
FF is starting to be a requirement for testing via Firebug; I'm bummed this doesn't work in Camino. I also recommend the 'Pinstripe' theme with FF.
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teece said 12:55PM on 12-25-2006
One can not copyright the name "Firefox."
It is trademarked -- a different set of laws with a different set of rules. Common misconception. (The icon is copyrighted, I'm sure, but again, it's more it's trademark nature that keeps it from being used there, too).
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Hoover said 1:48PM on 12-25-2006
I'm in love with the Intel build on my MBP.
Although I haven't had as much luck with the G4 build on my stalwart PowerMac. Sometimes it occupies 70-85% of the CPU. I am not smart enough to discern why this might be.
Also, I think BonEcho is a cool name, and the icons are snazzy.
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frozendevil said 2:26PM on 12-25-2006
G4 + more Intel builds: http://www.furbism.com/firefoxmac/
or are these significantly different?
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iamdigitalman said 4:32PM on 12-25-2006
What about all of us G3 users? I am running Mac OS X 10.4.8 proudly and prominantly on a Blue and White G3 400mhz, 512mb, 120gb ATI rage 128 (stock) beast. firefox runs fine, but it's not nearly as fast on this mac. I could use a specailly optimized build, even if i'm the minority, but I KNOW there are other people running OS X on G3s out there who would like this. remember, the G3 era lasted from 1997 thru 2003, and all of them can run OS X, and run it well.
just my holiday 2 cents.
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Jon Williams said 5:15PM on 12-25-2006
Is there really that much of an advantage to these builds? GCC has to know how to do special magic for these machines. Is there something being done that gives an overall benefit from a simple optimization technique between the G4 and G5 (for example). Perhaps the ability to use more registers all the time or addition of significant amounts of SIMD instructions?
Also, I understand how we can compare optimization of algorithms, but does anyone have a good metric for how optimzation benefits a whole application?
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Chris said 11:26AM on 12-27-2006
I use these optimized builds on my G3 (well, camino) and G4 machines. iamdigitalman, check out g3 optimized versions of camino at http://kb.mozillazine.org/Camino_:_Optimised_Builds. I have a few old imacs around the house and they are totally usable even in panther with these optimized builds. I have also noticed improvements in overall usability when I get rid of the drop shadows behind windows using http://www.unsanity.com/haxies/shadowkiller
Give it a whirl! I love the old imacs ... more power to anyone who wants to keep them alive :)
Chris
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Jamie S said 12:34PM on 12-27-2006
Umm... Isn't Firefox 2.0.0.1 that I get from GetFirefox.com already Intel optimized? My activity monitor is say "Intel" when it's running.
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andrew said 10:52PM on 12-30-2006
the link's down...any mirrors?
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Matt said 2:32AM on 1-13-2007
I rummaged around in that site and found were it moved to.
http://www.beatnikpad.com/archives/2007/01/06/firefox-2001
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