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For six years, the Internet Nexus served as my technology blog, but I've since started blogging at the SuperSite Blog instead. If you're looking for the blog, please head there. --Paul

Tuesday, June 08, 2004

Firefox 0.9 and Themes: Another reason for Apple to Take a Safari to Windows

Inside Firefox: "So Firefox 0.9 is almost ready to go. I expect an RC in the next day or so. We now have a new theme on the Aviary branch (and on the trunk too in a day or so) thanks to the hard work of Stephen Horlander and Kevin Gerich. The transition from the Qute theme has caused quite a stir, and pleas for constructive responses have been widely ignored ..."

As, arguably, have pleas for an explanation about why on earth the Firefox developers would choose to replace the professional-looking Qute theme with the epic crap that is "WinStripe." Bad news, kids: Qute looks better in XP than does WinStripe.

"All I can say to those upset with how this was negotiated is that in a perfect world, things might have been done better, this isn't that world, it is a more complex and interesting dynamic than has been made public, there is no use in crying over spilled milk, so get over it."

Maybe it's time for a leadership change at the Mozilla Foundation. Because, clearly, the way "this was negotiated" is just a symptom of a wider problem.

"Those of you who have attacked Kevin and Stephen should be ashamed of yourselves. Calm down, take a chill pill, or you'll severely limit the likelihood that anyone that matters will listen to you. Say what you will about me, but be constructive about the new theme or kerz and other MozillaZine moderators will lock your accounts. I have disabled comments since I'm not interested in hearing people bellyache any more. We (myself, VDT, marketing, etc) are frankly sick of it."

How's this for constructive? The new theme stinks.

"Good software development is not done by committee, it requires strong leadership and tough decisions."

Agreed. Please step down. And please take with you anyone else that thought this was a good idea.

"Time will tell whether or not this was a good one. I think it was, and expect to be vindicated by the release, and the continual improvement and commitment to excellence that the theme's authors have promised."

Sure, but it can only be improved. In fact, if it's improved dramatically, it could look at lot like Qute. It's not like Mozilla Foundation doesn't have enough real work to do.

This is the second major event in the short history of the Mozilla Foundation that has made me want to walk away from these jerks forever (the first was their childish reaction to the Firebird database project). Again, if I could please beg Apple: Port Safari to Windows, and I guarantee you will surpass the Mozilla userbase within 6 months. It's a market that's just sitting there waiting for you.

[ Posted at 8:33 AM | Permalink ]