Three new features are now available to Windows 7 users of the new beta release of Firefox. Firefox 3.6 beta 1 introduces enhanced previews for both the new Windows 7 taskbar and the tabs.
The taskbar previews for tabs brings Firefox into parity with Internet Explorer 8, allowing users to see and select their open tabs via Aero Peek. The obvious limitation with this feature is how it impacts the display when you've got a high number of tabs open. As you open more tabs, their preview panes will shrink.
Firefox 3.6 beta 1 will show individual preview windows for each tab on the Windows 7 taskbar.
(Credit: Screenshot by Seth Rosenblatt/CNET)While the taskbar preview will work without manually changing settings in about:config, the others will require a bit of fiddling. As such, they're not recommended for new users, or for those who just aren't comfortable tweaking the about:config.
The enhanced Control + Tab will now show you a preview window of your tabs, as long as you have three or more tabs open. To activate it, go to about:config, search for browser.ctrlTab.previews, and double-click on it to change it from False to True. Then restart Firefox, and the CTRL+Tab hot key will give you Aero-style preview pane of your tabs.
A revision to the List All Tabs feature gives it a visual component mimicking CTRL+Tab. Using Control + Shift + Tab combo, you can pull up a CTRL+Tab tab preview window that includes a search box. As you type in the name of the tab you want to call up, it will filter the tabs. Enter or the left mouse button will take you directly to the tab. To activate this one, go to about:config, search for browser.allTab.previews, and double-click on it to change it from False to True. Then restart Firefox.
The new Firefox beta can search your tabs on the fly.
(Credit: Screenshot by Seth Rosenblatt/CNET)You can disable the Windows 7 taskbar preview by going to about:config, search for browser.taskbar.previews.enable, and double-click on it to change it from True to False.
As this is a beta, be prepared for Firefox to break compatibility with many add-ons. In my test, All-in-One Sidebar wasn't compatible, even after doing the stability-reducing version compatibility override. Also notice that the visual component to the tabs previews within Firefox don't appear to be fully baked.
[h/t Lifehacker]
Introduced for Vista, the translucent Aero skin has been heavily developed and expanded in Windows 7. See what this key design and interface feature looks like and behaves like in the new operating system.
Windows 7 is more than Vista done right, but you can't deny that it's based on Microsoft's embattled operating system. Despite improvements made over two service packs, users never took to Windows Vista.
Although the Windows 7 release candidate is still available for consumers to try out, the final version of Windows 7 aims to fix both perceived and real flaws from its predecessor. The appeal of the new interface is undeniable, and should compete well against Apple's OS X, but even with modern features like native touch-screen support does Windows 7 actually best XP? Read the full review and find out.
Although the look of Windows 7 may seem to be nothing more than some polish and elbow grease applied liberally to the Vista Aero theme, make no mistake: this is a full replacement operating system, and more than just "Vista done right." From driver support to multitouch groundwork for the future, from better battery management to the most user-friendly interface Microsoft has ever had, Windows 7 is hardly half-baked.
Check out the CNET First Take on Windows 7, and our product spotlight video on the left, for in-depth analysis of what you can expect in Microsoft's latest operating system.
This handy pair of executables adds muscle to the monitor's power-off function. WinFlog's small multitabbed interface offers four easily invoked functions. WinFlogTurnOff's executable needs no interface as the application simply and immediately turns off the monitor.
Operating WinFlog is very easy, especially for XP users. The program's primary tab lists two options to add a Turn Off Monitor option to the My Computer Icon right-click menu and to the desktop right-click menu. The functions are just as easily removed from the menus using single-click buttons on the same tab. The program's second tab uses a similar set of buttons to add Turn Off Aero and Turn On Aero options to the My Computer icon's right-click menu. Only Vista users will benefit from this option.
Both freeware executables offer useful monitor control functions for any level user.
(Credit:
CNET Networks)
We've looked at and reviewed Windows and Firefox themes before at CNET Download.com, but after getting a new computer at home, I figured it was time to revisit new themes. Though a Firefox theme is hardly a must-have Killer Download, I would argue a working (or nonworking) environment in which you feel comfortable makes all your computing more enjoyable. Once I got the new system online, along with my usual security downloads and other useful utilities, I decided a little browser customization was in order.
Most of my regular computing at home including e-mail, writing, and other work-related stuff is done on my Mac. Since I designed my Windows machine from the ground up for gaming, it seemed fitting to me I would give it a gaming feel when it came to themes. Many gaming sites, including our very own GameSpot, have a darker-themed look to set off the graphics of the hottest new games. That's why I decided to cross over to the dark side when it came to choosing my Firefox themes. I should note dark themes are not for everyone, so only download these if you like the dark look.
Here are a few of my favorite dark themes so far, but I'm hoping readers will add more in the comments so we can all check them out. As with most Firefox themes, these themes are easy to install. After downloading, simply drag the .JAR file onto Firefox's theme dialog, select "Use theme", and restart your browser. You're new look should load right up.
I like the glassy buttons, but I would like it better if the sidebar shared in the darkness.
(Credit: CNET Networks)Aquatint Black is a dark grayish theme with glossy blue interface buttons. I like the look of this one mostly, but it does something weird with the graphics in my All-in-one Sidebar Firefox extension. Maybe this is an All-in-one Sidebar specific problem, but it also leaves all my bookmarks a much lighter color. All pull-down menus are the same dark gray color with a glossy-blue highlight running down the left side. If you're not sure about having a dark theme, this is the lightest of this group so you'll know immediately if it's your cup of tea.
The crisp colors of the icons look great on the dark interface.
(Credit: CNET Networks)Aero Fox does a great job of emulating the look and feel of Vista. Though Vista hasn't really caught on for a lot of Windows users, the glossy buttons in Aero Fox contrast perfectly with the darker overall theme. The glass-like quality of the interface looks great. They left the pull-down menus a pleasing dark gray (without the gloss) for better readability. Even if you're not a Vista user yet, this theme is definitely worthy of a look.
The darkest theme of this group has a really clean look.
(Credit: CNET Networks)NASA Night Launch is probably the darkest theme of the group, but it's also my favorite. The flat buttons look great on the dark interface, and a few other extras make it a nice-looking choice. As you load Web pages, you're treated to an animation of the Space Shuttle taking off in the throbber on the upper right. Window backgrounds include a larger picture of a night launch as well. Though the shuttle pictures are a little hokey, I like the overall theme the best out of this group.
If you're looking for a dark Windows theme to complete the look, try the Zune Theme we reviewed recently in the Daily Download. Got a dark theme for Firefox or Windows you like better? Let me know so I can check it out!
(Credit:
Microsoft)
Whether you want to use Microsoft's new Windows Vista operating system or not, you're almost certainly going to get it if you buy a new Windows laptop. While reviews of Vista have been mixed, one thing is certain: some of Vista's features, such as the Aero interface and Windows Sidebar, can suck the life out of a laptop battery in no time. In particular, the Aero Glass interface has shown to be a major energy drain.
Luckily for new Vista laptop users, open-source software from Tamir Khason can help considerably. Titled Vista Battery Saver, the little 900K application determines whether you're using battery power and how much is left, then it turns the Aero user interface and the Windows Sidebar off or on, depending on your settings.
You can select specific power-plan management settings for whenever you are using an AC source or battery power, and specify that Vista Battery Saver send you an alert every time it makes a change to the Windows Sidebar or Aero interface. Simple percentage sliders let you determine what battery-power limit will switch off Aero and the Windows Sidebar, and a check box at the bottom specifies whether Vista Battery Saver should start when Windows does.
The Vista Battery Saver demonstrates the power of community development once again. Leave it to an independent programmer to come up with an elegant, efficient, and open-source solution to one of the most glaring problems in Microsoft's new operating system.
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