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Amiga News and Community Announcements => Amiga News and Community Announcements => Amiga Software News => Topic started by: Argo on March 28, 2011, 05:00:05 PM
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Note: Since this blog is a channel for OS4 developers to tell about their projects, I think it's a good idea to post something about Timberwolf here, even though it's not related to Hyperion Entertainment or a specific AmigaOS development.
I think it's safe to say that Timberwolf (i.e. the port of Firefox to AmigaOS) is an important project for AmigaOS 4, since today, a system that wants to be taken seriously will have to have Firefox in it's software repertoire. A lot of people argue that OWB fills in the gap of a modern web browser and think that we should rather concentrate on that and ditch Firefox. However, the Mozilla software is more than a web browser. It's technology. It offers a platform independent way of writing applications, and AmigaOS can very much profit from all the developments going on in the Mozilla community.
As a web browser, Firefox is cutting edge technology, offering things like html5 and WebGL, In fact, Firefox has become part of the definition of the World Wide Web, driving it's development. It's importance in that respect matches or surpasses any other browser. It is also still actively developed by a large group of individuals.
As a technology, Mozilla allows the creation of applications that run on a variety of platforms. One such application is, for example, Thunderbird, an email client that also became the de-facto standard on most systems.
So, what about Timberwolf ? After the release of the early alpha preview last year, we've been working on getting the source code updated to the new version of Firefox, 4.0. Early versions (up to beta 6) produced rendering errors within the box layout on Windows (I didn't test the Linux version at that time). Therefore, we decided to wait until a version came out that would at least render correctly (since that is basically what we would have to implement ourselves). When beta 7 came out, the layout seemed correct, so we started with the Firefox 4.0b7 source code and applied our code changes to it.
This weekend, I got 4.0b7 to fully compile, although the implementation of the rendering code is still a stub. Since the final release version of Firefox 4.0 came out just recently, we decided to try to update from 40.b7 to 4.0 final. The update worked quite well, although a few kinks need to be ironed out.
This means we now have all the code that will make up the final release of Timberwolf. In the coming days (time permitting) we will start the implementation of the actual rendering engine. We're not able to give time estimates, but I would guess that we will be able to come up with the next preview version sometime in early summer.
For more information about Porject Timberwolf (including screenshots and updates on the progress), visit the page on AmigaBounty.
http://blog.hyperion-entertainment.biz/?p=292
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The bro's always said that they were waiting for FireFox 4.o to come out to complete TimberWolf so Yes much awaited great news:banana::D:pint:
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Thanks for the update.
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a system that wants to be taken seriously will have to have Firefox in it's software repertoire
Interesting statement, I have to say.
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What is their official position on releasing the source to their port?
Is it going to stay closed or will they open it so others can use their work as a base for 3.x/AROS/MorphOS ports?
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Personally I think the importance/usage of Firefox is somewhat overstated/over-estimated by this little write up. Sure, it's probably the 2nd most widely used browser around, but its numbers are dropping while Chrome's are rising. Additionally Thunderbird becoming a defacto standard ? What a crock.
Seriously, was this write up written by someone from Hyperion ? It reads more like an attempt to sell something to people than anything else (I dont mean literal currency for exchange for goods/services selling before someone harks up about my choice of words).
The vast majority of people just want something they can browse with and maybe watch online videos/youtube with. Flash is obviously a biggish thing as well for a lot of people, but not really an option for any alternative systems.
edit: good luck to those involved/interested still though.
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Personally I think the importance/usage of Firefox is somewhat overstated/over-estimated by this little write up.
I've been using Firefox on my PC's since it's inception and absolutely love it so TimberWolf coming to my favourite OS is of the upmost importance to me as an AmigaOS user today :drink:
(oh & of course glUAE which allows me to run all my favourite classic 68k apps/games seamlessly under OS4.x:))
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Unless I am missing something having firefox/timberwolf will not bring flash to the Amiga range of OSes
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Unless I am missing something having firefox/timberwolf will not bring flash to the Amiga range of OSes
You didn't miss a thing. It won't bring flash to OS4.
MorphOS OWB on the other hand has the best flash implementation so far, but even that leaves a lot to be desired (it's flash8 or so).
And yes I have to agree the post has some rather silly statements in it.
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Not unless someone writes a plug-in. From what I understand, Flash on any Amiga flavor isn't the best nor up-to-date.
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Not unless someone writes a plug-in. From what I understand, Flash on any Amiga flavor isn't the best nor up-to-date.
from what I've heard the gnash plugin works but is really slow on current OS4 hardware (prior to Sam460)..hopefully it will be useable on the X1000!
anyone here with a 460ex try out the gnash plugin?
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If Mr. Jobs has his way Flash is on the way out anyway. It eould bring new meaning to "Flash in the Pan".
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What is their official position on releasing the source to their port?
Is it going to stay closed or will they open it so others can use their work as a base for 3.x/AROS/MorphOS ports?
Good question, but I think you are asking for a miracle.
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The first paragraph is a pure advertisement. It is also worth noting that Friedens seem to admit that they have given up with developing any AmigaOS 4 unique technology. The last sentence about browser based applications is a meaningful hint, as well as Qt porting efforts. I wish them luck, but it is not my way, I will stay on the blue route.
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Argo
Timberwolf news finally is a good sign in amigaland! :)
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a system that wants to be taken seriously will have to have Firefox in it's software repertoire.
Webkit (Apple's Safari, Google's Chrome, MorphOS OWB, etc, etc) is faster, leaner, less bulky and bloated. Webkit is the one pushing the envelope today, IMHO...
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Good question, but I think you are asking for a miracle.
One has to question the integrity of those who use the hard work of others for their own personal gain without contributing back their own changes.
Just because one can, doesn't mean one should.
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Unless I am missing something having firefox/timberwolf will not bring flash to the Amiga range of OSes
Just like it wont bring you OpenOffice, MS Office... etc.
Flash is not a part of FF
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I was commenting kinda of on a previous comment about flash
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Just like it wont bring you OpenOffice, MS Office... etc.
Well you do get Online MS Office (http://www.amiga.org/forums/showpost.php?p=625661&postcount=26) via Office Web Apps (https://office.microsoft.com/en-us/web-apps/).
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5182/5570784080_d9d058f37e_m.jpg) (http://www.amiga.org/forums/showpost.php?p=625661&postcount=26)
;)
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Opera!
Even if most times I have to use Firefox because my PC doesn't have internet access right now (using someone else's...), I still remember how faster and innovative Opera was 2 years ago. Hope development continues, eventhough, with big companies knowing the importance of browsers for marketing it probably won't happen.
Opera for Amiga would be so much cooler;)
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I've pretty much given up on Firefox, too slow and buggy, I prefer Chrome.
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I'm a little confused here. If Timberwolf won't have flash support, what are the big advantages over OWB?
I do like Firefox's restore session function, but outside that, I can't think of anything else I miss from other browsers.
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I'm a little confused here. If Timberwolf won't have flash support, what are the big advantages over OWB?
I do like Firefox's restore session function, but outside that, I can't think of anything else I miss from other browsers.
OWB-MUI can restore sessions though I find it working better in FF.
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OWB-MUI can restore sessions though I find it working better in FF.
On the other hand, you can also restore/save session files anytime in OWB (project -> load/save session or F9/F10 hotkey).
One thing the session stuff doesn't store currently is the backhistory information and form state for each browser (but it could be possible to handle in theory, i was just a bit lazy).
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I agree Firefox is slooooow these days.
The new version is faster with its hardware asasisted rendering, but still takes an age to load.
I have been using chrome for sometime now as its sooooo fast and very stable these days.
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Flash is a pig.
HTML5 kills the need for Flash.
HTML5 is going to be the new standard rather than the every other week update that Flash requires. So annoying...
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I'm a little confused here. If Timberwolf won't have flash support, what are the big advantages over OWB?
I do like Firefox's restore session function, but outside that, I can't think of anything else I miss from other browsers.
The huge add-ons repository is the only thing I can think of.
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Firefox lives pretty much on momentum these days, people use it because it's familiar and been around for so long. Most people who try Chrome never go back to Firefox.
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On the other hand, you can also restore/save session files anytime in OWB (project -> load/save session or F9/F10 hotkey).
One thing the session stuff doesn't store currently is the backhistory information and form state for each browser (but it could be possible to handle in theory, i was just a bit lazy).
Thanks Fab,
I'll start saving sessions before I shut down. Damned useful tip. Backhistory isn't that important (although it would be nice).
And that about completes my wish list.
After all, I've seen Flash performance on an Apple, and I'm not sure that any OS is ever going to see Flash done as well as it was for PCs.
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Never mind flash v html5.
Enjoy WebGL: http://fractal.io
Ok, so technically WebGL uses the HTML5 canvas tag, but only as a surface.
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I was commenting kinda of on a previous comment about flash
I suspect you mean something I said, however I think you may have misread it as what I said was, "Flash is obviously a biggish thing as well for a lot of people, but not really an option for any alternative systems." (ie. Im actually saying that Firefox wont bring flash)
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Firefox lives pretty much on momentum these days, people use it because it's familiar and been around for so long. Most people who try Chrome never go back to Firefox.
I happily use both.
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Thanks Fab,
I'll start saving sessions before I shut down. Damned useful tip. Backhistory isn't that important (although it would be nice).
You don't have to do it manually, by the way. Just go to settings -> privacy, check "save session" and uncheck "delete session at exit". That way, you'll get a requester at startup asking to restore previous session (after a proper exit *and* also after a crash/unproper exit).
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You don't have to do it manually, by the way. Just go to settings -> privacy, check "save session" and uncheck "delete session at exit". That way, you'll get a requester at startup asking to restore previous session (after a proper exit *and* also after a crash/unproper exit).
Even better. That behavior would be more in line with what I'm used to under Firefox (which btw crashes more often than MOS OWB).
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I love not having Flash on AmigaOS, screw those Ads.
:)
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I suspect you mean something I said, however I think you may have misread it as what I said was, "Flash is obviously a biggish thing as well for a lot of people, but not really an option for any alternative systems." (ie. Im actually saying that Firefox wont bring flash)
Then i was just backing up your statement :)
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I happily use both.
Yes, but most people also make up statistics on the spot to support their argument. ;)
I've actually gone back to Firefox myself since v4 was at RC, but still use Chrome for some things too.
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I love not having Flash on AmigaOS, screw those Ads.
:)
You don't use an ad blocker?