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Why does firefox hide most settings? (lemmy.world)
submitted 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) by Unknown1234_5@lemmy.world to c/firefox@lemmy.world
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I recently started using firefox and was very frustrated with how large the UI was, how it autofilled entire URLs while i was trying to search something, and how it changed my system's titlebar buttons (minimize, maximize, close) to windows ones when I changed the theme from the default. I just found out about about:config and was able to solve every major issue i had with firefox literally within minutes, so why do they hide most of the settings?

it makes way more sense to just put the settings in the settings menu. also, why hide the compact density option? on a 1920x1080 display the default is about an eighth of my screen, my taskbar is only like 60% of that. having tried a couple of firefox-based browsers, i can confidently say the only thing any of them do better (aside from telemetry that can be easily turned off) is their settings. why does firefox hide most of the settings?

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[-] halcyoncmdr@lemmy.world 7 points 3 weeks ago

Hey, there are those of us that work in IT Support and know EXACTLY where the average user ends. It's just about the capabilities and reading comprehension of a 5th grader.

[-] SpikesOtherDog@ani.social 3 points 3 weeks ago

Start button, where's that?

[-] halcyoncmdr@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago

To be fair... it used to literally say START on it. Now there's no indication whatsoever of that.

[-] CrayonRosary@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago

What's a button?

[-] SpikesOtherDog@ani.social 1 points 3 weeks ago

What's a computer?

[-] almar_quigley@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago

That’s fair. I run IT Support and understand this. And at the same time the folks in finance are saying the same shit about our comprehension of basic accounting principles and business needs. Just calling out there’s always perspectives.

[-] Jarix@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

I wonder if age is a better indicator than grade. I've been using Firefox since before navigator 1.2 and won't be surprised if today's 5th graders can manage tech in circles around me.

I grew up with grandparents that couldn't figure out how to press one button on the vcr to turn the tv back on. That button was labelled "TV-Video"

I dont have any young people in my life so i don't know what old person things i do, but like Grampa Simpson said, it will happen to me, and I have no doubt about it already happening to me

Bonus* I'm still so happy that i discovered on my own that i can swipe left and right on the space bar button to move my cursor left and right on my android phone. That simple thing helped me out and satisfies in in a cat who caught the canary kind of way and I'm sure there are dozens of things that would improve my ability to use and navigate new tech just as much that any 5th grader could probably show me

[-] halcyoncmdr@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago

Young people now have issues with full computers. They've grown up on iOS and Android, and they expect touchscreens and that type of interface.

Windows, OSX, and Linux are too complicated in comparison. Double clicking and right clicking aren't concepts on mobile interfaces. They're used to tapping or just holding on an icon.

They can learn easier sure, but the knowledge they have doesnt directly translate as well as you'd think.

[-] Jarix@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago

They've grown up on iOS and Android, and they expect touchscreens and that type of interface.

Not sure why you are explaining what i said to me again in a different way, but thats pretty much what the bulk of what i rambled was about

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[-] ghen@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 weeks ago

If anything, the public facing settings menu is already too much for them.

this post was submitted on 01 Dec 2024
38 points (78.8% liked)

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