Comments on: Privacy UI

By: Magumi

Magumi — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 01:28:58 +0000

This is all too complicated, in my view, especially when a perfectly functional solution already exists for Firefox – the Distrust extension (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1559)

By: KX

KX — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:57:04 +0000

I agree with Mr. Cabello (#15):
The new symbol does not effectively represent privacy.
I personally think the old symbol (the “do not disturb” sign) would have been fine if a do not enter symbol were added to the face of the sign, as in the Linux version of the symbol (http://people.mozilla.com/~faaborg/files/20080514-firefox3Themes/source/options_linux.png). The current mask is so colourful that it seems to draws attention to itself, which suggests attention more than privacy. If you’re going to use it, make it a neutral colour (gray, for example).

By: leandro

leandro — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 21:16:28 +0000

I really like everything!
congrats, faaborg

By: Percy

Percy — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:41:10 +0000

I think whatever the interface it has to make it clear to the user that it is not about anonimity just privacy, and the mask suggests the former: “while in this mode nobody knows who I am.”

The message should be: “while I am in this mode nobody will know what I did because I won’t live tracks or fingerprints.” So maybe a pair of gloves or a crossed over fingerprint would make a better representation.

Other message could be “while in this mode nobody will see me, I’m stealth”. Like an F117 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-117_Nighthawk, not that recognizable I guess), or a ninja.

For something less dramatic we could use the obvious windows blinds or a door, perhaps the most universally objects associated with privacy (as in nobody will see me).

In any case I don’t think the mask delivers the appropriate message. But if you decide to go with it, could it at least be a cool superhero mask (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Jordan_pacheco.jpg)?

I doubt adding (private browsing) to the title will be enough. Maybe adding the mask as a badge to favicons?

I really like the separation between user generated and app generated data (tracks)!

By: Neil

Neil — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:23:17 +0000

All Mozilla browsers have effectively had a “private” browsing mode all along. Simply create a new profile, browse, then delete when you’re done. I say “simply”; obviously this is easier in the suites as you can access the profile manager from inside the application.

By: Angus Turnbull

Angus Turnbull — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 04:16:04 +0000

Just an idea — as a laptop user I often just suspend/hibernate, it’s rare for me to (willingly) close Firefox.

I know about:config supports it, so why not consider a date-based option for cookie control in the UI? That is, “Keep Cookies for X Days” at most.

By: Fred Wenzel

Fred Wenzel — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 01:05:00 +0000

@Chris (#4): I think you are missing something. By calling it “porn mode”, you’d put “privacy mode” in a corner that it doesn’t belong in. There are many reasons for this feature that are not related to internet pornography, and that can and will legitimately be used by people who have no intention to use the internet for the reasons you suspect. By focusing on only one of these use cases, you lose track of the big picture. Please take a big step back and look again.

By: asdf

asdf — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 22:50:05 +0000

I simply love all of this privacy work. Things would be perfect like this.

By: Fred Wenzel

Fred Wenzel — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 22:40:10 +0000

"I had to load up Safari to research engagement rings" -- being in the same situation just recently, I must confess: I used Safari as well for engagement ring shopping, to make sure the awesomebar doesn't not so awesomely break the news to my now-fiancée before I do.

By: Jesse Ruderman

Jesse Ruderman — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 21:59:10 +0000

I don’t like how the “Firefox should:” option at the top affects the other options. I think the whole idea is confusing and limiting, but I also have some specific complaints. First, the floating italicized “Until I close Firefox” text looks hard to localize. Second, only the cookies options lets you select “until I close Firefox” separately from the other items.

Please don’t move the “Developer” tools off of the main Tools menu. For non-developers, it’s a two-item submenu, which looks silly — and both of the menu items are things non-developers need to use occasionally. For developers, it means going through a submenu to reach commonly used features.