beta 2.0.4.2007.06.26: MacOSx crash/freeze resolved

Mac users pls test the beta and verify that the issue is fixed.

An issue was noticed where-in Firefox froze or crashed when the preferences/options window was opened. This only happens when browser.preferences.animatefadein is set to true (which is the default on Mac). This happened because of some fade-in issues when the preferences box contains scripts which refer to  elements outside the prefpane. refer XUL_FAQ#Troubleshooting_prefwindow-based_options_windows (the second last point.)

The issue (I believe) has been fixed but will only be confirmed and released in the new version if you provide feedback confirming the resolution.

Cheers!

Back with a Beta

Well, it took me time. To take time out of schedule and get back with you all. The feedback for the previous release was hughe and awesome. Thanks to all for that.

We have a new version pending review on AMO. And a new beta (more changed) here.

• People had reported memory leaks, I've fixed all I knew. In case you find any post them here.
• The color were not being saved when random color was chose. Fixed that.
• Advanced options. (Experimental)
  

To do: -

• Find further bugs.
• Fix tab color not saving when manually colored.
• Minor enhancements.
  

Regards

ColorfulTabs v2.0.2 is out.

After quite some delay ColorfulTabs v2.0.2 has been released. As you already must be aware, there are some major enhancements as well as some major bug fixes.

• ColorfulTabs has been modified to fix compatibility issues with Tab Mix plus and Fasterfox.
• ColorfulTabs uses new algorithms to color the tabs.
• There are more customisation options to suite ColorfulTabs to your taste.
• We have included a first-run experience so as to induct users to the changes in the extension and for usage.
  

I'm not sure if I'll have time to keep up with my interest for the next several weeks. I have more on the platter that I can have. Don't forget to comment about the first-run experience. As always, any constructive feedback is welcome.

Regards
Shivanand Sharma

Release? Not yet.

Well, I have seen some good extensions out there and I was wondering if I could initiate a small walkthrough on the first-run of ColorfulTabs. Version 2.1.2007.4.24 is all about that. I hate to admit that I'm not a seasoned programmer. But this is for the fact that I'm a Jack of many trades and master of many others. I'm not a full time programmer but I bet I talk the language when among them. Currently, I'm working on getting http:/colorfultabs.googlepages.com up and running. I'm planning to use this one for the first-run experience.

So... here it is. No bug fixes, or enhancements but an initiative to have a wonderful first-run experience for the customer. After all if you remember, we made a lot of changes. There will be users who want to be walked through the functionality and other's to know what has been updated etc.

It is debatable if all the users really need all this, but from my perception, most of the people who use colorful tabs are the ones who want ease with the tabs. And to know how this works won't hurt. Will it?
Thanks to all n Cheers!!!
Shivanand Sharma

Testers required for release 2.0.2

There have been enough changes,enhancements and bug fixes in the current beta and I believe it's time to block the current beta for testing and release. I invite testers to report: -

1. Standalone functioning: - Does the extension work as expected on a clean firefox profile?
   
2. OS compatibility: Please verify that it works on your favourite operating system i.e. linux, mac, windows etc.
3. Extension compatibility: - Please verify that it works with your favourite extensions.
4. Feedback about performance viz. colors, features etc.
   

For the same you will need to have the debugging preferences set in a clean profile. Please notify me for anything requiring further attention. This is tentatively planned to be submitted for release this weekend.

Regards
Shivanand Sharma

Fixed compatibility with Fasterfox

Please test compatibility with Fasterfox and Tab Mix Plus. I've made some changes and it's working for me now.

Regards
Shivanand Sharma

Compatibility with Tab Mix Plus

Finally... I was able to take time out and step through the code to fix compatibility issues with tab mix plus.

• Tab Mix Plus changes the tab structure entirely.
• The elements we want to change are not there.

So, I went ahead and modified a few lines of code and restructured the entire thing. I tested with Tab Mix Plus 0.3.5.2 and also the Tab Mix Plus Dev-Build 0.3.5.2.070331 at http://tmp.garyr.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6113

Special thanks goes to Leland Whitlock who had the patience and took out the time to debug and send the exact errors he got with Tab Mix Plus and ColorfulTabs working together.

Try this one out. I'm waiting...

--
Yours
Shivanand Sharma
http://varun21.googlepages.com/

A better and colorful session.

Jack: So now ColorfulTabs colors the tab with random colors?
Author: Yes.
Jack: And also depending on the website?
Author: Yes.
Jack: What else.
Author: You are always looking for more.
Jack: You know me. That's how I am.
Author: K. ColorfulTabs not only does the above but also manages the entire colorful session. You can close and reopen the same tab or the entire browser. It coincides with the Firefox's session manager and gives you a better and colorful experience. You can even flag a tab with the color of your choice.
Jack: Wow! That nice! What else...
Author: Grrr...
Jack: ah..
Author: I'll let you choose the color saturation and lightness soon. Maybe even set the tab color for a particular website (domain).
Jack: What next?
Author: Will make the tabs age with time.

• You will recieve update notifications to betas in case you are using the newer beta(s).
  
• What is the aging effect? make tabs fade? making their colors fade? making the tabs disappear with time? Grrr....?
  

Get the beta v2.1.2007.3.20 from the right side.

Yours
Shivanand Sharma

Testers Needed: ColorfulTabs 2.1b

This one was next on my list. We calculate a random color for the tab by the linkedpanel attribute's value and set it up as an hsl color. Also setting the color using URL. Test this, and help me out if possible :)

I need feedback about the colors being generated.
Are they too light?
Are they too different from the old palette?
Are they more/less pleasant?

Aging tabs comes next.

Cheers!
Shivanand Sharma HomePage:- http://varun21.googlepages.com/

ColorfulTabs 2.0 Released

Deal All,

I'm pleased to announce the release of version 2.0 of my popular extension ColorfulTabs. Which you can download from the link here.
Some of the prominent changes:

1) tab fading
2) coloring of individual tabs
3) Enhanced looks
4) Reorganized entire code for better functioning and understanding.

Please feel free to post your opinion and findings. I'm now open to feature requests. (This was long pending :)

Yours
Shivanand Sharma

Release Ready: CTv2.0 Beta 7th March 2k7

Please test the new version. This will be released as it is until new bugs are found.

New: -

• Enhanced Tab Fading.
• Ability to use custom colors for individual tabs.

Bugs: -

• None as of now i.e. works fine on the default firefox.

IF you find bugs, report NOW.

Thanks a bunch.

Regards
Shivanand Sharma

CT Beta release 1st March 2k7: Ability to change tab color

It's pretty buggy and in infancy but I'm sure people would find it convenient to be able to change the color of the tab to their choice. If they don't, the existing palette is used.

• The selected tab coloring/highlighting etc and other effects are quie buggy and will be fixed soon. This one is just to give you a glimpse of what it feels like to be able to change the tab color. A POC (proof-of-concept stage).
• I need a better color palette or a way to chose the colors correctly. Need help and ideas.

Please comment on how you like it. Kindly refrain from posting bugs about selected tab hilighting etc. I'm aware of the issue and have been running short of time bor this beta release. I just got married last week :)

Regards
Shivanand Sharma

Colorfultabs Beta 2.0 Released on Feb 1st 2k7

Here are the change(s) which I can remember : -

• JavaScript code has been commented and documented to enable easy understanding of functioning and code.
• stylesheet has been moved to a different location under directory 'style' for better organisation.
  

Broken: -

• Selected Tab highlighting and Tab Fading

To Do: -

• attempt is on to catch the CSSrules from JavaScript and modify styles ultimately negating the need for a CSS.
• Once this is accomplished, use JavaScript to let users use custom colors for each tab and custom highlighting effects for selected tab.

Please put in your ideas here and feel free to download the beta and toy around with the code.
Regards
Shivanand Sharma
http://varun21.googlepages.com/

Comment on the ColorfulTabs 1.9 bugs here (released on 20 Jan 2k7)

1. The first one I know is to have a better way of highlighting the selected tab. The question is "how". What do you like in this regard?
2. Theme Walnut for Firefox breaks the tab fading. https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/122/
3. Wine Stripe Theme and Colorful Tabs leaves a white border on the tabs (unconfirmed).

Regards
Shivanand Sharma

(30th Dec 2006) version to be released as 1.9 soon without further changes.

Dear All,

As per the feedback I'm planning to release the curent beta (30th Dec 2006) as release version 1.9 official soon.

Actionable: - a) If something is broken please notify now.b) Please provide feedback on Linux/Unix side.

New in this release: -

• This release only has a few changes which primarily affect the currently selected tab. The selected tab has a different shade.
• Support for other OSes will be restored as per the feedback. (Support for only one OS cannot be added as UMO doesn't allow choice of OSes, it can either be one single OS like Win or All OSes).
  

To Do (in the next beta): -

• Collect feedback and implement improvement.
• No new features planned currently till this version is stable for tab style improvements..
  
• all CSS to be modified via javascript code and disable the inbuilt stylesheet.

The release is tentatively planned for weekend and may be available from download by Monday.

Regards
Shivanand Sharma (Varun)

Welcome to the blog: Colorful Tabs

Welcome everyone,

Colorful Tabs is a Firefox extension. For its utility and uniqueness, it is only inevitable that we all want to use it our way. People want to have different settings and different colours, fading levels and functionality. Thus I planned to let us all have the opportunity to download the beta and provide your feedback so that I can make things better.

Regards
Shivanand Sharma