To: mailto:mozilla-general@DOMAIN.HIDDEN, mailto:mozilla-documentation@DOMAIN.HIDDEN
Subject: Mozilla Release FAQ (Release 22 April 1998 v1)
From: Pat Gunn
Date: Wed, 22 Apr 1998 02:44:09 -0400
Followup-to: netscape.public.mozilla.documentation
Newsgroups: netscape.public.mozilla.general, netscape.public.mozilla.documentation
Organization: None
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Mozilla Release FAQ
Release 22 April 1998 (version 1 of the day)
Distribution: This document may be distributed and modified freely.
No guarantee of factuality in this FAQ is made, and it is maintained
by Pat Gunn , who is not affiliated with Netscape.
Various other people have contributed to this FAQ in one form or
another. A recent version is kept at http://junior.apk.net/~qc/dok/mozilla_faq
* Special note: The next version will be reordered and
* renumbered (within sections) to put questions that are
* logically together together.
Sections:
1) General Questions about the Mozilla Project
2) Building Mozilla
3) Features, Patches
4) Teams
5) Meta-information
--- Section 1: General Questions about the Mozilla Project ---
1.1) What is Mozilla?
Mozilla is the name for a cousin to Netscape Communicator that is being
developed by the Free Software Community with the cooperation and
support of Netscape.
1.2) On what is Mozilla based?
Mozilla is based on a very early version of Netscape Communicator 5.0
with all of the code that Netscape is unable to release due to license
or export restrictions removed.
1.3) When was Mozilla released?
The first release of Mozilla was on 31 March 1998.
The second release of Mozilla was on 9 April 1998
1.4) What is the current version of Mozilla?
The particular naming system used by Mozilla is not yet determined.
Until it is decided, it would probably be best to refer to the current
version of Mozilla as the April 9th release.
1.5) Who is working on Mozilla?
Several Netscape engineers, as well as plenty of people who have
no affiliation with Netscape. You too can work on Mozilla, provided
you have some necesary skills and software.
See section 4 for details.
1.6) What resources are available to the Mozilla community?
Webpages:
http://www.mozilla.org
http://devedge.netscape.com
http://www.openscape.org
http://www.jipes.com/mozilla/
http://home.netscape.com/comprod/products/communicator/future/
http://mozilla.alsutton.com/
http://mozilla-crypto.ssleay.org/
http://prometheus.frii.com/~gnat/mrm/
http://mozilla.globalwave.com
http://mozilla-contest.hungry.com/
http://progressive-comp.com/Lists/ (Archive of moz newsgroups)
http://www.troll.no/qtscape/
http://contributor.devel.org/
http://www.lizardfx.org/
http://www.trailerpark.com/phase1/arielb/netscape/
IRC:
irc://irc.mozilla.org
Usenet:
news://news.mozilla.org/netscape.public.mozilla.*
(Some people receive the newsgroups via a mailing
list. Take this into consideration when posting things)
FTP:
See http://www.mozilla.org/mirrors.html for FTP sites
1.7) Under which license terms was Mozilla released?
Mozilla is released under the NPL (Netscape Public License)
which is in some ways similar to the GNU GPL, and in some
ways similar to a BSD-style license. Take a look at
http://www.mozilla.org/NPL/
for details.
1.8) What's CVS, and what does it have to do with Mozilla?
CVS is a system which is used to synchronize source code
between developers. Mozilla will be using CVS servers to
distribute the code in the future. Check out http://www.cyclic.com/
for more info on CVS.
1.9) Why is the new Mozilla bigger?
The second release of the Mozilla code includes the FrontEnd of
the Mac, Unix, and Windows versions. Earlier versions just included
the FE of the platform you were downloading for.
1.10) What are all these acronyms people are using in the newsgroup?
Here are a few that are specific to the Mozilla newsgroups:
FE = Front End -- The part of Mozilla that handles the interface
BE = Back End -- The part of Mozilla that does all the behind-the-scenes stuff
NSPR = Netscape Portable RunTime -- An abstraction layer over the local OS
--- Section 2: Building Mozilla ---
2.1) I get x error when trying to build Mozilla - what's wrong?
First, make sure that you have the latest release of the Mozilla
source. Secondly, ensure that you have fully read the build
instructions for your platform. These instructions are included
in the source tree, and are also available on the mozilla website:
Unix: http://www.mozilla.org/docs/tplist/catBuild/unxbuild.htm
Win32: http://www.mozilla.org/docs/tplist/catBuild/winbuild.htm
Mac: http://www.mozilla.org/docs/tplist/catBuild/macbuild.htm
Finally, if you can't get far at all into the compilation, you
might not be using GNU make. Grab the latest version of gmake from
ftp://ftp.uu.net/systems/gnu/
Regarding shells, I would like to recommend the following:
If you are using Unix, I recommend using bash-family shells
for the build, because of the better control over
redirection (in case you want to log errors and messages)
If you are using Win32, using the default cmd.exe (as
opposed to 4DOS or 4NT) will probably yield better results.
Regarding compilation options, it would be good NOT to compile with
optimization, because it's much slower, and on Windows
platforms, there's a bug in VC++ that makes Mozilla crash in many
common circumstances if you optimize.
2.2) What platforms have had successful builds so far?
This list will be updated with time, but (according to
netscape.public.mozilla.general) the following platforms
have been built successfully:
Solaris 2.4, 2.5, 2.6
FreeBSD 2.2, 3.0
Linux 2.0, 2.1
MacOS
WinNT 4.0
IRIX 5.3, 6.2, 6.4
Win95 (See 2.7)
FreeBSD 3.0 (see 2.8)
Digital Unix 4.0
NetBSD
OpenBSD
HP/UX 9.05, 10.20
(Note: No OS's that haven't been released will be listed, because
the status of the build might change)
2.3) What do I need to compile on Win32?
You need to go grab the usertools package from
http://www.cygnus.com/misc/gnu-win32/
In addition, you need Microsoft Visual C++ 4.2 or 5.0.
Perl for Windows would be another good thing to get
(see http://www.perl.com)
2.4) What do I need to compile on a Unix system?
You need to have a working compiler (GCC will work), gmake,
Motif libraries (see 2.6 if not), and the X Window system.
2.5) What do I need to compile on a Macintosh system?
You need Codewarrior Pro 2, including some software from the
codewarrior CD:
PowerPlant 1.8, MSL, Makestub-MPW
In addition, you need:
Waste 1.3
ftp://ftp.boingo.com//dan/WASTE/waste-13.hqx
CWaste 1.6
http://www.bact.wisc.edu/CWASTEEdit/CWASTEEdit.sit.hqx
Menu Sharing Toolkit
ftp://ftp.scripting.com/userland/menuSharingToolkit4.1.sit.hqx
Mercutio 1.5 (SDK only)
ftp://ftp.digitalalchemy.com/pub/digitalalchemy/mercutio-SDK.sit.bin
Internet Config 1.4 SDK
ftp://ftp.share.com/pub/internet-configuration/ICProgKit1.4.sit
AEGizmos 1.4.2
http://www.mooseyard.com/Jens/Software/
MacPerl5 MPWTool
ftp://sunsite.cnlab-switch.ch/software/platform/macos/perl/Mac_Perl_519r4_tool.bin
ToolServer
ftp://dev.apple.com/devworld/Tool_Chest/Core_Mac_OS_Tools/MPW_etc./MPW-GM/MPW/ToolServer.sit.hqx
Tool FrontEnd
ftp://dev.apple.com/devworld/Periodicals/develop/develop25/develop_Issue_25_code/ToolFrontEnd.sit.hqx
Patch 2.1
http://sunsite.cnlab-switch.ch/ftp/software/platform/macos/src/HTML/MPW_C.html
2.6) How do I build with Lesstif?
This is still largely a work in progress. However, it would
help to have the latest lesstif. Grab it at
ftp://ftp.hungry.com/pub/hungry/lesstif/lesstif-current.tar.gz
2.7) How do I build with Win95?
The current version of the source should compile on Win95, barring
any other problems
2.8) How do I build with FreeBSD?
Get the patches at http://www.freebsd.org/~eivind/moz_port.tgz
These should eventually make it into the main source distribution.
2.9) I'm *still* having problems getting mozilla to build on my platform!
Take a look at ns/config/your_platform.mk
Platforms that aren't used too often might not have a
fully correct platform-specific makefile. Try to correct anything
that looks like it's causing the error (comment out existing lines,
copy them, and *then* modify). If you're really unlucky, you'll
actually need to step through the build, at each failure correcting
a makefile somewhere or manually building something. IRIX 6.2/GCC
still requires this method of build.
2.10) I'm trying to build Mozilla on an unsupported Unix. What do I do?
Go into ns/config/ and copy the platform that's closest to your
platform in the Unix evolutionary tree to `uname -s`.mk (note the backtics)
Change anything you need to. Do the same thing in ns/nsprpub/config/
In the main source, find other platforms that can't cope with what your
Unix can't cope with, and modify the #ifdefs and similar to include and
exclude what your Unix needs/can't handle. Eventually autoconf might
magically do this kind of stuff for you, but that's some time away.
2.11) What is the *best* way to build on Linux, with regards to stability?
In order:
libc5/Motif 1.2 - Official builds use this
libc5/Motif 2.0 - Has scrolling problems
glibc2/Motif 2.1 - Some scrolling, locale problems
glibc2/Motif 1.2 - Locale problems, not recommended
glibc2/Motif 2.0 - Locale, scrolling problems, not recommended
?/Lesstif - Needs a lot of work
2.12) I'm having problems building on HP/UX. What do I need to do?
Visit http://hpux.csc.liv.ac.uk/hppd/mozilla/patch.html
and grab their patches.
--- Section 3: Features, Patches ---
3.1) What platforms is Mozilla available for?
Mozilla is currently targeted for Win32, Macintosh, and
Unix/X systems. There are efforts underway to port Mozilla to
OS/2, Rhapsody, AmigaOS, and BeOS.
3.2) Where can I get patches?
There is not currently a central repository of patches. This
probably will change sometime. Keep an eye on www.mozilla.org
3.3) What does Mozilla lack that Communicator has?
Mail and News were removed because they were based on proprietary
database software. Java (but not Javascript) was removed because it is
the property of Sun. SSL (secure sockets layer) was removed because of
export restrictions. Netcaster was removed because it relies on Java.
AOL Instant Messenger was removed because it's proprietary to AOL.
Mail and News eventually will be back, with the proprietary portions
removed.
3.4) What does Mozilla have that wasn't in Communicator 4?
Mozilla has the following new features:
A detachable bookmarks menu
XML support
Aurora
3.5) Where can I get a binary?
Mozilla.org does not provide Mozilla binaries. Various people have put
up compiled binaries here and there. Here are a few pointers:
Linux/x86 2.x ELF (req glibc)
http://www.cuc.ml.org/mozilla-static-motif-binary.gz
Linux/x86 2.x ELF (uses the Qt toolkit)
http://www.troll.no/qtscape/download.html
Linux/x86 2.x ELF (uses the Lesstif toolkit)
http://users.loa.com/~apple/mozilla/
Linux/x86 2.x ELF (req Motif 2.0, dynamically linked)
ftp://ftp.wizzy.com/pub/wizzy/mozilla.gz
Win32
http://www.aliweb.com/mozilla/
http://www.globaldom.com/mozilla.htm
http://mozbin32.hypermart.net
MacOS
ftp://azrael.uoregon.edu/pub/mozilla/mac/MozillaPPCDebug.sit.hqx
3.6) On Win32, it fails to build, with the message "'.\WIN32' unexpected"
You didn't properly set the environment variables -- you must not
include a space at the end of the set statements (be careful if
you are cut'n'pasting).
3.7) On Win32, it fails to build, with directory-related errors
The full path to the source must not include any spaces.
Additionally, the source must be extracted with an intact
directory structure by a utility that understands long
filenames. If in doubt, grab Info-Zip at
ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/infozip
3.8) I *really* want the security stuff that was taken out
Check out the http://mozilla-crypto.ssleay.org/ resource, but
note that it may be illegal for you to use it in your
country due to patent laws.
3.9) I *really* want Java
Check out http://www.place.org/~stevemw/java/mozilla-activator/
There's a project there that's working on just that. It's not
yet in a working state, but looks promising. Please join if you're
capable and interested.
3.10) Where are some interesting patches?
Take a look at these URLs:
Fixes blink:
http://www.mds.mdh.se/~dat95pkn/mozilla/
Fixes preferences dialogs, stops composer autostart:
ftp://ftp.dontknow.com/pub/mozilla/
Fixes some Aurora quirks on MacOS:
http://www.arcanasw.com/moz5tech/cflextable4.3.98/
Several little bugfixes:
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Campus/4998/mozilla.html
3.11) How do I tweak the interface (replace the logo, etc)?
See http://www.mozilla.org/docs/refList/user-interface/index.html
for instructions, the files are:
Unix/X: ns/cmd/xfe/icons/anim/Anim{Huge|Sm}XX.gif
Windows: ns\cmd\winfe\res
MacOS: ns:cmd:macfe:rsrc:communicator:Animation.rsrc (Use Resedit)
3.12) I made a patch! How do I submit it?
The current best way to do this is to put it on the web somewhere (preferably
in diff format), and post an URL to it to netscape.public.mozilla.patches
If you can't, just post it to netscape.public.mozilla.patches
Eventually, a better way will appear.
3.13) What's with the icon?
The N logo is only to be present on Netscape's Communicator. This will serve as
a way for an end-user to determine if they have Mozilla or Communicator. The
icon that's distributed in the source is just a sample, and several people have
pages that are collecting proposed replacement icons. See the URLs at the top
to find some. If you've made an icon, submit it there. There is not currently a
newsgroup to post these (which isn't to say that it would be a bad idea to have
one)
--- Section 4: Teams ---
4.1) I want to add X feature to Mozilla. Who do I contact?
First, you should make sure that Mozilla doesn't already have the
feature you wish to add. There have been changes since Communicator
4.0. Check out section 3 for details. Assured that it's not already
there, you should post to the mozilla usenet groups, asking for
helpers. Finally, you should make sure that someone is not already
working on the code you would need to modify to implement your
feature. On www.mozilla.org, there is a list of module 'owners'.
This system ensures that 2 people are not working on the same
part at the same time. Check for for the module owner, and
contact him/her. The specific area that you can find this is at
http://www.mozilla.org/owners.html
4.2) I don't code but want to see feature X added to Mozilla. Who do I contact?
Again, make sure the feature isn't already there. Knowing that,
post something to netscape.public.mozilla.wishlist.
--- Section 5: Meta Information ---
5.1) What changed since the last version?
Updated 1.6, 2.7, 3.3, 5.3, added 3.12, 3.13
5.2) What other versions of this FAQ are out there?
Various other people have decided to take the original of this FAQ
and modify it, usually making a web version. Some of these have
more (or less) information than this FAQ includes.
5.3) Where can I find other versions of the FAQ?
Check out:
http://www.uwasa.fi/~e75644/mozilla/MozFAQ.html
http://www.godin.on.ca/mozilla/mozilla_faq
http://gloppo.hypermart.net/moz-faq.html
[There are more...]
5.4) Does the author mind if I make my own version, HTMLify it, or whatever?
Nope. Go for it. I would suggest you try to keep looking at mine
occasionally, so you can add new things that I do, but you can do whatever
you want to with it.
--
---------------------------------------------------
Pat Gunn, moderator:comp.sys.newton.announce comoderator:comp.os.os2.moderated
"You can always judge a man by the quality of his enemies." -- Dr Who
http://junior.apk.net/~qc
------------------------------------------------
To: mailto:mozilla-general@DOMAIN.HIDDEN
Subject: Comment about the FAQ
From: Pat Gunn
Date: Wed, 22 Apr 1998 02:56:30 -0400
Newsgroups: netscape.public.mozilla.general
Organization: None
References:
Resent-date: Wed, 22 Apr 1998 00:04:07 -0700 (PDT)
Resent-from: mailto:mozilla-general@DOMAIN.HIDDEN
Resent-message-id: <"hiWG8B.A.LaG.GWZP1"@gila.mozilla.org>
Resent-sender: mailto:mozilla-general-request@DOMAIN.HIDDEN
Pat Gunn wrote:
>
> Mozilla Release FAQ
> Release 22 April 1998 (version 1 of the day)
In case anyone's been wondering, I've been posting the FAQ
a little bit less often for 2 reasons:
* Not as much new material is coming in, as the FAQ is becoming
more comprehensive
* I've been busy
Also, I plan to renumber within sections for the next FAQ
version. This is to make things ordered more logically.
For those that've been HTMLifying my FAQ, sorry for the
additional work this will entail.
Finally, here's a list of things (for Netscape) that I think
would be good for the community. I'm sure that you've already
been working on at least some of these, but it's good to be sure.
1) A better means than the patches newsgroup to distribute patches
2) More frequent code drops (Weekly?)
3) CVS servers (I know this is on it's way)
4) A binaries group for distributing icons and logos packaged
for use with Mozilla
5) Be a bit more liberal with newsgroup creation
Some things for the community to do (some are already being done,
I'm sure)
1) Write converters to convert between different animated logo
formats
2) Modify the source to be able to "pick up" the animated logo
at start time, instead of at compile-time.
3) Document fully all of the major subsystems of Mozilla
4) Debug!
5) Improve the use of the POP3 protocol. POP3 is almost as capable
as IMAP, but most clients for POP3 are poor. Improve the
POP3 support to something close to the level of IMAP
support.
6) Make all of the settings, mail, bookmarks, and other similar
stuff packagable (via the menus) into one big portable
file that the user can take around with them
--
---------------------------------------------------
Pat Gunn, moderator:comp.sys.newton.announce
comoderator:comp.os.os2.moderated
"You can always judge a man by the quality of his enemies." -- Dr Who
http://junior.apk.net/~qc
------------------------------------------------
To: mailto:mozilla-general@DOMAIN.HIDDEN
Subject: Re: Comment about the FAQ
From: Jamie Zawinski
Date: Wed, 22 Apr 1998 13:10:19 -0700
Newsgroups: netscape.public.mozilla.general
Organization: The Mystic Knights of Mozilla, http://www.mozilla.org/
References:
Resent-date: Wed, 22 Apr 1998 13:12:05 -0700 (PDT)
Resent-from: mailto:mozilla-general@DOMAIN.HIDDEN
Resent-message-id: <"UTfWB.A.TfB.C7kP1"@gila.mozilla.org>
Resent-sender: mailto:mozilla-general-request@DOMAIN.HIDDEN
Pat Gunn wrote:
>
> Finally, here's a list of things (for Netscape) that I think
> would be good for the community. I'm sure that you've already
> been working on at least some of these, but it's good to be sure.
>
> 1) A better means than the patches newsgroup to distribute patches
Well, the plan is that all of these patches will be incorporated into
the source tree itself -- which you'll then be able to update hourly or
so from CVS.
That leaves a hole only for patches which the module owners didn't
accept for some reason, I think.
> 2) More frequent code drops (Weekly?)
> 3) CVS servers (I know this is on it's way)
We've been discussing how frequent the tarballs should come; I think the
feeling is that once CVS is up, the need for frequent tarballs goes
down. The thing that needs to be answered is, who's the audience of the
tarballs? People who want a known-stable point to build products from?
People who can't use CVS? Or what?
> 4) A binaries group for distributing icons and logos packaged
> for use with Mozilla
I expect that once there are lots of icons around, we'll have a place on
mozilla.org for them. However, I generally think that web pages are a
more efficient way of distributing such things than binary newsgroups
are.
> 5) Be a bit more liberal with newsgroup creation
Can you be more specific?
I think that the reactive group-creation-follows-traffic model has
worked exceptionally well for Usenet, which is why I think we should
do the same thing here.
--
Jamie Zawinski http://people.netscape.com/jwz/ about:jwz