Global Private Browsing: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 23: | Line 23: | ||
Here are some conceptual mockups: | Here are some conceptual mockups: | ||
* Black Location Bar | * Black Location Bar [http://people.mozilla.com/~faaborg/files/20070515-privateBrowsing/stealthBar.jpg Full Mockup] | ||
http://people.mozilla.com/~faaborg/files/20070515-privateBrowsing/stealthBarSmall.jpg | |||
* Full Theme Change [http://people.mozilla.com/~faaborg/files/20070515-privateBrowsing/stealthMode.jpg Full Mockup] | * Full Theme Change [http://people.mozilla.com/~faaborg/files/20070515-privateBrowsing/stealthMode.jpg Full Mockup] | ||
http://people.mozilla.com/~faaborg/files/20070515-privateBrowsing/stealthModeSmall.jpg | http://people.mozilla.com/~faaborg/files/20070515-privateBrowsing/stealthModeSmall.jpg | ||
| Line 41: | Line 39: | ||
[TBD] | [TBD] | ||
Options: | |||
* [easy] Create a temporary profile, destroy it on exit | |||
* [hard] Modify every part of the code where we write to disk | |||
Revision as of 03:12, 16 May 2007
Introduction
The purpose of private browsing is to put Firefox into a temporary state where no information about the user's browsing session is stored locally. Firefox currently handles the user's privacy with a feature in preferences to clear all private data. This feature forces the user to choose between having privacy (even if only momentary), and other useful features like browsing history, and saved passwords. Users should be able to go "off the record", they shouldn't have to shoot the reporter.
Use Cases
Many people believe that the primary use case for private browsing mode is viewing pornography. While viewing pornography may be a popular use case due to the nature of content on the Web, assuming that this is the only reason that users need private browsing trivializes the overall feature. For instance, users may wish to begin a private browsing session to research a medical condition, or plan a surprise vacation or birthday party for a loved one. Use cases will range from users cheating on their spouse, to users buying engagement rings. Given the breadth of our user base, specific use cases are likely to be extremely varied.
User Interface
Entering Private Browsing
A private browsing session should be initiated with a menu item named "Begin Private Browsing" above "Clear Private Data" in the Tools menu. This option can either change the currently running instance of Firefox, create a new window, or create an entirely new instance of Firefox depending on how this feature is implemented.
Making Sure the User has the Correct Mental Model
Directly after entering private browsing mode, a dialog box or notification should display, clearly explaining the scope of this feature. It is very important that the user understands that this feature enables local privacy on their machine, but that their ISP, corporation, or government will still be able to monitor their activities online. We don't want to have whistle blowers fired or dissidents jailed on account of bad UI. We may also want to consider not shipping this feature in certain regions where misunderstandings over the scope of this feature could have serious ramifications for the user.
Theme Change
When Firefox is in private browsing mode, the theme should change so that users can tell that they are in private browsing mode using their peripheral vision. This change in visual appearance could range from turning the location bar black, to the entire browser window.
Here are some conceptual mockups:
- Black Location Bar Full Mockup
- Full Theme Change Full Mockup
Existing Firefox Extensions
Implementation
[TBD]
Options:
- [easy] Create a temporary profile, destroy it on exit
- [hard] Modify every part of the code where we write to disk