Binary package hint: firefox
I am filing this bug as part of the Feature Freeze exception process[1]. Currently, when you start Firefox the first tab opens with a search page (on the belief that search is one of the most common use cases in this scenario). However, when opening a new tab, the tab opens a blank page.
A common use can in opening a new tab is also that users will search, and we could display the same search page in the new tabs. There could also be a user preference, to allow the user to change this if they prefer the blank page to the "quick search" page [2].
This has been implemented and is available for testing[3]. It did not land in time for Feature Freeze because (a) it was a late-blooming idea, and (b) we're still coordinating with Mozilla.
The technical risk involved in the change is low. There will be additional testing required around the new preference option, and the specific use case of opening new tabs. There remains some procedural risk, as we need to discuss further with Mozilla. So while testing can occur in the PPA, I don't think we should land the change until all parties are satisfied.
A related issue (but not being proposed for Feature Freeze exception) is bug# 331575.
[1] https://wiki.ubuntu.com/FreezeExceptionProcess
[2] http://people.ubuntu.com/~asac/screens_newtab/Preferences.png
[3] http://launchpad.net/~asac/+archive
In general I'm fine with this, so relelase team ack. However, this ack is only valid until user interface freeze, since this should really land ASAP.
How does this relate to translations? If we don't get translations for all languages supported by Firefox, will the string just appear in English or will it break completely? (since Firefox' translation system is quite unique, I don't know whether it is a robust fallback mechanism).