GUI...Visuals Feedback

[nms808]

I came in on (Windows) version Alpha build - 1.0.0-a.39 (2024-09-09). Themes were working great, mostly displaying the same as on Firefox until version Alpha build - 1.0.1-a.2 (2024-09-17) when the active tab lost it's color and became gray/grey. Also the hover color no longer works on that active tab but everything else lights up. Only the sidebar picks up the original Firefox theme toolbar colors. The top toolbar always remains gray/grey when it should change also. Perhaps a design choice?

For now I went back to Alpha build - 1.0.1-a.1 (2024-09-16) as I find this has the best adherence to original Firefox theme colors, GUI layout, and, Zen Store plugin options. In compact mode, the sidebar lines up unbroken with the Windows start button, very nice visually. The Zen Store plugins all work well with 1.0.1-a.1 and a.2. Found one small issue with the compact bar in Private Mode. It should just show a private icon but is text instead, which is cut short.

I just tested Alpha build - 1.0.1-a.4 (2024-09-23) and things are a bit wonky now. Also not crazy about the new design choices other than being able to freely move the icons from top to sidebar. However, because of that, and previous to 1.0.1-a.4 and possibly a.3, I could have the bookmarks icon with pull down menu on the top bar and then also one on the side bar which would pull out a panel. It was nice to have both options available simultaneously. Can't do that now. Most Zen Store plugin visual tweaks are fully or partially broken. There is also the DRM issue but I find there is actually a lot of streams I can view without problems and when I run into the issue I can just pop open another browser so not really a deal breaker for me.

I'm really excited about this browser, it's very nice to look at, functions well, and I love Gecko! I also use Edge, Firefox, Opera GX, SlimJet, Tor, Vivaldi, and now Zen which I have been enjoying as my new daily driver. I would also like to advocate for pure black as an addition to the built in Zen start page wallpaper colors. It seems strangely absent. Posting a few snips of the visuals including some of the things I've mentioned, the last photo of the theme I'm using and what it looks like on Firefox:

I opened this GitHub account just for Zen. You're doing great work and a public service, there is too much Chrome. Thank you!

[nms808]

Testing [Alpha build - 1.0.1-a.5 (2024-09-24)

Found the panel icon for Bookmarks, problem solved, however the icon looks the same as the regular side panel icon. I found the SuperGradient Zen extension which allowed me to return the hover colors back to my liking. Another problem solved. I prefer not to have an icon before the back and forward arrows but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis XX! So I moved the download icon to that position. I can live with that. Latest version working smoothly so far. Great work!