Thoughts on the New Settings Design
The new design makes the settings page more Chrome-like, which may help Chrome users feel more familiar with it.
However, I see it differently. When designing a Settings page, I think the priorities should be focus, readability, accessibility, and ease of use. Here are my thoughts:
- Increasing the number of tabs in the left panel can be a good idea, but only if the settings are grouped logically. I think it would be better to keep all customization-related settings in one place, so users do not need a “Related Settings” section in the Appearance tab. First, I suggest combining Appearance, Tabs and Browsing, and Accessibility with Home and Startup, then renaming the combined section to Home and Appearance. This would place all UI and customization options in one location. Second, I suggest combining Permissions and Data with Privacy and Security. Third, LibreWolf-specific settings should be placed in a separate LibreWolf section. This would make it easier to explain what LibreWolf adds or changes compared with Firefox and would give users a clearer overview of its extra privacy and security features. Otherwise, users may need to install standard Firefox and compare the settings to identify those differences. Some LibreWolf-specific options may relate to UI customization, but those are less important if they are grouped with the other customization settings. Privacy and security features, however, should remain clearly separated. Here is the concept:
The Restore Defaults… option does not appear in the Search tab, even though it existed in the old settings design.
In the old settings design, proxy settings were easy to access. In the new design, they are hidden behind several clicks. I suggest adding a separate Proxy Settings tab, because users may need to quickly toggle proxy settings off and on when troubleshooting VPN disconnection issues. If a separate tab is not desirable, please make proxy settings easier to reach. for example, by placing them directly under the main Privacy and Security section rather than behind Advanced.
