Web Site Updates
Contents
Background
Every time we do a Firefox/Thunderbird release, we need to update the mozilla.org web site in several places. In addition to this, with the new Software Update Service in Firefox 1.5, we now have additional documentation requirements as the Update UI has several links that refer to the website.
Note: Every time I say the word "Firefox" here you can also assume "Thunderbird" for its pages.
Copy Review
Have all significant copy changes reviewed by Chris Beard (cbeard mozilla org) and Ben Goodger (ben mozilla org).
Pages
VARIABLES
Update the variables file to include the new release names, download URLs, file sizes, etc.
Announcements
Have a press release/news announcement put together and pushed to the Mozilla news feed.
Front Page
mozilla.org
The following modifications should be made to the front page in each of the following release conditions:
Alpha | Add the newest alpha release to the "Other Mozilla Software" box at the bottom right |
Beta | Add the newest beta in small text to the "Download Now" box at the top of the page (or some similar, equally visible construct) |
Final | Replace the content box at the top of the page with new product graphics, copy, etc. Remove any beta links. The download links should be updated automatically from VARIABLES |
Final also includes security updates, although these generally do not include changes to copy or graphics, just updates to VARIABLES and as such no maintenance to the front page is usually required.
Product Page
mozilla.org/products/firefox
The following modifications should be made to the product page in each of the following release conditions:
Alpha | Nothing |
Beta | Add the newest beta in small text to the "Download Now" box at the top of the page (or some similar, equally visible construct) |
Final | Replace the content box at the top of the page with new product graphics, copy, etc. Remove any beta links. The download links should be updated automatically from VARIABLES. Update the content of the page to reflect any major new features that are new in this release that the user should know about. |
Linked to from:
- getfirefox.com
System Requirements
mozilla.org/products/firefox/system-requirements
Check to see if system requirements have been affected by changes made during the release cycle and update this page. This happens more frequently than you might think, e.g. dropping support for OS X 10.1, etc.
All Languages and Systems
mozilla.org/products/firefox/all
You will have to update the JavaScript data structures on this page for the new version numbers, as well as any new languages that may be present. This is a little complicated so take your time and test carefully.
Release Notes
mozilla.org/products/firefox/releases/#.#/
In Firefox 1.0.x, the release notes page is a single document with multiple sections. For Firefox 1.5 and on, the release notes page should be broken up into individual documents covering these topics:
- Main Release Notes Page
Linked to from: Help Menu
- What's New in This Release
Linked to from: First run page after update, Details link in Software Update screens.
- Downloading and Installing
- Uninstalling
- Profile Folder
- Extensions and Thems
- Known Issues
- Troubleshooting
- FAQ
- Contributed Builds
- Other Resources & Links
This must be done since elements of the Software Update Service may wish to link to individual pages within this cluster of documents and not load the remainder.
The What's New page should be updated with new features, bug fixes etc in this update. Check to make sure that the Downloading, Installing and Uninstalling information is still correct. Check the list of Known Issues to make sure that issues listed have not been fixed by this update, and that there are no new Known Issues. Check to see that Troubleshooting advice is still accurate. Update FAQ with new questions likely to be asked and list any new contributed builds.