New Firebird icon

[Stefan]

I think M would be easier to make look like a wing, actually...

...but is pretty moot since m is not a letter in Browser, but sure is in Mail. Might as well stick with the F then.

Or is the plan to force all standalone GRE utils to use an icon with an M on it?

[djst]

standalone GRE utils to use an icon with an M on it?

I certainly wouldn't think so.

[Arvid Axelsson]

My thoughts on the qualities of an icon, and why mine is better than the current.

Color usage.
What David Tenser said. Well, some red can be fine sometimes but not like it's colored now, for sure.

Descriptiveness.

Please. Nobody looks at a globe and says "Oh! The Internet!"

There's no question a globe is an established concept for the Internet. It may not make anyone say that but it will be helpful when/if Firebird is pre-installed, displayed on a web site, and just to strengthen the positive feelings of the application.

Expression.
The current icon lacks expression on its own and only gains identity as part of the bird picture seen in the about dialog. But that doesn't make it any better. The picture looks somewhat silly and almost no one would expect that the icon is supposed to be a part of a bird, making it seem more like an excuse than anything. A more expressive icon gives a stronger presence.

Logical blend of descriptiveness and identity.

It communicates the F, the idea of flames, and the concept of flight in one symbol. The impression of giving a wing to facilitate navigation around the world is an appropriate comparison to a browser allowing you to travel through the internet.

I previously disliked the name Firebird, but the new icon is the missing link that makes the Firebird name make sense.

I feel that this icon gracefully integrates these two aspects. An example that doesn't do it so well is the new Thunderbird icon.

Complexity.
Low complexity helps recognition.

Consistency with toolbar icons.
A consistent style throughout the application helps giving a professional image.

About the connection to the name.
I'm not sure if the branding guidelines were ever meant to be followed. In any case, Firebird is now an established name and throwing it away just wouldn't be a very smart thing to do. Also, the current icon has an even stronger connection to that name.

If there are plans to hire a professional to make a new icon or something, it's obviously fine. But the one used now is, like I said, not good enough and there's no reason to stay with it.

[jrobbio]

Consistency with toolbar icons.
A consistent style throughout the application helps giving a professional image.

I think the best example of that at the moment is the Macromedia Studio MX icons and consistencies:

About the connection to the name.
I'm not sure if the branding guidelines were ever meant to be followed. In any case, Firebird is now an established name and throwing it away just wouldn't be a very smart thing to do. Also, the current icon has an even stronger connection to that name.

This might sound ridiculous, but I really love the Firebird name and the unique imagery it gives me when thinking about it. Your probably thinking what a nutter, but think about how many devout Firebird fans there already are! Some have gone to the level associated with the Mac cult and you've got to say that is something special. Legal issues aside it would be a REAL shame if you started calling it "the Mozilla browser" because I personally don't think I can identify the two whether its because of past history or how I believe I'm part of the Firebird community rather than just the Mozilla community.

Rob

[daihard]

About the connection to the name.
I'm not sure if the branding guidelines were ever meant to be followed. In any case, Firebird is now an established name and throwing it away just wouldn't be a very smart thing to do. Also, the current icon has an even stronger connection to that name.

Couldn't agree more.

[Hooded One]

I'm not sure if the branding guidelines were ever meant to be followed.

Shh. The database people might hear you.

[MechR]

I do think that "Mozilla Browser" is an awfully bland name.

And regarding the "M" idea it obviously would stand for Mozilla, and would be on all three icons. Shows they're of the same set to have the "M" in common. I think the differing color schemes (reddish, blue, yellow) and accompanying object (globe, envelope, sundial/calendar) would be enough to differentiate between apps.

[nobody2234]

Mine is better than the current.

I agree, so much better. The record will show that I despise the current one.

The picture looks somewhat silly

I absolutely hate the current one. I can't believe people like it. It is absolutely terrible. We cannot hit 1.0 with such an amateur, childish icon.

[daihard]

I absolutely hate the current one. I can't believe people like it. It is absolutely terrible. We cannot hit 1.0 with such an amateur, childish icon.

Every piece of work that goes into Firebird is the result of hard work from the Firebird devs and other volunteer members. Just like us, they love Firebird and try their best to make it as good a product as possible.

While you're free to express your opinions, I would at least be a little more polite when giving negative impressions. Just my thought.

[nobody2234]

About the connection to the name.
I'm not sure if the branding guidelines were ever meant to be followed. In any case, Firebird is now an established name and throwing it away just wouldn't be a very smart thing to do. Also, the current icon has an even stronger connection to that name.

I hope the branding guidelines are followed. While I know the guidelines were initially written up during the backlash from the Firebird Database people, I still think they should be followed. Mozilla has a loyal following, and the name is quite recognizable to many. Plus the whole "M" thing and the dinosaur are pretty damn cool. I will argue all the way that by the time firebird overtakes the suite as the main build, that the name should be changed back to Mozilla or Mozilla Browser.

[nobody2234]

I absolutely hate the current one. I can't believe people like it. It is absolutely terrible. We cannot hit 1.0 with such an amateur, childish icon.

Every piece of work that goes into Firebird is the result of hard work from the Firebird devs and other volunteer members. Just like us, they love Firebird and try their best to make it as good a product as possible.

While you're free to express your opinions, I would at least be a little more polite when giving negative impressions. Just my thought.

I am not insulting them. Its obvious that I love firebird, its icon is the only bad thing about it! Its an amazing peice of software, and I am thankful for every line of code the devs right! You dont see me writing the code, do you? I cant, and am thankful for it.

You also dont see me creating new logos, which is why I never complained about it before. And while I dont think Arvids new one is necessarily the best one possiple, it is loads better then the current one, so now I am gonna start voicing in.

[daihard]

While you're free to express your opinions, I would at least be a little more polite when giving negative impressions. Just my thought.

I am not insulting them. Its obvious that I love firebird, its icon is the only bad thing about it! Its an amazing peice of software, and I am thankful for every line of code the devs right! You dont see me writing the code, do you? I cant, and am thankful for it.

You also dont see me creating new logos, which is why I never complained about it before. And while I dont think Arvids new one is necessarily the best one possiple, it is loads better then the current one, so now I am gonna start voicing in.

See, you can certainly express your opinions in a very professional manner... you just did!

[thenightfly42]

The document Icon looks very very nice.

I'd like to update my (very simple) <a href="http://extensionroom.mozdev.org/#fbwia">Firebird Icon Adder</a> extension (if you can even call it that), and have these two icons from Arvid be the default.
Would you mind Arvid?

This would get it out to more users (newbies) and hopefully inspire it to become the default.

Cheers
--Jed

Can we get an OK on this request? I love the new icons, but I'm far too lazy to manually add the icon since I install the nightlies nearly every day. I would take the effort to install an extension, however

[Arvid Axelsson]

I'd like to update my (very simple) <a href="http://extensionroom.mozdev.org/#fbwia">Firebird Icon Adder</a> extension (if you can even call it that), and have these two icons from Arvid be the default.
Would you mind Arvid?

Sure, but you will want to give people a choice between mine and the icons you have now, I guess.

[Arvid Axelsson]

Perhaps I should mention that I will try to refine the shape of the F.