![[LWN Logo]](/images/lwn.banner.gif)
To: mozilla-general@mozilla.org
From: Will Darling <mdarling@execulink.com>
Subject: in-depth mozilla development faq
Date: Sun, 05 Apr 1998 11:37:45 -0400
I put together an FAQ that answers a few development questions, but
really explores the area of hacks that you can apply to mozilla to make
your own version cooler than anyone elses. :-)
In-Depth Mozilla Development FAQ
--------------------------------
- Release 1, April 5th, 1998 -
By Will Darling <mdarling@execulink.com>, not affilicated with
Netscape or mozilla.org This FAQ is somewhat based on Pat Gunn's
original
one, but has added much more in-depth explanation on the code, and will
even have some tutorials on modules and writing your own code. It also
includes hacks to fix bugs, change your animation, or put your name in
lights! (about:you) I think the main section of interest here will be
the
"hacks" section... The most recent version of this file can be found at
http://www.godin.on.ca/mozilla/mozilla_faq
Sections:
1) Building it
2) Help on development
3) Your own hacks
4) Changes
- Section 1: Building it -
1.1) How do I build on foo-platform?
Read the README file that came with your source tree. If you
haven't downloaded the source yet and would like to see build
instructions, they are located here:
Unix: http://www.mozilla.org/docs/tplist/catBuild/unxbuild.htm
Win32: http://www.mozilla.org/docs/tplist/catBuild/winbuild.htm
Mac: http://www.mozilla.org/docs/tplist/catBuild/macbuild.htm
1.2) What platforms have had successful builds?
Keep up to date - read the newsgroups. For now, of the platforms
I know about, here's a list:
Solaris 2.4, 2.5, 2.6
FreeBSD 2.2, 3.0
Linux 2.0, 2.1
MacOS
WinNT 4.0
Win95
IRIX 5.3, 6.2, 6.4
FreeBSD 3.0
Digital Unix 4.0
NetBSD
OpenBSD
1.3) I can't get mozilla to build on foo-system!
Read the newsgroups. (netscape.public.mozilla.general
specifically). Also, for common problems that have been picked
up, take a look at Pat Gunn's Mozilla FAQ @
http://junior.apk.net/~qc/dok/mozilla_faq
- Section 2: Help on development -
2.1) There are TONS of mozilla resources already! There have also been
many projects setup that you could work on.
2.2) I want to help on the Java port!
Check out: http://mozilla.alsutton.com/jazilla
2.3) When can I get some crypto in mozilla?
Right now! Check out the cryptozilla project at:
http://www.cryptozilla.org
2.4) Where can I get some documentation?
Everywhere! Start with www.mozilla.org/docs
- Section 3: Your own hacks -
3.1) Ok, the section that you're here for! This is where you go to find
out how to change the animation, give yourself a hard-coded url,
or
whatever your imagination can think of.
3.2) How do I change the animation?
The animation is one of the easiest things to change. As you may
know, there are two sets of animations; one small one, one
"huge" one.
The reason for this is some people like a huge toolbar, and some
people
prefer a little one. To change it on:
Unix: Take a look at ns/cmd/xfe/icons/anim/main - there are
your icons. Hack around. Change 'em. I myself have put a
movie of my dog on there. :-)
The large icons are 40x40 and go from
AnimHuge00.gif -> AnimHuge34.gif.
The small icons are 20x20 and go from
AnimSm00.gif -> AnimSm34.gif.
Win: Take a look in ns/cmd/winfe/res - there's your icons.
I imagine it's pretty much the same for Windows as it is
for Unix.
Mac: This one I'm not sure about - but I'd imagine:
ns/cmd/macfe/icons - or something similar. If you know
exactly, please e-mail me.
Notes: If you're getting warnings while compiling that say
"color xxx should be color xxx" - you can pretty much ignore
them and
it'll still run fine. However, if you want a cleaner build - try
using
the same color palette as Netscape's own animation. (index!)
3.3) I want one of those really cool "about:me" urls in my browser! How
do I do it?
Simple. Look at ns/lib/libnet/mkgeturl.c - then browse through
it
- you'll eventually come to a bunch of lines of code that look
very similar. The urls are coded with numbers. Figure out which
letter
is which (there's a comment for each name) and add yourself!
Cool!
3.4) I only have lesstif. Will I have problems compiling and what are
some fixes?
Lesstif is a great project. Unfortunately, it is still very much
a work in progress. You can build mozilla successfully with the
latest lesstif available at
ftp://ftp.hungry.com/pub/hungry/lesstif/lesstif-current.tar.gz
This won't be nearly as stable as using Motif 1.2, but it will
work for you.
3.5) When compiling with lesstif, it gives me errors about "Combobox.c"
- what am I doing wrong?
Well, nothing really. If you want to get rid of this error, then
either upgrade to the latest lesstif (which is the best
solution)
- or if you can't for some reason - edit the file:
ns/cmd/xfe/Makefile and take out Combobox.c.
3.6) After compiling with lesstif, I get a weird "grey-area" on the
screen where a webpage should be. Why is it there and how can I
get
rid of it?
This is known about by Netscape engineers. But, there's a few
simple ways around it until then. First of all, you can get
Motif.
If you don't want to do that, you can just hide or show the
toolbar
and it will go away. Or, third, you can apply the patch
"grey-area-patch" available at
www.godin.on.ca/mozilla/patches.html
3.7) I want to get rid of that darn <blink> tag. How do I do it?
Apply the patch "no-blink-patch" at
www.godin.on.ca/mozilla/patches.html
3.8) The page composer toggle button doesn't show up correctly.
Apply the patch "fix-pref-patch"
- Section 4: Revisions to this doc -
4.1) First released April 5th, 1998.