851491 - Private Window is indicated with titlebar text and mask icon (theme), but Permanent Private Browsing mode only with titlebar text.

Status: RESOLVED INVALID

(Firefox :: Private Browsing, enhancement)

Description

[[:Aleksej]]

* A separate Private Window (opened using the File menu from a Firefox configured to remember history) indicates its mode with “(Private Browsing)” in the title bar, and a mask icon in the Location bar.
* A window of Firefox in the Permanent Private Browsing mode (any window opened when Preferences/Options → Privacy → History is set to “Never remember…” or “Always use private…”) only uses the title bar text, but no mask icon.


Arguments for not having a mask icon:
1. Someone who uses permanent PB mode does not need to be reminded about it (bug 481785).
2. It is indicated in the title; those who want to check, will.
3. The icon takes space.

Arguments for having a mask icon, or at least being consistent:
1. The icon is very prominent, it may be thought of as the primary indicator of PB mode.  As both private modes are explicitly called “private browsing” (the window one in the tab, and the permanent one in Preferences), it is confusing about whether the PPB window is private, or (if you notice the title indication) whether the mask should be shown in private mode or not.
2. (Assuming it is important to have a prominent indication.) The user may be running multiple browsers, confusing the windows.

Comment 1

[[:Aleksej]]

Another distinction that is consistent is that lightweight themes are not used in the PB modes (bug 847900).  However, they are not used in any mode by default.

Comment 2

[Tracy Walker [:tracy]]

confirmed on With Mac on a Nightly build

Comment 3

[(no longer active)]

Yes, this is by design.  We don't want all Firefox windows to look different in permanent PB mode.