DFBMozilla

Status
Update(2006-11-20): A new patch has been released by TATA Elxsi which is having most of the bugs fixed. Visit Bugzilla for more information on Mozilla over DirectFB.

A patch to Mozilla for a DirectFB build has been posted to mozilla bug db. Some bugs still exist, but it works. This patch (Mozilla over DFB) has been provided by TATA Elxsi, Bangalore, India for formal acceptance in Mozilla tree. Please visit https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=357946 for detailed information, release notes and updates. The patch is applicable for Firefox, ver 1.5.0.3. Update(2007-06-15): Folks at TATA Elxsi are also working on Flash Player and Plugin for Mozilla, over DirectFB. GNASH Flash Player has been ported to DirectFB. GNASH Plugin has also been integrated into Mozilla. Libfad flash player on DirectFB has been converted to plugin for Mozilla.



Note: The neweast porting please refer to Mozilla on DFB Porting

Purpose
To create a DirectFB native backend for Mozilla. See below for more detailed goals and milestones.

Introduction / Motivation
Many of DirectFBs users seem to developing embedded multimedia applications. Its low level nature, running under linux, the low memory footprint and the many powerful graphics functions make DirectFB a natural choice for such applications.

A common practice for such applications, especially strongly upheld in the new area of 'Enhanced Television', is to create the interfaces for the application using Browser technology. Such interfaces typically make heavy use of JavaScript and Dynamic HTML to enable a familiar user experience for the application.

The use of a browser can also be imagined in many other applications, providing a good motivation to port a browser to DFB. Mozilla, as the Open Source alternative with the most fully developed JavaScript and DHTML support, is the best choice of browser.

Approach
Initial examination and discussion of the code seems to point in the direction of the BeOS or MacOS Mozilla backend being the best starting point for a DFB port.

Goals / Milestones
Possible goals:


 * Gecko display under DFB
 * Mouse control under DFB
 * Firefox for DFB
 * Minimo for DFB
 * Clipboard Support (?)
 * Drag and Drop Support (?)
 * Moving window positions / adjusting sizes from JavaScript
 * Controlling window transparency from JavaScript
 * Controlling video provider from JavaScript

Build Instructions
Make sure you have installed linux fusion first. Download the source, untar it, make and make install. Please read README and mknod /dev/fusion/0 c 252 0 at least.

Get GTKDFB version 2.10.1 and build. Detailed instruction can be found on wiki page of GTKDFB. Then, do as followings:


 * 1) cd $PREFIX/src
 * 2) Get firefox-1.5.0.3 source
 * 3) Get the patch for Mozilla 1.5.0.3 and GTKDFB 2.10.1 from Bugzilla
 * 4) Extract them(in $PREFIX/src, ie. in /usr/gtkdfb/src)
 * 5) Apply Mozilla patch: cd mozilla; patch -p0 </usr/gtkdfb/src/patch_name.dat
 * 6) Apply GTKDFB 2_10_1 patch similarly
 * 7) Create the .mozconfig (For further building options look here)
 * 8) make -f client.mk build

Visit Bugzilla for detailed information.