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→Problem 4 : make 3.80
For the preparation for the build, I first read the [http://developer.mozilla.org/en/docs/Build_Documentation Mozilla Development Center Build Documentation], but quickly ran out of patience. Then I found another [http://pryan.org/firefox/TierMann/page/building/index.html website] that offers a more compressed set of instructions.
*First, I downloaded and installed [http://sources.redhat.com/cygwin/setup.exe Cygwin], following the instruction [http://pryan.org/firefox/TierMann/page/building/packages.html here]. There is an extra step involved in getting '''make 3.80''' detailed at the Problems section.
*I already have Visual Studio .NET 2003 installed, so I didn't install any SDK suggested by the site.
*I downloaded [http://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/mozilla/source/wintools.zip Moztools], and unpacked it as instructed.
Later I discovered that I could have avoided such headache if I had had the time and patience to read the contents of '''client.mk'''. The file contains a documentation on how to use the flag to choose the Mozilla suite to download.
=== Problem 2 : Wrong Firefox.exe run ===Once the compilation is finished, I searched '''mozilla\firefox-objdir\browser\apps''' and found Firefox.exe, which I immediately ran. The program crashed immediately with this pop-up error:<pre>This application has failed to start because xul.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem.</pre> Only later that I found the correct file to run at '''mozilla\firefox-objdir\dist\bin'''. Multiple executables located in the trunk can potentially confuse anyone who didn't bother to read directions...
=== Problem 3 : Wrong Firefox version ===When I double-clicked the (right) Firefox.exe, the program ran immediately, but when the About window is displayed, it displayed version 1.5.0.7. Alarmed, I contacted [http://cs1.senecac.on.ca/wiki/index.php/User:Sherman Sherman Fernandes], who advised me to turn off all opened Firefox windows (which I used to display references). The problem was immediately resolved.
=== Problem 4 : make 3.80 ===Various sources instructed not to use '''make 3.81''', which can be included in the Cygwin installation, so I left it unchecked. During installation, I found myself not having '''make.exe''' at all. Luckily, Elizabeth Chak's submission conveniently provided a [http://cygwin.paracoda.com/release/make/make-3.80-1.tar.bz2 link].
== Screenshot ==
[[Image:Nanda-Fox-about.PNG]]
== Acknowledgement ==
*[http://cs1.senecac.on.ca/wiki/index.php/User:Sherman Sherman Fernandez], [http://cs1.senecac.on.ca/wiki/index.php/User:RichardChu Richard Chu], and Colin Guy for various helps and morale support.
*[http://cs1.senecac.on.ca/wiki/index.php/User:Elichak Elizabeth Chak] and [http://cs1.senecac.on.ca/wiki/index.php/User:Pcvitori Philip Vitorino] for excellent submission details.
*[http://developer.mozilla.org/en/docs/Build_Documentation Mozilla Development Center Build Documentation]
*[http://pryan.org/firefox/TierMann/page/building/index.html Building Firefox Using Free Tools]
== Acknowledgement Reflection ==To be honest, I haven't been involved in large-scale programming project before. This is the first time that I encounter a compilation process longer than 15 minutes. The compilation process itself looks like a bunch of gibberish flashing through my screen in extremely high speed. In a way, the whole process makes me feel stumped.
On the other hand, this is the first exposure to a large-scale project involving a lot of people. During the compilation process, I feel as if I am walking through a museum hallway, inspecting the works of giants in my chosen profession. Nothing can replace the feeling of being part of that community, and the fact that I have the potential to contribute to this giant undertaking.