Mac Forum / Applications / Firefox / Mozilla / March 2005

No reason that you can see? Then you dont understand the different OS
and their guidelines.

Both Microsoft (for Windows) and Apple for OS X, set standards and
guidelines for where specific items are placed and in which menu they
belong.
For example, in this specific example, Microsoft dictates that the TOOLS
to change the settings go under the Tools menu, while on the Apple
system, they rightly belong in the <Program Name> menu under Preferences.

Each operating system has its own values and priorities, and the
guidelines for each (as set by the manufacturer) are different.
Earlier on in the Windows system for example, each program could decree
what CMD P stood for, with the result that different programs used the
key combination for quite some different tasks.  Microsoft finally laid
down the 'law' with its guidelines and Cmd P in now Print across the
spectrum. Apple always had strict guidelines for its user interface,
i.e. standardized menus for ALL program
Apple/Program Name/File/Edit   are always there (on the Apple).
Microsoft didnt specify the Program Name menu and as such it doesnt exist!

Many of the original key combinations were based on the Apple Gui
P for Print  C for Copy V for Paste X for Cut for example - Microsoft
later made these standard as well.
Windows has right click options, because ALL Microsoft windows OS and
compatible mice had two buttons (or more). There is no equivalent on the
Mac OS, because Mac mice come with one button.  Some conventions have to
be invented for cross platform programs, on Mozilla products, some right
click (windows) functions are click and hold on the Mac for example.

You expect a FILE menu you say. Because Apple dictated what goes in the
FILE menu, and Microsoft later adopted many of the same standards for
its interface when it standardized menus. Linux followed the Windows
layout in most cases, but not always.  Because the STANDARDS which
govern what goes where on each platform are different!  The Preferences
in Linux are under the Edit menu, they are under the Program Name Menu
in OS X and because Microsoft dictates so, they are under the Tools menu
in Windows!

If Mozilla use the Tools menu (i.e.  Tools-->Options--->Preferences or
some such) then they would be breaking the Apple and Linux guidelines
for user interfaces. If Mozilla used the Program Name menu (i.e.
Mozilla-->Preferences) then it would be breaking both Microsoft AND
Linux guidelines for user interfaces. If Mozilla use the Edit menu (i.e.
Edit--Preferences) then it would be breaking Microsoft and Apple
guidelines for user interfaces.  So each version for each OS users its own.