Latest News | Upcoming Changes | About | Download | Donate | Awards/Recognition | Changelog
Latest News
| 5/21/2013 New version out! PitchDark for FX 4.0.9 is complete and submitted to Mozilla Addons.Currently working on an update to PitchDark for TB. |
Keep the feedback, suggestions, bug reports, and extension request coming – Feel free to leave a comment on the page or contact me.
Upcoming Changes (Reported Bugs)
Firefox/Browser
| Thunderbird/Email
|
About
PitchDark is a dark theme set for Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird aimed at users who prefer the negative color scheme (light text on dark background). While it is a dark theme it is designed with visibility, usability, and maximum screen real estate in mind. My inspiration was the Phoenity Dark themes (by Lim Chee Aun and Tom Wilson), which are currently outdated.
Design Considerations
PitchDark is meant to maintain the light text on dark background look, but instead uses dark harmonious natural tones, with black as accents. I like grays and blacks, but most dark themes take it to an extreme. The “birch” colored dark brown was chosen specifically to avoid blending in or detracting from fresh website designs that use black and gray for webpage backgrounds.
To reduce the amount of image work required, I’ve moved to the standard icon sets for Firefox and Thunderbird. Future versions may make use of the Tango icon set or have custom icons.
Download
The lastest builds and previous versions can be found at the Mozilla Addons site:
- PitchDark for Firefox: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1529
- PitchDark for Thunderbird: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/2106
Donate
I’m a proponent of free software, but members of the community sometimes ask for a way to show their support. If you happen to be in a giving mood, please consider donating (securely) to me via paypal. Thanks!
Awards and Recognition
- Chosen from a select group of Firefox add-ons to be included in the new Collections from Mozilla
- Editors have selected PitchDark for Fx to be listed on CNET Download.com
- PitchDark for Fx received “100% CLEAN” award on DownloadRoute.com
- PitchDark for Fx has been listed on Softpedia’s database of MS Windows software programs and been granted the “100% Clean” award
- PitchDark for Tb 2.0.2 has been tested by the Softpedia labs and found to be completely clean of adware/spyware components
- Mashable.com named PitchDark for Fx one of the The Top 20 Firefox 3.0 Compatible Themes Worth Upgrading For
- MakeUseOf.com named PitchDark for TB one of the 10 Best Mozilla Thunderbird Themes
- Granted the “Famous Software Award” by Download.FamousWhy.com.
Changelog
FirefoxVersion 4.0.9
Version 4.0.8
Version 4.0.7
Version 4.0.6
Version 4.0.5
Version 4.0.4
Version 4.0.3
Version 4.0.2
Version 4.0.1
Version 4.0.0
Version 3.6.3
Version 3.6.2
Version 3.6.1
Version 3.6.0
Version 3.5.0
Version 3.0.4
Version 3.0.3
Version 3.0.2
Version 3.0.1
Version 3.0.0
Version 2.0.2
Version 2.0.0
Version 1.5.6
Version 1.5.5
Version 1.5.4 – DROPPED
Version 1.5.3
Version 1.5.2
Version 1.5.1
Version 1.5.0
Version 1.0
| ThunderbirdVersion 4.0.4
Version 4.0.3
Version 4.0.2
Version 4.0.1
Version 4.0.0
Version 3.1.1
Version 3.1.0
Version 3.0.0
Version 2.0.3
Version 2.0.2
Version 2.0.1
Version 2.0.0
Version 1.5.6
Version 1.5.5
Version 1.5.4 – DROPPED
|
I love this skin. I was using an old one on my old, not-upgraded Thunderbird for the last oh, decade probably. Thank you for many years of not even having to think about it. Thanks to my Inbox and Trash vanishing too many times, I’ve finally upgraded to a newer version, but there’s a glass ceiling thanks to this theme.
I’ll be happy to donate $10 if you update for the latest Thunderbird, and I’d make it $20 if you take away the oddly light color for the Quick Filter bar, and the unnecessarily shiny shading on the tabs! They both attract the eye too much, IMO.
I’ve finally and reluctantly upgraded to Firefox 24. Until PitchDark is compatible, I’m afraid I’ve defected to In The Dark (which has many good points).
PitchDark incompatible with the latest Firefox update (23.0.1), so I’m sticking with Firefox 22 until this is resolved.
Correction:
The URL bar problem remains (you can’t overtype in the URL bar, refresh etc. doesn’t work) but I’ve found a keystroke workaround for my biggest bugbear—the impossibility of selecting and copying a URL—by typing *cmd L* (I’m using a Mac) which selects the URL and then copying it.
I have been refusing to upgrade to Firefox 22.0 as PitchDark for FX 4.0.9 was not compatible. Opening Firefox this evening, I spotted it was performing a ‘checking add-ons for compatibility’ exercise. To my surprise—and delight—I have been upgraded to Firefox 22 and PitchDark for FX 4.0.10 is enabled. Thanks Tim!
The URL bar problem remains (you can’t overtype in the URL bar, refresh etc. doesn’t work) but I’ve found a keystroke workaround for my biggest bugbear—the impossibility of selecting and copying a URL—by typing (I’m using a Mac) which selects the URL and then copying it. Job done!
Damn….was hoping this would work again. It still says it won’t work with Firefox.
Still the problem ain’t solved
There are other themes that do not turn unusable after every ff or tb update. Seems that there exists some programming trick to at least keep them alive, until final adaptions can be made.
E.g. “FT DeepDark” seems to be such an Theme.
TB still not out (that’s the one I’m waitinig for most urgently)
best,
Andrej
And alas, PitchDark for FX 4.0.9 is not compatible with the latest update, Firefox 22.0.
Hey Tim
I am using Windows XP.Moreover i would like to mention that when i enable PitchDark now the “style” of the tabs,url bar changes like that of Lock the Taskbar function in Windows and i am not able to type anything in the urlbar.I did not update anything and still i am getting this problem STRANGE eh
Hey Tim
I am using Windows XP.Did you try the new version of PitchDark?
The inability to refresh is a nuisance and the impossibility of copying a URL is a real pain.
Hi Tim, Thanks for your prompt reply.
I have tried disabling each and every extension one by one to no effect. Ditto with each and every Plugin. Finally I was running Firefox entirely naked with no extensions and no plugins with just PitchDark enabled, and the problem remained.
Himanshu (below) seems to have the same issue. He refers to ‘starting my pc’ but I suppose it could be a Mac.
To clarify, everything works okay with a new tab, but once you’ve opened a web page you can’t overtype in the URL bar. In fact nothing works in the URL bar.
I will stay with PitchDark because it’s far and away the most elegant and legible of the dark themes and the next best (Office Black) is no longer compatible. There is a partial workaround—opening a new tab—though the inability to refresh is a nuisance.
It would be great if this bug could be fixed.
Thanks for all your hard work and for devising such a great theme!
I was delighted to get PitchDark back. I was resisting updating to Firefox 21 as it meant losing Office Black (the next best dark theme) which is not compatible and is no longer being maintained and updated.
I have now updated to Firefox 21 and I too have a problem with the URL bar on PitchDark. Everything works okay with a new tab, but once you’ve opened a web page you can’t overtype in the URL bar, and refresh doesn’t work (even on pages that are updated like BBC Weather for example). Perhaps this is only a problem with Firefox 21 and it was okay with Firefox 20, I don’t know.
I am using Firefox 21 on a Mac OSX 10.6.8 (Snow Leopard) with the following extensions: AdBlock Plus, CoolPreviews, InstantFox, OmniBar, Stylish, Tab Mix Plus.
Hope this is helpful….
Hi Tim, Is there any chance it could be an incompatibility with OmniBar or another extension? I cannot seem to replicate the issue (but I also don’t have a Mac).
This is the greatest ever dark theme for firefox,i am using it since the past many many years with no problems at all BUT since last night as long as this theme is enabled in my firefox i am not able to write anything in the url bar.I came back home last night started my pc and this problem was there.I reinstalled firefox added addons one by one and the problem started as soon as i installed this theme.When i disable it the problem goes away.I am only using a total of 4 plugins/addons including this theme and i have been using them from the past many many years.Firefox version 10.0.2
What to do now?
Thanks
I use PitchDark for TB with TB17. There are some problems displaying the title bar (I had to set mail.tabs.drawInTitlebar=false in TB config). Anyway this is my favourite TB dark theme. Great Job!
GREAT! Good News, will watch this space in the next weeks.
best,
andrej!
Any chance of PitchDark for Firefox 20? I really miss it. I’m using LCARStrek and I’m not a trekkie! It’s hideous, pretentious and turquoise/orange, but extremely legible unlike other all other dark themes. Help!
Working on it!
Is there any chance to get pitchdark working for present thunderbird-versions?
I would easily consider to make a donation for that!
Or did you quit working on it completetly?
@Andrej – I’m still working on the updated version for Thunderbird. There are a few bugs to fix for Lightning before I can release it.
I sure miss PitchDark now that Firefox 18 is out. I think it quit working around Firefox 14. I keep trying to find one that I like as well as this, but still haven’t. I’m using one called DeepDark, but it’s certainly not PitchDark. I keep checking back weekly in hopes that it will say COMPATIBLE again!
PitchDark was my FAVORITE theme for Firefox. It’s been “dead” now since Firefox 14. I’m now on 18, and they’ve been changing so often. I keep checking and HOPING there might be a new version out. It’s the greatest theme out there. I’m using one called DeepDark, but it’s not as good as PitchDark!
Please get PitchDark updated for Firefox! It’s my favorite theme and it’s incompatable! I have yet to find another theme I like as much as I like this one!
I need 4.0.8 – this theme works perfect with tabkit and after another one does not – there can be only One.
uhhh, hope you can keep the tempo with the TB-releases … looking forward to the next version theme.
This is my favorite theme! Please update it! It’s incompatible with the new Firefox and I would LOVE to use it again!
Working on it! Thanks for the comment.
I’m really looking forward to PitchDark for TB15. I hope that’s coming down the pipe soon.
Love Pitchdark but have just updated to TB15 and it isn’t available as yet for that version. Hope it appears soon as I am getting blinded by the standard interface
Oh dear! Just as I thank you for updating PitchDark for Firefox 13, along comes Firefox 14. Another update ASAP please!
The theme version has been updated on mozilla addons for version 14.0.1, so you just need to re-download.
I’m really pleased you’ve updated PitchDark for Firefox 13. It’s my favourite theme by far for functionality, clarity and visibility.
But … could you PLEASE make the back and forward arrows more visible—more like the refresh button, perhaps. I’m not the first to make this point:
joshua on January 2, 2012
This looks really good as far as I’m concerned. The only thing you need is the back and forward arrows and the home symbol. As of right now they are just grey with nothing in them.
It’s the thing that undermines your claim that PitchDark is ‘designed with visibility in mind’.
Thanks anyway.
All of the buttons have the same basic grey-blue background (following the default theme). I can try to work on the icon coloring a bit for the next release.
I’ve been using Firefox & Thunderbird ESR and have had absolutely NO problems with PD or any other extension. I suggest you try them instead of the regular release versions of FF & TB.
Thanks for all of your work, Tim.
May as well update for 13 and get ahead of the curve. Some of us are on the beta channel 🙂
It must be nearly impossible to keep up with Mozilla updates but I do appreciate your efforts.
I’ve been using PitchDark in Firefox and, most importantly, Thunderbird for years. I have low vision and your themes are the best for me.
Thanks again.
Glad you find them helpful. You are spot on with trying to keep up with the release schedule – it’s gotten bad since Mozilla went to rapid release.
Please update for 12.
Hi Tim.
Firefox and Thunderbird 12 are out.
Now ones again your theme need to be, made compatible.
So please update your great themes.
Thank you for your great work.
Kind regards
Endor
Hi!
Problem for to display the personal bar with Firefox 12 Beta… 🙁 This problem appears only on the version 12… Have you a solution or an update please ? 😉
Thanks…