Yep, would be nice. They probably will say well install some extensions and make use of profile feature - then you have what you ask for. Not really. I think we are used to giants like MS etc. and dont realize Firefox is much more of a hobby project, in comparison at least. Matter of resources (priorities) They cant complete everything at same time. Replacement for bookmarks/history was quickly dropped at sign of problems - they must release 2.0 on schedule (IE7...) Yesterday I read a long blog entry from one of the programmers - all about Firefox 3.0, which they have worked on long time already. 2.0 is more or less over and out. All this movement could mean they have less focus on user experience and hang on to the the old "less is better" approach.
From what Ive seen some of the leading programmers are also very stubborn about requests for new options/changed GUI. Not easy to move.
I know they test stuff on usergroups, just like MS and others, majority rules but I still say the new tab scrolling is terrible, more so in combination with arrangement of new tabs. Can almost be unusable, dont see how there can be many opinions about that. Essential part of GUI so no use saying there are extensions to fix this. Usergroups found it make most sense to have close button on each tab. Ok, but why not have the optional "on active tab" "at end of tab bar" ? No you must go to about:config punch in a number at correct entry. There are more annoyances like this, not sure it is planned, consequence of circumstances/resources/time or what.
They did have time to implement Googles Antiphising of course.
Anyway, 2.0 engine definitely runs better and extension world is delivering big time.