Firefox 3.1 may be delayed, due to some issues with TraceMonkey  – the new JavaScript backend for Firefox.  Of course, that is as reported by a recent PC World article.  What is all the hub-bub about?  Well, the story’s main source shared his concerns via a Firefox forum:

Firefox developer David Baron wondered how long Firefox 3.1 should be held up by TraceMonkey problems. "Without TraceMonkey, we probably could have shipped 3.1 final by now, or, if not now, within the next month," Baron said. "I think there should be a limit to the amount we’re willing to slip 3.1 to accommodate TraceMonkey, and I think we should decide what that limit is."

Personally, I think, if they need more time – heck, give them more time.  I would rather Firefox 3.1 be a little late and have all it’s ducks in a row rather than go into the, “Oh crap, we have to hurry up and get something out” mode.  Thankfully, Mike Shaver, Mozilla’s vice president of engineering said in the same article that, We’re always looking at all of our choices, but I don’t think it’s likely.  TraceMonkey is a big part of Firefox 3.1, and a big part of what we want to have for users."

So should Firefox stay on track, and just work through the delays as they happen, or rush out an in-between release to keep some people happy?