Comments on: Firefox Automatic Extension Updates http://www.ghacks.net/2009/01/08/firefox-automatic-extension-updates/ A technology blog covering software, mobile phones, gadgets, security, the Internet and other relevant areas. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:07:45 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: The Importance Of Self Updating Applications | The Agile Micro ISV Blog http://www.ghacks.net/2009/01/08/firefox-automatic-extension-updates/#comment-899043 The Importance Of Self Updating Applications | The Agile Micro ISV Blog Thu, 15 Oct 2009 08:29:35 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=9732#comment-899043 [...] Firefox Automatic Extension Updates [...] [...] Firefox Automatic Extension Updates [...]

]]> By: WindPower http://www.ghacks.net/2009/01/08/firefox-automatic-extension-updates/#comment-604253 WindPower Sun, 11 Jan 2009 17:40:59 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=9732#comment-604253 There is a changelog when extensions get updated. Just click on the extension that's going to be updated and click on "Show Information", it should show you the new version's changes. Of course, it's up to the author of the extension to make such a changelog, and he/she might not decide to make one, which is a shame. There is a changelog when extensions get updated. Just click on the extension that’s going to be updated and click on “Show Information”, it should show you the new version’s changes. Of course, it’s up to the author of the extension to make such a changelog, and he/she might not decide to make one, which is a shame.

]]> By: Ajay http://www.ghacks.net/2009/01/08/firefox-automatic-extension-updates/#comment-603225 Ajay Sat, 10 Jan 2009 20:25:27 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=9732#comment-603225 Even the updates do not mention the malware added by the program. The extension is excellent, however, its rating is going to fall all over considering this update. Even the updates do not mention the malware added by the program.

The extension is excellent, however, its rating is going to fall all over considering this update.

]]> By: barney_ghl http://www.ghacks.net/2009/01/08/firefox-automatic-extension-updates/#comment-601496 barney_ghl Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:31:06 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=9732#comment-601496 Yep, Roman, that's the thing ... *Many* continued to work. But a lot didn't, and some worked in a funky fashion, to say the least. Much as I appreciate the efforts of MR Tech, his efforts are not a panacea. Perhaps you got lucky, but I found that over half of the extensions that I used _disable compatibility_ to install failed to work, or even worse, worked improperly w/o my [immediate] knowledge. That's not a slam against MR Tech, it's just a fact of life in any upgrade scenario ... when you upgrade the core, many ancillary functions fall by the wayside. Wish I'd been as lucky as you . Yep, Roman, that’s the thing …

*Many* continued to work. But a lot didn’t, and some worked in a funky fashion, to say the least.

Much as I appreciate the efforts of MR Tech, his efforts are not a panacea.

Perhaps you got lucky, but I found that over half of the extensions that I used _disable compatibility_ to install failed to work, or even worse, worked improperly w/o my [immediate] knowledge.

That’s not a slam against MR Tech, it’s just a fact of life in any upgrade scenario … when you upgrade the core, many ancillary functions fall by the wayside.

Wish I’d been as lucky as you .

]]> By: Roman ShaRP http://www.ghacks.net/2009/01/08/firefox-automatic-extension-updates/#comment-601148 Roman ShaRP Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:06:42 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=9732#comment-601148 <cite>Mr Tech does allow override on compatibility _checks_, but it doesn’t _make_ the extension compatible. </cite> Yes, it's true. But most of the compatibility alarms I met last year was the false alarms on FF 3 upgrades. And with disabled compatibility check extensions just continue to work. Mr Tech does allow override on compatibility _checks_, but it doesn’t _make_ the extension compatible.

Yes, it’s true. But most of the compatibility alarms I met last year was the false alarms on FF 3 upgrades. And with disabled compatibility check extensions just continue to work.

]]> By: barney_ghl http://www.ghacks.net/2009/01/08/firefox-automatic-extension-updates/#comment-601107 barney_ghl Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:36:13 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=9732#comment-601107 Well, Roman, Yes and no. Mr Tech does allow override on compatibility _checks_, but it doesn't _make_ the extension compatible. Some extensions simply cannot co-exist with some FF updates. (I've been fighting that battle since early v2.x with one particular extension I'd like to be able to use: it's a chrome issue, and the author has not updated to match the chrome changes.) Well, Roman,
Yes and no.
Mr Tech does allow override on compatibility _checks_, but it doesn’t _make_ the extension compatible. Some extensions simply cannot co-exist with some FF updates.
(I’ve been fighting that battle since early v2.x with one particular extension I’d like to be able to use: it’s a chrome issue, and the author has not updated to match the chrome changes.)

]]> By: RG http://www.ghacks.net/2009/01/08/firefox-automatic-extension-updates/#comment-601103 RG Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:33:06 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=9732#comment-601103 When upgrading have to keep using the info panel on the side that most add-ons have, and if there is no info check it by going to its home page (right click on the extension name in FF). Just because it is FF doesn't mean security practices can be laxer. When upgrading have to keep using the info panel on the side that most add-ons have, and if there is no info check it by going to its home page (right click on the extension name in FF). Just because it is FF doesn’t mean security practices can be laxer.

]]> By: Roman ShaRP http://www.ghacks.net/2009/01/08/firefox-automatic-extension-updates/#comment-600932 Roman ShaRP Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:49:19 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=9732#comment-600932 <b>What is Go-oo?</b>, this can be easily solved whit MR Tech's Toolkit extension - it allows to override compatibility check. What is Go-oo?, this can be easily solved whit MR Tech’s Toolkit extension – it allows to override compatibility check.

]]> By: What is Go-oo? http://www.ghacks.net/2009/01/08/firefox-automatic-extension-updates/#comment-600907 What is Go-oo? Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:34:48 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=9732#comment-600907 Another disadvantage with Firefox' current update method in regard to extensions is the browser update itself. Often, this leads to situations where the installed extensions are not compatible with the new browser version, and are disabled. Some extensions are critical to some workflows, and this is unacceptable. Another disadvantage with Firefox’ current update method in regard to extensions is the browser update itself. Often, this leads to situations where the installed extensions are not compatible with the new browser version, and are disabled. Some extensions are critical to some workflows, and this is unacceptable.

]]> By: Roman ShaRP http://www.ghacks.net/2009/01/08/firefox-automatic-extension-updates/#comment-600898 Roman ShaRP Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:29:20 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=9732#comment-600898 <i>Dels says: This is why Opera Browser keep strict with their add-on, they only allowed add-on as widget or UserJS, why? Since the quality of product (especially browser stability) are their top priority.</i> I was long-time Opera user too (2000-2008), and I want to say that Opera way has its own disadvantages: 1) It's harder to make substantial change to functionality of the browser. Flashgot handles downloads to download manager I use much more better than Opera (one of the causes of my switch). 2) If something goes wrong, you have to reinstall browser completely, and wait until it be repaired (may be losing some improvements of the newest versions). With add-ons you can just revert back to previous add-on version or uninstall add-on causing problems (QTL v11 and v12 cause some problems for me, and I were keeping QTL v10 - but from QTL v13 I use last version again). 3) If something goes wrong with one add-on, you can possibly move to another (SpeedDial instead of FastDial - like <b>metaeuphoria</b> said). If something is wrong in browser code - what can you do? 4) Opera have bundled some features I don't need - mail client is not good for me, and torrent support is better in Utorrent. They can work on improving mail client or torrent support, but that features never will be better for me than standalone software. With add-on approach you have hundreds of developers working on different add-ons. This adds to the speed of development, and to flexibility too. If you don't need something - just don't install it. If some add-on is spoiled or discontinued - keep previous version or move to another. Dels says:
This is why Opera Browser keep strict with their add-on, they only allowed add-on as widget or UserJS, why? Since the quality of product (especially browser stability) are their top priority.

I was long-time Opera user too (2000-2008), and I want to say that Opera way has its own disadvantages:
1) It’s harder to make substantial change to functionality of the browser. Flashgot handles downloads to download manager I use much more better than Opera (one of the causes of my switch).
2) If something goes wrong, you have to reinstall browser completely, and wait until it be repaired (may be losing some improvements of the newest versions). With add-ons you can just revert back to previous add-on version or uninstall add-on causing problems (QTL v11 and v12 cause some problems for me, and I were keeping QTL v10 – but from QTL v13 I use last version again).
3) If something goes wrong with one add-on, you can possibly move to another (SpeedDial instead of FastDial – like metaeuphoria said). If something is wrong in browser code – what can you do?
4) Opera have bundled some features I don’t need – mail client is not good for me, and torrent support is better in Utorrent. They can work on improving mail client or torrent support, but that features never will be better for me than standalone software. With add-on approach you have hundreds of developers working on different add-ons. This adds to the speed of development, and to flexibility too. If you don’t need something – just don’t install it. If some add-on is spoiled or discontinued – keep previous version or move to another.

]]> By: Roman ShaRP http://www.ghacks.net/2009/01/08/firefox-automatic-extension-updates/#comment-600849 Roman ShaRP Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:02:52 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=9732#comment-600849 There is partial restore: you can just install back early version of add-on, backed up daily or weekly via FEBE (on couple of issues I reinstalled all add-ons I had). You can also restore settings, options etc. But it took some time for me to find what causing problems - new installed add-on, compatibility issues, NoScript update or FastDial update. There is partial restore: you can just install back early version of add-on, backed up daily or weekly via FEBE (on couple of issues I reinstalled all add-ons I had).

You can also restore settings, options etc.

But it took some time for me to find what causing problems – new installed add-on, compatibility issues, NoScript update or FastDial update.

]]> By: metaeuphoria http://www.ghacks.net/2009/01/08/firefox-automatic-extension-updates/#comment-600841 metaeuphoria Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:58:57 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=9732#comment-600841 The previous version of fast dial was great; I had been using it for months, but the latest update completely ruined it. I've switched to SpeedDial. A restore function would be nice, but if there are security issues with an extension; the downside of restoring it down the line is that it might remove those fixes as well. The previous version of fast dial was great; I had been using it for months, but the latest update completely ruined it. I’ve switched to SpeedDial.

A restore function would be nice, but if there are security issues with an extension; the downside of restoring it down the line is that it might remove those fixes as well.

]]> By: Transcontinental http://www.ghacks.net/2009/01/08/firefox-automatic-extension-updates/#comment-600698 Transcontinental Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:19:49 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=9732#comment-600698 There is indeed no restore function, but it is possible to backup the Firefox profile(s) before installing/updating an extension. That is what I do and should a problem or disagreement arise all I have to perform is to delete the profile(s) and restore from the backup. Et voila. As for 'Fast Dial', gosh, what a pity, even if personally I never used it. There is indeed no restore function, but it is possible to backup the Firefox profile(s) before installing/updating an extension. That is what I do and should a problem or disagreement arise all I have to perform is to delete the profile(s) and restore from the backup. Et voila.

As for ‘Fast Dial’, gosh, what a pity, even if personally I never used it.

]]> By: Dels http://www.ghacks.net/2009/01/08/firefox-automatic-extension-updates/#comment-600594 Dels Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:05:30 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=9732#comment-600594 This is why Opera Browser keep strict with their add-on, they only allowed add-on as widget or UserJS, why? Since the quality of product (especially browser stability) are their top priority. I think it's time for Mozilla team to make improvement for their add-on/themes update system, if not i'm sure there would be add-on that can destroy Firefox functionality soon. /me long Opera user (Since v5) & using K-Meleon for Gecko based browser instead of Firefox This is why Opera Browser keep strict with their add-on, they only allowed add-on as widget or UserJS, why? Since the quality of product (especially browser stability) are their top priority.

I think it’s time for Mozilla team to make improvement for their add-on/themes update system, if not i’m sure there would be add-on that can destroy Firefox functionality soon.

/me long Opera user (Since v5) & using K-Meleon for Gecko based browser instead of Firefox

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