I use Moz Backup for Firefox to backup my data and import it to my Toshiba Notebook that I use when I’m traveling. Mozilla Weave is using a slightly different approach that automates the process further. It provides an online storage for Firefox 3 profile data that can be used on any computer connecting if the correct user data is provided.

After installing Weave on the first computer a wizard is guiding through the initial account setup. This has to be done once only, all other computers with Weave can use the login details, that is username, password and passphrase, from that computer to connect to Weave and sync the data.

It is up to the user to select the data that will be stored at the Weave servers. By default Bookmarks, Cookies, Tabs and Browsing History will be synchronized. Saved Passwords and Form Data are optional and experimental at this stage. The transfer of the data to the server can take a while depending on the amount of data that has to be transferred.

The data will be encrypted and the transfer puts some strain on Firefox which did become unresponsive in that time on my system. Weave will connect to the server periodically after the initial synchronization if data has been changed on the computer.

Options to store extensions and themes among other things are already visible in the add-on but not selectable currently. Weave will be a nice option for users who are using multiple computers. I prefer to use Mozbackup instead to export and import data because I work with one computer at home and use the other only when traveling which is not that often.

I first thought that I had to manually backup the profile, extensions and all other settings like cookies and move them from my desktop computer to my notebook. This would be a lot of work and I was hoping for a way to synchronize everything without doing all the manual work.

After installing Febe it is important to take a look at the options offered to define the directory that should store the backup of the settings and select all the elements that you want to backup. Febe offers the most comprehensive way to backup every aspect of Firefox, here is a list of possibilities:

Backup Extensions, Themes, Bookmarks, Preferences, Cookies, userChrome.css, userContent.css, usernames and passwords, phishing data, search plugins, browser and form fill history, permissions and user defined backups.

It is furthermore possible to schedule backups and create timestamped backups.

The only thing that is really missing is a way to automatically sync data between several computers.