Comments on: New Firefox Add-ons Site Launches http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/ Technology News Sat, 06 Sep 2008 17:30:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Ryan http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-134096 Ryan Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:51:41 +0000 http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-134096 [div id=commentquote]<a href="#comment-133937" rel="nofollow">leland wrote:</a><blockquote>Ryan, you should look at The Guru’s comment closer and try it yourself. I checked it this morning and you can access the files like before using this method. It is more of a hassle, but it will work. The history you get includes the latest version all the way back to the earliest versions in their archive. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no fan of the new site, but using the “Advanced Details” does work.</blockquote>[/div] It definitely does work, but I just don't think it's very user friendly for Beta testers like myself. I would like to be able to install the extensions from the listing page like other users would be able to. All I would like them to do is include a setting in each user's profile page that can disable this. leland wrote:
Ryan, you should look at The Guru’s comment closer and try it yourself. I checked it this morning and you can access the files like before using this method. It is more of a hassle, but it will work. The history you get includes the latest version all the way back to the earliest versions in their archive. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no fan of the new site, but using the “Advanced Details” does work.

It definitely does work, but I just don’t think it’s very user friendly for Beta testers like myself. I would like to be able to install the extensions from the listing page like other users would be able to. All I would like them to do is include a setting in each user’s profile page that can disable this.

]]> By: Change http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-134054 Change Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:56:49 +0000 http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-134054 Just found another issue: I usually check the changelog of extensions when a new version has been released, which used to be "open add-on page, read". Now it's "open add-on page, scroll, find button to click and click it to open the details, read". I wish it would remember your preferences for stuff like this. It is hardship when you do that every day (on average).. Just found another issue: I usually check the changelog of extensions when a new version has been released, which used to be “open add-on page, read”. Now it’s “open add-on page, scroll, find button to click and click it to open the details, read”. I wish it would remember your preferences for stuff like this.

It is hardship when you do that every day (on average)..

]]> By: Asa Dotzler http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133993 Asa Dotzler Sat, 29 Mar 2008 23:37:53 +0000 http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133993 I'm really confused by the people saying that clicking the "Complete Version History" link is such a hardship. The site is clearly optimized for people who won't need this and power-users and nightly build users should be able to get exactly what they need by clicking an extra link (or two). Just doesn't seem like hardship to me. I’m really confused by the people saying that clicking the “Complete Version History” link is such a hardship. The site is clearly optimized for people who won’t need this and power-users and nightly build users should be able to get exactly what they need by clicking an extra link (or two). Just doesn’t seem like hardship to me.

]]> By: leland http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133937 leland Fri, 28 Mar 2008 19:32:15 +0000 http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133937 Ryan, you should look at The Guru's comment closer and try it yourself. I checked it this morning and you can access the files like before using this method. It is more of a hassle, but it will work. The history you get includes the latest version all the way back to the earliest versions in their archive. Don't get me wrong, I'm no fan of the new site, but using the "Advanced Details" does work. Ryan, you should look at The Guru’s comment closer and try it yourself. I checked it this morning and you can access the files like before using this method. It is more of a hassle, but it will work. The history you get includes the latest version all the way back to the earliest versions in their archive. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no fan of the new site, but using the “Advanced Details” does work.

]]> By: Ryan http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133932 Ryan Fri, 28 Mar 2008 19:04:22 +0000 http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133932 [div id=commentquote]<a href="#comment-133895" rel="nofollow">The Guru wrote:</a><blockquote>Try visiting the “Advanced Details” section and take a look at the Complete Version History link - it includes all available versions and doesn’t do the smart detection so that testers, developers and others can download any version of an add-on (for whatever OS platform and edition of Firefox) you want without the hassle.</blockquote>[/div] That may work, but it definitely isn't "without the hassle." I've talked to a lot of my friends about this, and I think I've come to the conclusion that they shouldn't be checking pre-release versions against extension compatibility. If people are running final versions of the browser then that's okay, but almost anyone running pre-release versions will be running into this problem. [div id=commentquote]<a href="#comment-133906" rel="nofollow">Mris wrote:</a><blockquote>Disabling JavaScript fixed most of my problems but I wish they hadn’t removed the discussions.</blockquote>[/div] I noticed that too, but I shouldn't have to disable JavaScript to bypass the checking. This is removing the "user friendly" element of the site. [div id=commentquote]<a href="#comment-133919" rel="nofollow">Tinhed wrote:</a><blockquote>Mozilla seems to be making a move towards making the extension site more friendly towards newbies, while keeping the pro users in a lurch. i think they should launch two versions of their site, just like yahoo did with their webmail.</blockquote>[/div] I agree. They need to realize that trying to attract newbies to the site is understandable, but there are a lot of power users that have helped make the browser what it is today. And now it's almost as if they are leaving us in the dark? It's actually rather discouraging. The Guru wrote:
Try visiting the “Advanced Details” section and take a look at the Complete Version History link - it includes all available versions and doesn’t do the smart detection so that testers, developers and others can download any version of an add-on (for whatever OS platform and edition of Firefox) you want without the hassle.

That may work, but it definitely isn’t “without the hassle.” I’ve talked to a lot of my friends about this, and I think I’ve come to the conclusion that they shouldn’t be checking pre-release versions against extension compatibility. If people are running final versions of the browser then that’s okay, but almost anyone running pre-release versions will be running into this problem.

Mris wrote:
Disabling JavaScript fixed most of my problems but I wish they hadn’t removed the discussions.

I noticed that too, but I shouldn’t have to disable JavaScript to bypass the checking. This is removing the “user friendly” element of the site.

Tinhed wrote:
Mozilla seems to be making a move towards making the extension site more friendly towards newbies, while keeping the pro users in a lurch. i think they should launch two versions of their site, just like yahoo did with their webmail.

I agree. They need to realize that trying to attract newbies to the site is understandable, but there are a lot of power users that have helped make the browser what it is today. And now it’s almost as if they are leaving us in the dark? It’s actually rather discouraging.

]]> By: Tinhed http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133919 Tinhed Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:01:07 +0000 http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133919 Manually changing the user agent is a pretty complicated thing and most people would not like to do that. Mozilla seems to be making a move towards making the extension site more friendly towards newbies, while keeping the pro users in a lurch. i think they should launch two versions of their site, just like yahoo did with their webmail. Manually changing the user agent is a pretty complicated thing and most people would not like to do that. Mozilla seems to be making a move towards making the extension site more friendly towards newbies, while keeping the pro users in a lurch. i think they should launch two versions of their site, just like yahoo did with their webmail.

]]> By: leland http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133916 leland Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:38:24 +0000 http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133916 Thanks for the hint on Advanced Details > Expand, that worked great. Now I can at least be content for the moment that this is a workable solution for most of the things I don't like about the new setup. Thanks for the hint on Advanced Details > Expand, that worked great. Now I can at least be content for the moment that this is a workable solution for most of the things I don’t like about the new setup.

]]> By: Mris http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133906 Mris Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:40:38 +0000 http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133906 I think the new site looks pretty and fresh but I'm disappointed that they decided to hide much of the info advanced users need. Disabling JavaScript fixed most of my problems but I wish they hadn't removed the discussions. I can understand the reasoning that most extension authors have their own support forums or use Mozillazine but for me the discussions were very useful and easy way to see whether there were any problems with the extension. Also the new ratings system isn't very good in my localization, people don't use the word love very casually in Finnish language and definitely not in relation to a computer program. I think the new site looks pretty and fresh but I’m disappointed that they decided to hide much of the info advanced users need. Disabling JavaScript fixed most of my problems but I wish they hadn’t removed the discussions. I can understand the reasoning that most extension authors have their own support forums or use Mozillazine but for me the discussions were very useful and easy way to see whether there were any problems with the extension.

Also the new ratings system isn’t very good in my localization, people don’t use the word love very casually in Finnish language and definitely not in relation to a computer program.

]]> By: Change http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133903 Change Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:15:11 +0000 http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133903 I suppose that makes sense, to put it in the advanced details, but it's 2 extra clicks to download an extension then :| Their sort doesn't really work well on the overview pages, perhaps that's why it's not available on the search results pages? (while going from page to page, sorted by rating, very often I would see the same extension listed again and again - it seems as if they're almost shown randomly :? ) I suppose that makes sense, to put it in the advanced details, but it’s 2 extra clicks to download an extension then :|

Their sort doesn’t really work well on the overview pages, perhaps that’s why it’s not available on the search results pages? (while going from page to page, sorted by rating, very often I would see the same extension listed again and again - it seems as if they’re almost shown randomly :? )

]]> By: The Guru http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133895 The Guru Fri, 28 Mar 2008 04:21:32 +0000 http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133895 This comment was left on my blog by Basil Hashem from Mozilla Extension Guru, Try visiting the "Advanced Details" section and take a look at the Complete Version History link - it includes all available versions and doesn't do the smart detection so that testers, developers and others can download any version of an add-on (for whatever OS platform and edition of Firefox) you want without the hassle. This comment was left on my blog by Basil Hashem from Mozilla

Extension Guru,

Try visiting the “Advanced Details” section and take a look at the Complete Version History link - it includes all available versions and doesn’t do the smart detection so that testers, developers and others can download any version of an add-on (for whatever OS platform and edition of Firefox) you want without the hassle.

]]> By: Stephen http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133889 Stephen Fri, 28 Mar 2008 02:37:36 +0000 http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133889 Presumably, the way to get around the blocking of "incompatible" add ons is to access the site with a different browser, download the add on to your desktop, and then drag and drop it into your extensions menu. Ironic and pretty ridiculous that you have to use something like Internet Explorer to circumvent the over-nannying of the FF site. The other thing is that this nannying is pointless anyway as: - If you try to install an extension that is not compatible with your version of FF, it will tell you and refuse to install it. - You can edit the install file to change the compatibility permissions so that your version of FF *thinks* the extension is compatible. (This is particularly useful with extensions that are no longer in development and, for example, might only claim to be compatible with versions up to 1.5.0.*, but can actually quite happily run on your FF2 with a little help of this nature.) Presumably, the way to get around the blocking of “incompatible” add ons is to access the site with a different browser, download the add on to your desktop, and then drag and drop it into your extensions menu. Ironic and pretty ridiculous that you have to use something like Internet Explorer to circumvent the over-nannying of the FF site.

The other thing is that this nannying is pointless anyway as:

- If you try to install an extension that is not compatible with your version of FF, it will tell you and refuse to install it.
- You can edit the install file to change the compatibility permissions so that your version of FF *thinks* the extension is compatible. (This is particularly useful with extensions that are no longer in development and, for example, might only claim to be compatible with versions up to 1.5.0.*, but can actually quite happily run on your FF2 with a little help of this nature.)

]]> By: New AMO Launched « Firefox Extension Guru’s Blog http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133881 New AMO Launched « Firefox Extension Guru’s Blog Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:00:55 +0000 http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133881 [...] News Source: CyberNet News [...] [...] News Source: CyberNet News [...]

]]> By: The Guru http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133878 The Guru Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:25:10 +0000 http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133878 Yikes, disabling the downloading of incompatible add-ons could make a huge difference in how I setup Firefox 3 Beta 5 when it comes out. Bad move Mozilla. :evil: Yikes, disabling the downloading of incompatible add-ons could make a huge difference in how I setup Firefox 3 Beta 5 when it comes out. Bad move Mozilla. :evil:

]]> By: Ryan http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133864 Ryan Thu, 27 Mar 2008 22:18:42 +0000 http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133864 Looks as though most of you agree with me that Mozilla should not be disabling the download of add-ons for everyone. I think what they should do is offer this as an option that you can disable in the settings for a particular user account, or they could make it a setting that is stored in the browser's cookies. Maybe I'll look into making a bookmarklet that will re-enable the download links. Looks as though most of you agree with me that Mozilla should not be disabling the download of add-ons for everyone. I think what they should do is offer this as an option that you can disable in the settings for a particular user account, or they could make it a setting that is stored in the browser’s cookies.

Maybe I’ll look into making a bookmarklet that will re-enable the download links.

]]> By: Change http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133858 Change Thu, 27 Mar 2008 21:18:07 +0000 http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133858 Ouch, search not improved, newest/most recently updated gone, possibility to download be it not for the version you're currently running taken out.. that doesn't sound like an improvement to me. Looks can make a nice first impression and help with the initial marketing, but what about after? Besides, weren't users supposed to start searching for add-ons from within Firefox now? Why not let powerusers use the site in advanced ways? Sounds like it's mostly a new skin while they needed a backend refresh.. disappointing really. Ouch, search not improved, newest/most recently updated gone, possibility to download be it not for the version you’re currently running taken out.. that doesn’t sound like an improvement to me. Looks can make a nice first impression and help with the initial marketing, but what about after?

Besides, weren’t users supposed to start searching for add-ons from within Firefox now? Why not let powerusers use the site in advanced ways?

Sounds like it’s mostly a new skin while they needed a backend refresh.. disappointing really.

]]> By: Mohan http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133855 Mohan Thu, 27 Mar 2008 21:06:51 +0000 http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133855 Looks very good and the search is fast. Looks very good and the search is fast.

]]> By: leland http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133852 leland Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:49:54 +0000 http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133852 I take that back. I did find a link for one extension, but it was a broken link. It seems they have taken away the link for previous versions. I'm really starting to dislike this new add-ons site. I take that back. I did find a link for one extension, but it was a broken link. It seems they have taken away the link for previous versions. I’m really starting to dislike this new add-ons site.

]]> By: Arthur W. Schaefer http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133849 Arthur W. Schaefer Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:12:34 +0000 http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133849 Just for the record, I very much dislike the new site format for themes and add-ons. While it looks cute and cool it takes a goodly number of paging to get anywhere. It also no longer has the two features that I use to use the most. (1) What is newest; and (2) What has been most recently updated. I hate it when I lose capabilities and I hope Monzilla is not taking the currently populist form over function route. Just for the record, I very much dislike the new site format for themes and add-ons. While it looks cute and cool it takes a goodly number of paging to get anywhere. It also no longer has the two features that I use to use the most. (1) What is newest; and (2) What has been most recently updated. I hate it when I lose capabilities and I hope Monzilla is not taking the currently populist form over function route.

]]> By: xpgeek http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133848 xpgeek Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:51:00 +0000 http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133848 I don’t like it really. It won’t let me download “incompatible” addons AT ALL now, unless I manually change my useragent. Should be a way around that for people who know what they’re doing (example being I KNOW that addon works in latest Minefield nightly and I know how to use it, but can’t download it now). Doesn’t tell you what the compatible versions are anymore either so I just have to take a wild guess as to what to change my useragent to. I don’t like it really. It won’t let me download “incompatible” addons AT ALL now, unless I manually change my useragent. Should be a way around that for people who know what they’re doing (example being I KNOW that addon works in latest Minefield nightly and I know how to use it, but can’t download it now). Doesn’t tell you what the compatible versions are anymore either so I just have to take a wild guess as to what to change my useragent to.

]]> By: Mozilla Launches New Firefox Add-on Site http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133844 Mozilla Launches New Firefox Add-on Site Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:05:17 +0000 http://cybernetnews.com/2008/03/27/new-firefox-add-ons-site-launches/#comment-133844 [...] Source [...] [...] Source [...]

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