| Author |
Topic: Firefox extension installation |
Mitch Drumm
From:
Frostbite Falls, hard by Veronica Lake
|
Posted 14 Jul 2009 7:07 pm |
|
I am trying Firefox 3.5 and so far so good.
Apparently, it has no built in capability (icon of some type) to check Thunderbird mail. So I guess you have to use an extension. I see extra icons at view/toolbars/customize, but none pertain to mail.
I am using the Getmail extension and it seems to work OK.
http://webdesigns.ms11.net/getmail.html.
Issue 1: I found this extension only through a google search. If I look in Firefox tools/add-ons and search, I can't find it. Is this normal behavior--eg, is there no centralized location for ALL extensions?
Issue 2: I installed Getmail through a link on the developer's page shown above and it worked OK. The developer also has a link to download the app, which I also did out of curiosity.
The download is an XPI file, which I have learned is a compressed file that I can unpack with 7-zip.
Unpacking results in 4 files and a chrome folder that contains a single file. I have poked all 5 files and the only one Windows will open is the readme.txt, which tells me nothing relevant.
The question is: how do you manually install a Firefox extension after downloading it?
If that developer had not had an install link at his site, would I have been unable to use his application, eg, is there no way to manually install an extension from Windows Explorer like you would with the typical exe? |
|
|
 |
Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
|
Posted 14 Jul 2009 8:20 pm
|
|
Mitch;
Firefox recognizes .xpi files as Firefox installer packages. If you drag and drop an .xpi onto a Firefox icon, or open browser window, the xpi will initiate its installer.
I can only guess that the Firefox community has not inspected that add-on yet, thus it is not available though their secure, virus checked channel. While most add-ons are harmless, it's possible to make one that contains malware or vbs scripts.
It is also possible for users to alter one of the files packed into an xpi cabinet. I have hacked a few add-ons to make them appear compatible with new versions of Firefox. Sometimes the authors do the same thing if that's all that's needed to get them to work. I may need to do that when I upgrade to FF 3.5.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog
Last edited by Wiz Feinberg on 14 Jul 2009 9:13 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
|
|
Mitch Drumm
From:
Frostbite Falls, hard by Veronica Lake
|
Posted 14 Jul 2009 9:10 pm
|
|
Wiz:
Thanks for the reply. I will file your instructions away.
I assume you and others get their extensions almost entirely from searching at tools/addons and that there is no other standard source?
I am guessing it is probably a good idea to use as few extensions as possible? I am grazing at the Thunderbird forum (Mozilla Zine) and see quite a few complaints about them. Not surprising I guess, since as I understand open source, there is no centralized development staff and it's kind of an "at your own risk" deal.
At this point, Get Mail is my only extension and I hope to keep it that way. |
|
|
|
Chip Fossa
From:
Monson, MA, USA (deceased)
|
Posted 15 Jul 2009 3:52 am
|
|
Mitch,
Maybe I'm missing something here, but I simply have the TB icon next to the Mailwasher icon located in the bottom right corner of the desktop.
I have any open webscreen diminished just enough to reveal the entire row of bottom icons, so accessing them is a snap.
What I don't get, I guess, is why you would want to access TB via FF? When it's just as easy to access from the desktop.
_________________
Chip
Williams U-12 8X5; Keyless; Natural Blonde Laquer. |
|
|
|
Mitch Drumm
From:
Frostbite Falls, hard by Veronica Lake
|
Posted 15 Jul 2009 4:10 am
|
|
Chip:
By habit, I rarely keep applications running if I am not using them. I realize I could keep Tbird running and minimized, but I have never done that. I've only got 2 icons showing in my system tray and that's all I want.
This Getmail extension puts an icon about the size of a pencil eraser on the bookmarks toolbar. Poke it and Tbird opens.
Now, I am having some issues with this forum not remembering my log in. I thought I had it solved by selecting "log me in on every visit", but that went away in the last hour also. I had to supply my log in and password again to post this.
With IE, I did NOT choose to log in with each visit, but my log in name was already filled out in the username box and my password was shown by asterisks or a series of dots, so I could log in with only a couple of mouse clicks, no keyboard. That apparently is not an option with Tbird.
I see that Tbird has a section re saved passwords and maybe I have to fiddle with it. |
|
|
|
Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
|
Posted 15 Jul 2009 7:25 am
|
|
Mitch;
Check your cookies settings, under Tools > Options > Privacy. You must allow cookies to be set and to remain active to avoid logging in each visit. Make sure the Forum login has been remembered.
Sometimes, Firefox can get confused when you don't automatically login to a website and a default password appears in the login box. When that happens I open my options, then the Security tab, then I search for logins based on the website name. If I find multiple logins I select to reveal passwords, then delete the bad logins. This usually fixes things.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
|
|
|
Cal Sharp
From:
the farm in Kornfield Kounty, TN
|
|
|
|
Chip Fossa
From:
Monson, MA, USA (deceased)
|
Posted 15 Jul 2009 9:54 am
|
|
Yeah,
I find that FF frequently loses my name and password for the Forum; even after checking 'remember'.
Thanks for the tip Wiz, I'll have to do the same in Securities.
Mitch, I only have 3 icons in my TASKBAR. But I have 17 icons that run along my screen just above the taskbar; the 1st two to the very right are Thunderbird & Mailwasher. I never open up any email program, now, without first opening up Mailwasher.
Half of the time I never open up TB at all, as I can access the Forum Alerts right from MW. Then I just delete and closeout MW. The same pattern goes for all emails.
Sure helps to keep the clutter down on your email. FWIW
I'm not sure if TB & MW are running? I don't think so; until I click on them. I know Trend Micro is always running.
_________________
Chip
Williams U-12 8X5; Keyless; Natural Blonde Laquer. |
|
|
|
