Splash of Style...Macs, Photography, Design, and other Passions

Moving Thunderbird Profile to New Computer

February 27, 2008 by debbie T | Firefox Browser • Mac Software • Thunderbird Email

For some reason, the last time I moved my Thunderbird profile, it didn’t work very well.

Firefox is very easy to move; I just drag the whole Firefox folder from my back up to the Library folder in Finder (Mac OS X). Thunderbird used to work that way as well.

I found this article explaining the proper way to move a profile: Moving your profile folder

Make sure to also check out the article on how to start the profile manager too: Accessing the Profile Manager

SOS - Invites & Comments for Flickr

October 11, 2007 by debbie T | Digital Photography • Firefox Browser • Flickr

The SOS - Invites & Comments for Flickr is a special Greasemonkey script for Firefox browser users. When installed, the script creates two drop down menus to post various Flickr group "invite" and "vote" html codes into photo comments.

It is based on the original SIC script, which I found it to be very helpful. Unfortunately, the script didn’t include some of my favorite group codes, and some of the existing code was out of date.

So, I decided to edit the script to fit my needs better, adding more group codes and updating the existing ones. After testing it for a few weeks, I am ready to share it with other Flickr users.

Learn more about my SOS - Invites & Comments for Flickr script.

Extending Flickr Experience With Firefox

September 29, 2007 by debbie T | Digital Photography • Firefox Browser • Flickr

I have been using Flickr for years, but just recently I have become much more active in the community. I have found a few tools that have made my experience at Flickr much more efficient.

Read the Rest of the Article

Where are Firefox Plugins Installed

August 21, 2007 by debbie T | Firefox Browser • Mac Software

This was driving me crazy. I couldn’t find any information or preference/setting on the plugins used in Firefox, specifically the Flash plugin. How could I tell which version was installed on my system.

After googling, I finally found this page.

To view the list of plugins and their versions, type “about:plugins” (minus the quote marks) into the address bar in Firefox.

Hmm, now I just found this article and it states that plugins are supposed to be installed in the “Internet Plug-ins” folder found in the Library. That folder is empty on my system!

Ha! I found ‘em! I was looking in my own Library! Take a look at the main Library folder (Macintosh HD) and they are all there! And in case you didn’t realize, the Internet Plugins folder is accessible to all browsers, so Safari will use these plugin files as well, and I assume Opera would too.

Upgrade to Firefox 2 - SessionSaver Extension

June 9, 2007 by debbie T | Firefox Browser • Mac Software

I finally felt confident to upgrade my Mac PowerBook to Firefox 2 (version 2.0.0.4 to be exact) and it did seem to go smoothly.

Before the upgrade, I moved my 1.5 app file into a new sub-folder in the Applications folder (Mac OS X users only) just in case I needed to revert.

After the upgrade, I found one issue (besides the funky keyboard shortcut issue with Wordpress 2 - see my other article) with the SessionSaver extension. I couldn’t find my list of “SnapBack Tab” recently deleted tabs. Normally it is found under the Tools menu.

I am lost without the Snapback Tab feature, as I frequently close tabs and realize that I need to view them again. Yes, I can use the Undo Closed Tab option, but I prefer the Snapback Tab feature much more.

I tried launching Firefox 1.5 instead, and still no luck finding it. I think there might have even been a notice in Firefox 1.5 that the newly updated version of SessionSaver wouldn’t run in this older version.

I closed all instances of Firefox and found the extensions folder that was backed up prior to the upgrade. I replaced the folder in my Firefox profile folder, then re-launched Firefox 1.5. Checking the Tools menu, yep, there it was.

Okay, now close Firefox 1.5, and launch Firefox 2. Go through the process of upgrading extensions again, then view the Tools menu. Not there.

I checked SessionSaver preferences, and the checkbox next to “Allow me to reopen tabs” was checked.

The solution was to UNcheck the box, click OK, then go back into Preferences, and check it again. That worked, and my precious Snapback Tab was back in the the Tools menu!

If you haven’t used the SessionSaver extension yet, try it. I love it!

WordPress 2 Keyboard Shortcuts Using Firefox 2

June 9, 2007 by debbie T | Firefox Browser • Mac Software • WordPress

I recently upgraded to Firefox 2 on my Mac PowerBook. All seemed well, but I did keep an instance of Firefox 1.5 in my Applications folder just in case.

When posting in WordPress 2 using the simple text editor, I had been utilizing keyboard shortcuts for various html codes, such as the <a>anchor link</a> - which was Ctrl+Command+a.

Since upgrading to Firefox 2, the keyboard shortcuts did not work. They did work normally in Safari.

I searched online for answers, but no one else seemed to be having this issue. Finally, by trial and error, I realized that the keyboard shortcut was now fn+ctrl+a. I have no idea why it changed, but I am glad to have this feature again!

Firefox Lost My Bookmarks

May 6, 2007 by debbie T | Firefox Browser

I have heard many users complain that Firefox lost their bookmarks for some reason or another. It can probably happen to anyone, although it has never happened to me. I don’t know if I am lucky, or perhaps it is because I empty the cache regularly.

(Read Mozilla’s Troubleshooting article on Lost Bookmarks)

Find Your Bookmarks & Resore Them

On a Windows XP system, it should be easy to find your bookmarks file, then restore it.

  1. In the My Computer directory/folder, choose the C: Drive.
  2. Choose the Documents and Settings folder;
  3. Then your user folder (what ever your user name is, there will be a folder for it)
  4. Next, Application Data folder
  5. Choose Firefox
  6. Then choose the Profiles folder.

IMPORTANT: If you do not see the Application Data, your system is probably not set up to view hidden files/folders. In that case, while in My Computer (or any Windows Explorer window), choose Tools > Folder Options > View > select the radio button next to Show hidden files and folders. The Application Data folder should now be viewable.

For Windows Vista users, follow this path to find the Firefox profile folder:

In My Computer, choose the C: drive:

  1. Then, Users
  2. Then your user folder (what ever your user name is, there will be a folder for it)
  3. Followed by AppData
  4. Roaming
  5. Mozilla
  6. Firefox
  7. Profiles

IMPORTANT: If you do not see the AppData folder, your system is probably not set up to view hidden files/folders. In that case, while in My Computer (or any Windows Explorer window), choose Organize > Folder and Search Options > Folder Options > View > select the radio button next to Show hidden files and folders. The AppData folder should now be viewable.

For Mac OS X Users,

  1. Launch the Finder
  2. The bookmarks.html file is found in your user Library
  3. Choose Application Support
  4. Then Firefox
  5. Next Profiles

If you lost your first profile, it is possible Firefox created a new one, so there could be two (or more) profile folders, you will have to check both of them for the specific bookmarks file you want.

Look for bookmarks.html; double click to open it, and it should launch the file in Firefox. If not, right click on the file and choose Open with>Firefox.

Check over the contents, and if it looks like all your original bookmarks, that is the file you want to backup.

Copy and paste the bookmarks.html file into your My Documents folder for save keeping.

Note: It is possible that Firefox might automatically back up your bookmarks for you….in that profile, you might also see a folder named “bookmarkbackups.” Open that folder, and check to see if one of those backup .html files contains all your original bookmarks.

Import Bookmarks Back into Firefox

Okay, now that your bookmarks file is safely backed up to your My Documents, you can easily import it back into Firefox.

While Firefox is open, choose Bookmarks>Organize Bookmarks. This will launch the Bookmark Manager.

  1. In the Manager window, choose File>Import
  2. Choose “From File”
  3. Navigate to the file you copied into My Documents, and choose that file.
  4. Click Open

This will import all the bookmarks from that file into Firefox.

Lesson learned: back up your Firefox bookmarks on a regular basis, and even if Firefox crashes and loses your bookmarks, you can easily restore the backup file.

Backing Up Firefox Bookmarks

An easy way to back up your Firefox bookmarks, in the Bookmark Manager, (remember? choose Bookmarks>Organize Bookmarks)

Choose File>Export

This will create a copy of the bookmarks.html file - navigate to the location on your hard drive where you keep your backup files.

Suggestion: save it in My Documents in a sub-folder named “Firefox Bookmarks.” Include the date when you name the file (ie bookmarks-05-06-07.html) so you know at a glance how old your back up is. Keep several backup files in case one doesn’t work.

Hopefully it won’t happen again, but if Firefox loses your bookmarks in the future, follow the same import instructions listed above.

Export your bookmarks every week or month, and also remember to back up the files to a CD or an external hard drive in case your hard drive dies.

Moving Your Firefox Files to a New Computer

NEW TIP: If you are moving to a new computer or reinstalling your operating system, it is easy to save your Firefox bookmarks, cookies, passwords, preferences, extensions, themes, etc.

Find the whole Firefox folder (including the profile subfolder) and just drag it to a CD or USB Flash drive for safe keeping.

On your new system, after you install Firefox, delete the newly created Firefox folder, and drag over the saved folder from your backup. Launch Firefox and your browser should be as it was.

Mac OS X users, you might also need to copy/save your preference file. Found in Library>Preferences> copy the file named “org.mozilla.firefox.plist” and replace it on the new system.

Good luck!

Firefox Cheat Sheet

June 20, 2006 by debbie T | Firefox Browser

Found this on digg.comthis morning.

This cheat sheet for Firefox will be very handy.

Firefox Flicks

April 11, 2006 by debbie T | Art and Graphics • Firefox Browser

Have you checked out Firefox Flicks? Awesome ads made by Firefox fans! There are only three ads, but I hope more are coming. Very clever!! My favorite is the Double Click Relief.

iTunes and My Mom

March 17, 2006 by debbie T | Firefox Browser • Internet • Mac Software

Well now that my Mom is on a high speed cable connection, I thought it was time to introduce her to iTunes.

Yesterday, I installed the iTunes application, and configured the preferences.

Then I proceeded to explain to her a little bit about podcasts, and how iTunes can be used to organize all her CDs.

I added a subscription to the Pray As You Go podcast; I showed her where the “update” button was, and when she clicked, it would download any new audio files for that podcast.

Next, I explained that iTunes could organize all her CDs, and I showed her how to import a CD. I showed her how to drag ‘n drop her favorite songs into a playlist.

I installed the FoxyTunes extension for Firefox, and found a skin with larger buttons. So now when she is browsing on her new speedy Internet connection, she can launch and control iTunes right in Firefox.

In the past, she had commented so many times that she always forgets to play her CDs while she is working on the computer. Now with all her CDs organized in iTunes, I think she will be able to play her favorite songs without too much trouble.

Today she called me and said “Guess what I am doing” Yep, she was importing a double CD from Barbara Streisand into iTunes and listening to her music! Mom, if you are reading this, I love you, and keep listening!