New add-ons system is making the browser less useful
I am curios to know if there are any actual benefits to the new add-ons system in firefox 57.
The reason I ask is because every add-on that I find useful, and use firefox for (instead of chrome) seems to be breaking or becoming substantially less useful in anticipation of firefox 57.
The irony of this is the only reason I use firefox currently is Because it doesn't have gutless extensions like all chromium based browser, It actually has useful ones. But instead of continuing to allow decent extensions we are going to have all neutered versions like in chrome?
This compels me to do one of 2 things, Either stop firefox from updating, as well as the extensions (after installing older versions and telling them not to update), Or just start using a different browser.
The reason I suggested this browser to my 100s of customers and a multitude of businesses was specifically because of it's elaborate and powerful plugins, but if this system is turning into the plugin system similar to chrome I have no compelling reason to suggest it.
All Replies (4)
There are many reasons for the change. 1st is the w3c.org (World Wide Web Consortium) that makes the the rules and practises and standards, future for web browsers and web pages and how to use the new tech in code. Mozilla adheres to the rules set.
Other reasons are : https://blog.mozilla.org/firefox/new-firefox-add-ons/ and https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2016/03/14/webextensons-whats-in-it-for-developers/ and https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2015/08/21/the-future-of-developing-firefox-add-ons/ see the chapter on Web Applications : https://books.google.ca/books?id=5rWeiZu1f7QC&pg=PA157&lpg=PA157&dq=firefox+benefits+to+the+new+add-ons+system&source=bl&ots=vgLXWkQbTC&sig=giDnP_A864mOuQdFWwxVvhm-b0E&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwid7v22s63XAhXJjlQKHfgvCKQQ6AEITDAG#v=onepage&q=firefox%20benefits%20to%20the%20new%20add-ons%20system&f=false
So yes is more like Chrome but the Extensions/plugins with Firefox will be as usual, more to choose from, no store, and there will be plenty of comparable plugins so your not limited in choice and functionality.
This holds true with the engine Firefox is built on and Open Source so that you have a choice of using Mozilla/Firefox based browsers (rather old list) https://www.howtogeek.com/108608/6-alternative-browsers-based-on-mozilla-firefox/
Also who would want Google owning even more data on you than they already have. First and as always fore most reason to never use Chrome.
Note : Firefox 57 Quantum release date Nov 14th https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/quantum/ Note : Legacy Extensions will be disabled and or removed.
Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.
An gyara daga Shadow110
Thanks for the reply,
I realize part of the problem here is also the plugins getting ready for the later version and in-turn not working in the current version, plus bug fixes, etc. Not to mention that but a more straight-forward system for developers is quite important.
Just kinda feels like some of the things that had drawn people to the browser are now being limited, It will be curios to see the impact this has on users, I wonder how many will stick through the deployment process with this. Personally I have already reverted my breaking plugins and disabled their updates. I'll likely avoid updating as long as I can get away with it. :/
You say that there will be plenty of comparable extensions, but everything I read tells me that there will be nothing like Classic Theme Restorer.
I need this to replace icons with labels - I suffer from sensory overload and the presence of multiple brightly coloured icons is overwhelming.
Please tell me how I will be able to remove icons (on menus, toolbars, tabs etc.) in Firefox 57
I have used FIrefox before it was Firefox. Sure they had a few bumps but was usually fixed. Version 57 so far is a cluster f***! Nothing works and from what I have been reading Mozilla don't care. There are extensions I have used for years and now they are a threat, and no good?
Support says there are extensions that meets Mozillas standards. Guess what support... there isn't!
Version 57 has now become a resource hog. And will crash if you don't close it and release the memory and start all over.
Chrome or *shudder* IE/Edge seems to be the better alternative the more I try to use FF