Replacing extensions with Web Extensions

Discussion of general topics about Mozilla Firefox
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MorpheusUK
Posts: 216
Joined: September 25th, 2003, 3:40 pm

Replacing extensions with Web Extensions

Post by MorpheusUK »

Hi folks,

Well I've been using Firefox since the early Phoenix days and over the years have built up a collection of extensions which have allowed me to tailor it to my tastes. Over the years some have gone or been replaced by others but with the upcoming v57 all will stop working. At this point I am looking for replacement web extensions that will provide similar functionality and to be honest wondering if there is any point in sticking with FF when it might be just as easy to start again with Chrome or Opera. I know I could extract a profile from a pre-55 backup and move to ESR but that's just delaying the inevitable. The only other concrete reason at present I can see for sticking with FireFox is that as i use some Chrome Apps for things like Google Keep I leave Chrome logged in but don't use it for browsing generally and prefer not to let Google have a complete record of my browsing history. I use a combination of Opera and Firefox on Android and have dabbled with it on the desktop in the distant past (when it had the Presto rendering engine around v4 or5 I think) mainly on linux and more recently to sync bookmarks with the mobile version but at the time didn't find anything that made me want to switch. So assuming for the moment that I am going to try and stick with Firefox I want to try and keep as much of my current functionality as possible. Australis itself didn't bother me that much despite using CTR, I simply prefer my forward and back buttons on the left rather than anchored to the URL bar and like a status bar for certain things like NoScript and Cookie Monster but i can live without a lot of the more cosmetic GUI tweaks. This may be an opportunity for a cull of some of the extensions I barely use or can live without but some do provide nice little usability tweaks.

Anyway I currently use the following extensions which I've split into three categories essential, wanted and unimportant Where Web Extensions are available or I know they exists in Chrome I've put that in square brackets for the top two categories. Can anyone here suggest possible web extension replacements for some of these especially the essential and wanted category ones. I'm hoping that between us all we can come up with WebExtensions that provide the same or similar functionality if the original isn't being converted. I am aware of Chrome Store Foxified which might mean that some Chrome extensions can be used as replacements.

ESSENTIAL
- Cookie Monster 1.3.4.8
- HTTPS Everywhere 2017.8.19 [Under development, Chrome]
- NoScript 5.0.9 [Under conversion]
- Print Edit 18.3 [Print Edit WE, Chrome]
- Secure Login (Embedded WebExtension) 0.2.1 [WE]
- Tab Mix Plus 0.5.0.3
- uBlock Origin 1.13.8 [WE, Chrome]

WANTED
- Add Bookmark Here ² 55.0.20170705
- All-in-One Sidebar 0.7.31.1 [Ends with v57]
- Download Status Bar 15.0.0.1
- DownThemAll! 3.0.8 [Ends with v57]
- Master Password+ 1.25 [Ends with v57]
- Open With 6.8.1 (WE beta available)
- Profilist 1.2.2
- Saved Password Editor 2.10.3 [Under conversion]
- Speed Dial 0.9.6.18

UNIMPORTANT
- BBCodeXtra 0.5.4
- BetterPrivacy 1.77
- Brief 2.3.0
- CanvasBlocker 0.3.8-Release
- Classic Theme Restorer 1.6.9.1
- Classic Toolbar Buttons 1.5.8beta2
- CoLT 2.6.7
- DictionarySearch 45.0.0
- DNS Flusher 4.0.0
- Edit Bookmark Plus 2.3.2
- Extension List Dumper 2 1.0.2
- Extension Options Menu 2.18
- FEBE 8.9.3.1
- Foundstone HTML5 Local Storage Explorer 1.1.1-signed.1-signed
- Form History Control 1.4.0.6
- Ghostery 7.3.2.5
- GlassMyFox 1.4.0 (Disabled)
- Go Parent Folder 2.9.1.1-signed.1-signed
- Google Translator for Firefox 2.1.0.5.3
- Greasemonkey 3.11
- Image Zoom 0.6.3.1-signed.1-signed
- Password Exporter 1.3.4
- Private Tab 0.2.2
- Replace Bookmark 1.6.4
- Restart 3.0.2
- RSS Icon In Awesombar 1.4.1-signed.1-signed
- SearchBox Sync 1.4.0.1-signed.1-signed
- SearchWP 3.0
- SettingSanity 1.2
- Shortcuts for Google™ Products 1.1.7
- Show Parent Folder 2.1.1
- Simple Clocks 2.4.5.1-signed.1-signed
- Tweak Network 1.8.1-signed.1-signed
- URL Link 2.04.5
- User Agent Switcher 0.7.3.1-signed.1-signed
- Video DownloadHelper 6.3.1
- ViewAbout 2.1.2
- Zoom Page 15.8
allande
Posts: 188
Joined: July 20th, 2017, 11:58 am

Re: Replacing extensions with Web Extensions

Post by allande »

Tab management extensions are an area where the webextensions API is still being worked on. Eventually some tab extensions may come out, but they are likely not to be the first ones ready when Firefox 57 rolls out.

If all you want from cookie management is a whitelist for cookies to keep, and to allow all other cookies but dump them after every session, that can be done with the built in Firefox features. Set cookies default to "allow for session" and make exceptions only for the ones you want to keep. If you want different then that try this one: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefo ... utodelete/

Download statusbar as a UI changing type of extension is the kind that is likely to never come back. For speed dial see: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefo ... dial-lite/

Download Star is what is being recommended for DownThemAll, although it does not have every feature (such as acceleration) https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefo ... load-star/
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lovemyfoxy
Posts: 2337
Joined: December 11th, 2009, 11:23 am
Location: USA

Re: Replacing extensions with Web Extensions

Post by lovemyfoxy »

2 Desktops--Win 7 Ult.SP1 x64/6GB RAM /Firefox 52.9ESR/Waterfox64 2022.11/Thunderbird 52.9ESR/BitWarden PW Manager/Verizon FIOS wired network
Brummelchen
Posts: 4480
Joined: March 19th, 2005, 10:51 am

Re: Replacing extensions with Web Extensions

Post by Brummelchen »

Chrome Store Foxified
nah, forget this crap.
ESSENTIAL
- Cookie Monster 1.3.4.8 <- replacement
- HTTPS Everywhere 2017.8.19 [Under development, Chrome]
- NoScript 5.0.9 [Under conversion]
- Print Edit 18.3 [Print Edit WE, Chrome]
- Secure Login (Embedded WebExtension) 0.2.1 [WE] <- buggy
- Tab Mix Plus 0.5.0.3 <- not possible, maybe never
- uBlock Origin 1.13.8 [WE, Chrome]

WANTED
- Add Bookmark Here ² 55.0.20170705 <- not present
- All-in-One Sidebar 0.7.31.1 [Ends with v57] <- not possible
- Download Status Bar 15.0.0.1 <- not possible - the exist no more any addiotnal bar
- DownThemAll! 3.0.8 [Ends with v57] <- dead
- Master Password+ 1.25 [Ends with v57] <- dead
- Open With 6.8.1 (WE beta available) <- replacement, maybe
- Profilist 1.2.2 <- not possible
- Saved Password Editor 2.10.3 [Under conversion] <- not possible
- Speed Dial 0.9.6.18 <- replacement: group speed dial

UNIMPORTANT
- BBCodeXtra 0.5.4 <- replacement, currently nothing
- BetterPrivacy 1.77 <- dead
- Brief 2.3.0 <- dead
- CanvasBlocker 0.3.8-Release <- replacement
- Classic Theme Restorer 1.6.9.1 <-dead
- Classic Toolbar Buttons 1.5.8beta2 <- dead, never possible!
- CoLT 2.6.7 <- dead
- DictionarySearch 45.0.0 <- dead or replacement
- DNS Flusher 4.0.0 <- dead, not possible
- Edit Bookmark Plus 2.3.2 <- dead
- Extension List Dumper 2 1.0.2 <- replacement -> Sören Hentzschel maybe
- Extension Options Menu 2.18 <- dead
- FEBE 8.9.3.1 <- maybe, not now
- Foundstone HTML5 Local Storage Explorer 1.1.1-signed.1-signed <- "all signed-signed" ist more than dead <- replacement
- Form History Control 1.4.0.6 <- dead
- Ghostery 7.3.2.5 <- pointless with uBlock - dead
- GlassMyFox 1.4.0 (Disabled) <- dead -> userchrome (only win7)
- Go Parent Folder 2.9.1.1-signed.1-signed <- dead. not possible
- Google Translator for Firefox 2.1.0.5.3 <- dead <- replacement
- Greasemonkey 3.11 <- WE already -> vileont monkey is better/faster
- Image Zoom 0.6.3.1-signed.1-signed <- all dead!
- Password Exporter 1.3.4 <- not possible
- Private Tab 0.2.2 <- replacement maybe
- Replace Bookmark 1.6.4 <- dead
- Restart 3.0.2 <-maybe
- RSS Icon In Awesombar 1.4.1-signed.1-signed <-dead!
- SearchBox Sync 1.4.0.1-signed.1-signed <- dead
- SearchWP 3.0 <- ??
- SettingSanity 1.2 <-dead, pointless with ublock
- Shortcuts for Google™ Products 1.1.7 <- dead?
- Show Parent Folder 2.1.1 <- dead! (see go parent folder) not possible
- Simple Clocks 2.4.5.1-signed.1-signed <- dead
- Tweak Network 1.8.1-signed.1-signed <- dead not possible, maybe userscript
- URL Link 2.04.5 <- WE maybe
- User Agent Switcher 0.7.3.1-signed.1-signed <- dead
- Video DownloadHelper 6.3.1 <- dead!
- ViewAbout 2.1.2 <- forbidden
- Zoom Page 15.8 <- maybe WE
the outdated "signed-signed" crap is already dead, author hat dropped it 5 years ago. definetly no update. some are deleted.
at least firefox/servo has reduced user impact on its settings or pages, forget all, what you currently havem start from scratch which is best.

and forget the chromify crap - firefox extensions are nearly same but without a propper conversion none (or very very few only) of them would run.
what you really should forget is a decent tab management. TMP itself wont get WE, the api is missing and wont be inserted. you have to replace it in parts and then you will miss alot.

search chrome store and maybe you will find similar on AMO
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefo ... rm=windows

and forget that v55 is capable to do same as v57.


BTW your avatar is gone:
http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic ... #p14765305
User avatar
MorpheusUK
Posts: 216
Joined: September 25th, 2003, 3:40 pm

Re: Replacing extensions with Web Extensions

Post by MorpheusUK »

Thanks, the account which the avatar was pointing to is long gone, probably near to a decade ago now. It looks like most of the ones that are definitely dead are in my unimportant list which does admittedly contain some historical stuff with a few key exceptions. Thanks for taking the time to go through the list.
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Ngamer01
Posts: 1033
Joined: November 3rd, 2007, 8:37 am
Location: Louisiana

Re: Replacing extensions with Web Extensions

Post by Ngamer01 »

I just want to mention quickly that the RSS reader, Brief, is transitioning to Webextensions. Tanriol is working on fully converting Brief to WE format.

Link if you want to keep up to date: https://github.com/ancestorak/brief/projects
efox99
Posts: 137
Joined: March 24th, 2011, 7:55 pm

Re: Replacing extensions with Web Extensions

Post by efox99 »

MorpheusUK wrote:
ESSENTIAL
- Secure Login (Embedded WebExtension) 0.2.1 [WE]
Why is this addon essential?
Brummelchen
Posts: 4480
Joined: March 19th, 2005, 10:51 am

Re: Replacing extensions with Web Extensions

Post by Brummelchen »

for his personal comfort, whatever - he likes to use it. currently it does not work when Noscript is installed (read comments!)
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WaltS48
Posts: 5141
Joined: May 7th, 2010, 9:38 am
Location: Pennsylvania, USA

Re: Replacing extensions with Web Extensions

Post by WaltS48 »

efox99 wrote:
MorpheusUK wrote:
ESSENTIAL
- Secure Login (Embedded WebExtension) 0.2.1 [WE]
Why is this addon essential?
Well, I was recently using it to generate new passwords and updated some really old passwords.

It's not essential to use to login, but was convenient to just click the button on the toolbar and automatically login.
Linux Desktop - AMD Athlon(tm) II X3 455 3.3GHz | 8.0GB RAM | GeForce GT 630
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efox99
Posts: 137
Joined: March 24th, 2011, 7:55 pm

Re: Replacing extensions with Web Extensions

Post by efox99 »

WaltS48 wrote: It's not essential to use to login, but was convenient to just click the button on the toolbar and automatically login.
Same. But then it stopped working on Ebay and I gave it up. It started to hiccup on other sites too. I just came to the realization that this addon was not a strong necessity since none of my passwords have ever been compromised using the basic firefox password manager.
Zod
Posts: 2
Joined: March 19th, 2016, 4:20 am

Re: Replacing extensions with Web Extensions

Post by Zod »

http://www.downthemall.net/progress/

DownThemAll is coming back as webextension!
Sugoi
Posts: 29
Joined: June 21st, 2015, 7:28 pm

Re: Replacing extensions with Web Extensions

Post by Sugoi »

Zod wrote:http://www.downthemall.net/progress/

DownThemAll is coming back as webextension!
Woah, that's unexpected! Great news! :D
efox99
Posts: 137
Joined: March 24th, 2011, 7:55 pm

Re: Replacing extensions with Web Extensions

Post by efox99 »

Zod wrote:http://www.downthemall.net/progress/

DownThemAll is coming back as webextension!
I thought the dev was done after that angry letter to Mozilla?
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MorpheusUK
Posts: 216
Joined: September 25th, 2003, 3:40 pm

Re: Replacing extensions with Web Extensions

Post by MorpheusUK »

Great news about DTA, as for Secure login being under my essential list, well mainly because I use it constantly and it's extremely convenient, you could argue that it's not essential in the true sense of the word but it forms a major part of my browsing experience.
cookie365
Posts: 126
Joined: February 21st, 2005, 1:23 pm

Re: Replacing extensions with Web Extensions

Post by cookie365 »

MorpheusUK wrote:Great news about DTA, as for Secure login being under my essential list, well mainly because I use it constantly and it's extremely convenient, you could argue that it's not essential in the true sense of the word but it forms a major part of my browsing experience.
downthemall.net is currently down. Doesn't bode well.

Given how much FF users make use of extensions I'm astonished that Mozilla seem to be just leaving it all up to users to try to figure out replacements under FF57.
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