Several months ago, I mentioned that when I browse the web, I often find that I want the ability to reopen the set of browser tabs that I have open at a later time. I mentioned then that I often chose the option to bookmark all tabs, and give the bookmark folder in which these bookmarks are to be stored a name that is based on the date that this new folder for storing these bookmarks was created. Although I noted then that doing this leads to clutter in my bookmarks, it was something that I continued to do. In fact, I did this so often, I wanted to be able to automate this process. This is a process that can be automated via a Firefox extension, so I began work on an extension that could perform this task.
It was only after I began writing this extension that I discovered that an extension that performs this task already existed. This extension, titled “Bookmark All”, can also be used to quickly bookmark all open tabs and store them in a bookmark folder whose name contains the date the folder was created. However, this extension is not compatible with Firefox 3. There are some extensions that can be easily upgraded so that they will work with Firefox 3. However, this extension was not one of them. So after seeing that at least a few individuals wanted this extension to be compatible with Firefox 3, I made this extension work with Firefox 3.
This extension is about as basic as Firefox extensions get. It only adds options to menus for creating these bookmark folders, and it has no configuration options. In future versions of the extension, there may be options for adjusting the format of the names of the folders created by the extension. There may also be an option for informing the user when the bookmarking of tabs is complete. Options for sorting tabs in a particular order in the folder could also be included. This extension does what I would like it to do at this time. However, I would like it to be useful to as many people as possible by adding features its users would want.
At this time, this extension is considered experimental at addons.mozilla.org. However, you may install this extension if you have an account on addons.mozilla.org. You may click here to visit the page on AMO where this extension can be found. This is the first Firefox extension that I have written, and it may appear to be one that was written by someone who was only beginning to learn about writing Firefox extensions. Feedback on what I have written is welcome as always. I would like to know how I can make improvements to this extension, as newer versions of it will be released in the future.
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30 Comments
HEY, You seem like a real smart cookie for sure- I wish I could understand half of what you know… anyway, I love the idea of the CURRENT BOOKMARK TAB SET, and it should be updated right away to match the latest firefox version. COME TO MY URL LISTED and you can download a favorite of mine that is no longer active in the public light called BROADPAGE browser. IT SAVES TAB SETS AS “LAYOUTS” ! I wish you could give this a workover and make it like firefox with add-ons. It uses the IE engine. I mention it to you not only for this but because you seem like the type that would really enjoy it. I wish it would do duel scroll like one of the firefox addons though. You see, it cries out for updating, and yes it’s copyrighted – probably for the method of multi-screen browsing. I have a review on my page from the year 2000. I’d love your opinion of this fabulous program – and I’ve just given you a million dollar idea. Cut me in when you’ve developed it…. write me when you’ve checked it out! thanks – FRANK in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Hello, and thank you for the compliments. I will take the time to consider what you suggested, and I may write about it at a later time.
Hi Jake,
When i try to install your addon, i get the following error:
Firefox could not install the file at
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/downloads/file/38258/bookmark_current_tab_set-0.1.0-fx.xpi
because: Invalid file hash (possible download corruption)
-261
Hello.
After viewing your comment, I downloaded and installed the add-on from this page on AMO where it can be found. I found that the add-on was installed successfully, as I did not receive this error message.
I suggest trying to download and install the add-on again at a later time. You may also refer to this page on the MozillaZine Knowledge Base on this error for more information on it. I hope this helps.
Thanks,
J.K.
Hello,
I just tried to install the addon from the page you linked, which is where i originally tried to install it from. same problem.
how about taking the experimental flag off? i can install regular add-ons, it’s experimental add-ons that give me this error (all experimental add-ons give me this error when i try to install them)
Hello again.
In order for the extension to no longer be considered experimental, I need to send a request for it to be considered public to the editors at addons.mozilla.org. I will send that request again, as I understand that the error that you are receiving tends to occur with experimental extensions.
Thanks again,
J.K.
Jake,
I saw on your rss feed that you had updated the plugin. I tried to install the latest version, but it is the same error as before.
Do you know of a way to fix my firefox so that I can install experimental addons?
Hello once again.
If you are still receiving the same error message when trying to install this extension, it seems that the solution to this problem can be found here on this page on the MozillaZine Knowledge Base. It is mentioned there that problems with the addons.mozilla.org database could cause this error to appear. For this reason, I suggest that anyone who has received this error click here to try installing the extension from this site. I would appreciate it if you could inform me whether or not you were able to successfully install the extension from this site.
Thanks again,
J.K.
Jake,
I just installed the addon with you link on this site.
Thanks!
I’ll leave feedback after I’ve used it.
It is good to know that my suggestion helped. However, I apologize for not making my extension available on a different site sooner.
If you would like to leave feedback about this extension, it would be best to leave it here on this page on AMO.
Thank you once again,
J.K.
Hello Jake,
Thanks for a great add-on.
There is something I think you can be able to help me and others with.
I don’t know if you are familiar with this extension “Snaplinks”
http://snaplinks.mozdev.org/
It has this feature to bookmark all selected links, but as I dug into the code “With Very limited knowledge of code” I found that the feature to bookmark all selected links was not updated to the new Firefox 3 way to bookmark pages, it still used:
chrome://browser/content/bookmarks/addBookmark2.xul
And since this feature is somewhat similar to what bookmark current tab set do I Thought that if you have the time you might like to take a look.
I know it’s not your add-on, so feel free to refuse.
Thanks anyway.
A.W.
Hello, and thank you for your comment and for complimenting my work.
I have taken some time to work with this Firefox extension that is now known as “Snap Links Plus.” I have looked through the source code of it to determine why selected links cannot be bookmarked when Firefox 3 is used. And I found that it is true that some of the source code of it has not been updated so that it will work with Firefox 3. In fact, if you click here to view one of the source files of this extension you will see on line 621 of it that the XUL file that you mentioned, which is not used by Firefox 3, is used.
I might be able to take the time to modify the source code of this extension to make it work properly with Firefox 3. However, I suggest contacting the author of the extension about this. It might be best to post a forum topic about this here.
Thanks again,
J.K.
Thanks a lot Jake,
I did post something on their forum (First post):
http://snaplinks.mozdev.org/drupal/recent_changes
The problem with this extension is that it exchanged hands a lot of times after the original author disappeared, and there is like three different versions of this extension right now, all of which did not pay any attention to actually updating the extension.
So thanks a lot for taking the time to do it.
I appreciate it as will a lot of other users.
Thanks again.
A.W.
Hello again, and thank you for your comment.
Perhaps posting this information on the general discussion forum might be a good idea even if you have mentioned this error elsewhere. If this error is mentioned more often, then there may be a greater chance that something will be done about it. I may not be able to guarantee that I will be able to take the time to correct this error. However, I plan on taking some time to work with this extension.
Thanks again,
J.K.
I did post on the forum, but it looks like it takes time to moderate the post and actually include it in the actual forum rather than in the recent changes section, and the forum is not that active.
Thanks again.
Hello,
a wonderfull firefox extension but i miss a feature. I would like to use a root->bookmark->folder. XPI-Script is not my thing i think:). Can you make this feature in the next version? Or can you give a hint where in the source-code i must code this feature in the core without dialog-settings?
switch (folderString) {
case “bookmarks.bookmarksMenuFolder”:
folder = bookmarks.bookmarksMenuFolder;
break;
case “bookmarks.toolbarFolder”:
folder = bookmarks.toolbarFolder;
break;
default:
folder = bookmarks.unfiledBookmarksFolder;
}
}
var folderId = bookmarks.createFolder(
folder,
dateString,
bookmarks.DEFAULT_INDEX);
What must i code here, if i wish to bookmark all operations in a root-bookmark-dir?
thx
CyberPunkBln
Hello, and thank you for your feedback.
If I understand you correctly, you would like this extension to allow users to save bookmark folders to a folder that would be designated for storing the folders that the extension creates. I understand that some users might want a feature like that. For that reason, this feature may be included in the next version of this extension.
Thanks again,
J.K.
Hello J.K.,
great Info,thx. Iam a InetDeveloper and Webdesigner that have more than 80 tabs in a few browser-windows open:) and it come the time where i must close some windows with tabs and then it is very cool if i can use the bookamrk after close feature directly into an sub folder:).
Great i wait for the Update-Dialog in my Firefox:).
Greetz
Hello Again,
for all that want a QuickAndDirty-Solution:):
i have overwriten dateString = “on Close” bevor Bookmark-Folder was created. JavaScript is my language but i dont know the full api for xpi-development and the full-dom. Knows anybody a good Site which full api and dom list?
I think on my short way in xpi-dev i translate the dtds in german? On which email i can send you the translation-dtds?
iam hitted with this great xpi-development:). I think about, when all bookmarks are putted in one folder, it was good if a 100% String comparsion was good, that only unique links will be saved…
Hmm i study your .js file intensivly:). But now at this time i will use my dirtyhack:). Quick and 100 Percent that what i search.
Hmm okay Close the Firefox full will all bookmark in a other folder and the internal save-bookmark-onclose engine in firefox will disabled?
okay i close my comment:)
greetz
Hello.
A good place to start when looking for information on development of Firefox extensions is this page: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/addons
I would very much appreciate it if you could translate the text used in the user interface. You may post the translations here at a later time.
If I understand you correctly, you would like this extension to check if what it is to be bookmarked had already been bookmarked previously. That is a feature that I have considered adding. And the feature for automatically bookmarking when a window is closed is only disabled when the user chooses to disable it.
I hope this information helped.
Thanks,
J.K.
Just installed this extension on FF4.0 and love it. Thanks for taking the time to write it, and for sharing it.
MGB/Willie
Hello.
Thank you for your feedback. It is good to know that you find this extension useful.
Thanks again,
J.K.
Hi, thanks for this very useful add-on. Only a suggestion: can you please add both menuitems to the 2 other bookmarks menu popups in Firefox 4? (bookmarks button & bookmark menu in Firefox button).
Bookmarks menu in Firefox button: id= appmenu_bookmarksPopup
Bookmarks button: id= BMB_bookmarksPopup
Thanks in advance.
Hello.
Thank you for your comment and for your suggestion. I will consider it.
Thanks again,
J.K.
Just installed this with Firefox version 5 and I can’t see that it’s working. Is it not compatible yet?
Hello.
I can tell you that this extension works with Firefox 5. I have tested it with Firefox 5, and found that it works as it should. If it does not work for you, then I would suggest downloading it again from here or here.
Thanks,
J.K.
The “Bookmark Current Tab Set” does not add a menu selection with FireFoxes new Simplified Start Menu.
Hello, and thank you for your comment.
I see that the extension does not add any menu options to the menu within the Firefox button. I should be able to add those menu options in the next version of the extension, which I should be able to release soon.
For now, you may still be able to use the options that this extension give by right-clicking anywhere on the web page on the screen. You may also re-enable the menu bar by following the instructions here.
Thanks again,
J.K.
Hi,
Date format claims YYYY-MM-DD but the output looks more like YYYY-M-D as no leading zeros are preserved (it reads 2011-7-14 instead of 2011-07-14). Could you fix that please?
Hello, and thank you for your comment.
That is something that I can correct in the next version of the extension.
Thanks again,
J.K.
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