Totally sick right now. Perhaps it will get better later on, though right now turning my bookmarks into a simple newt would be a major improvement. Even a fried newt would be an improvement over this mess.
If you too are suffering and your bookmarks seem to be totally trashed, you can recover your bookmarks from the automatic backups that Firefox maintains. Not sure about where it is in Windows, but in Unbuntu Linux, it's in your home directory (the one with your user name). The invisible directory is .mozilla. (There's a file browser right-click option to make the invisible files visible.) Then there's a firefox directory, and a defaults directory that is probably proceeded with a random unique string on your machine. In there, you should find a bookmarkbackups directory, which contains the last five backups on my machine...
Just tried again to fix it, and it's still much too sick to work with. I just hope it doesn't spread to any other data... <knocks on wood> Fortunately I've already backed up the rest of it, but that's harder to do and not likely to help other people at this late moment.
Hey, Google, if anyone there is paying attention. Please stop doing such crazy experiments on us. People will think you're going evil or something.
No one else is seeing these mangling problems? I've already had to restore the bookmark universe two or three times in two days, and in the middle of the next round...
Just reporting that the reconstruction failed for now. Still to sick to cure. No one else is seeing this? Or am I the last user of Google Browser Sync?
On Feb 6, 8:58 pm, "Shannon Jacobs" <Shannon.Jacobs.nos...@gmail.com> wrote:
> No one else is seeing these mangling problems? I've already had to > restore the bookmark universe two or three times in two days, and in > the middle of the next round...
On 2/6/07, Shannon Jacobs <Shannon.Jacobs.nos...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Just reporting that the reconstruction failed for now. Still to sick > to cure. No one else is seeing this? Or am I the last user of Google > Browser Sync?
Well the ship is sinking, I hear few other voices, even the captain and crew seem to be absent.
On Feb 6, 9:50 pm, "Peter Van Lone" <pete...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On 2/6/07, Shannon Jacobs <Shannon.Jacobs.nos...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Just reporting that the reconstruction failed for now. Still to sick > > to cure. No one else is seeing this? Or am I the last user of Google > > Browser Sync?
> Well the ship is sinking, I hear few other voices, even the captain > and crew seem to be absent.
> You be the judge.
Not sure what you mean. I'm guessing that you're noting that there is little traffic in this group, and little participation by people from Google. Or do you mean something else? Do you have some other information about this particular project?
Anyway, as regards the sickness of Google Browser Sync, the main problem now is bookmark doubling, which should be a trivial thing to fix. If it tries to create two adjacent bookmarks with the same content, then it should not do it. The creation of blank bookmarks is also something that should be blocked by a minimal sanity check.
On 2/6/07, Shannon Jacobs <Shannon.Jacobs.nos...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Not sure what you mean. I'm guessing that you're noting that there is > little traffic in this group, and little participation by people from > Google.
ding ding ding! And I would amend the statement to being "no participations from Google". And, no response, ever, emailing Google support directly. I get the sense it is a wholly unsupported product ... I think they just don't really give a damn about it.
Hmm... I don't feel like it's that bad, but more likely that it's just a very low priority project with a very limited staff.
Anyway, right now the condition seems to be even worse than before, so at least they seem to be working on it. At this time, it refuses to connect at all, producing the error message highlights: "An unexpected error has occured... returned failure code: 0x80004003... (NS_ERROR_INVALID_POINTER) [nsIRDFContain" It also says "Please try again later" so I'll wait--but wish they had a status link somewhere...
On Feb 7, 6:05 am, "Peter Van Lone" <pete...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On 2/6/07, Shannon Jacobs <Shannon.Jacobs.nos...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Not sure what you mean. I'm guessing that you're noting that there is > > little traffic in this group, and little participation by people from > > Google.
> ding ding ding! And I would amend the statement to being "no > participations from Google". And, no response, ever, emailing Google > support directly. I get the sense it is a wholly unsupported product > ... I think they just don't really give a damn about it.
Actually, I even have a theory of what may be happening here... Are you closing your Firefox before shutting down the machines? I think it may be getting confused about the current state of the bookmarks if Firefox is not properly terminated. Remember that final popup for the saving information?
I also have been experiencing the same thing. I use the bookmark sync tool on two Windows computers. I recently upgraded to Firefox 2.0.0.1 from 1.5.0.9. I am not sure if it is coincidence, but I believe my problems with this addon started when I upgraded. I downgraded one of the machines back to 1.5.0.9 and I am still getting a mess.
I also notice that when I shutdown Firefox during the day, without logging off the machine the bookmarks seem to remain Ok. However, when I logoff and then re-login my bookmarks disappear completely or get partially duplicated, extra blank entries and extra separators.
I've been experiencing this behavior over the past couple of weeks (every day!!!), so it almost seems that certain form of corruption is happening either on Google's server or on the addon (possibly due to FF 2.0.0.1).
If you guys figure it out, let me know!
Thanks!
On Feb 6, 11:57 pm, "Shannon Jacobs" <Shannon.Jacobs.nos...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Actually, I even have a theory of what may be happening here... Are > you closing your Firefox before shutting down the machines? I think it > may be getting confused about the current state of the bookmarks if > Firefox is not properly terminated. Remember that final popup for the > saving information?
I wouldn't go so far as saying that I've figured it out, but it seems pretty clear that part of the problem is that the program is having trouble keeping track of the 'unique identities' of the bookmarks. If the database at Google's end was actually tracking the content, it shouldn't be creating empty entries, either...
That seems to suggest that it is only tracking index values and relying on the client to know what is in the indexed entry--and the broken code would therefore be in the conflict resolution routine. It somehow decides two bookmarks are the same and zaps one of them. Missing sanity checks?
On Feb 9, 4:34 am, "christian" <cgu...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I also have been experiencing the same thing. I use the bookmark sync > tool on two Windows computers. I recently upgraded to Firefox 2.0.0.1 > from 1.5.0.9. I am not sure if it is coincidence, but I believe my > problems with this addon started when I upgraded. I downgraded one of > the machines back to 1.5.0.9 and I am still getting a mess.
> I also notice that when I shutdown Firefox during the day, without > logging off the machine the bookmarks seem to remain Ok. However, when > I logoff and then re-login my bookmarks disappear completely or get > partially duplicated, extra blank entries and extra separators.
> I've been experiencing this behavior over the past couple of weeks > (every day!!!), so it almost seems that certain form of corruption is > happening either on Google's server or on the addon (possibly due to > FF 2.0.0.1).
> If you guys figure it out, let me know!
> Thanks!
> On Feb 6, 11:57 pm, "Shannon Jacobs" <Shannon.Jacobs.nos...@gmail.com> > wrote:
> > Actually, I even have a theory of what may be happening here... Are > > you closing your Firefox before shutting down the machines? I think it > > may be getting confused about the current state of the bookmarks if > > Firefox is not properly terminated. Remember that final popup for the > > saving information?
Seemed to be getting better, but now it's getting sicker again. Latest symptom seems to be confusion between folders and bookmarks on the Bookmarks Toolbar Folder. Actually, likely that some of the problem is that that same folder is probably called the Personal Toolbar Folder in the Windows version of Firefox. Also seeing a lot of bookmark and folder duplication, but that's not a newer symptom, but one that reappears from time to time.
The worst part is uploading for me. Apparently I have to many functions running, but this never happened before and I never added anything since then. Every time I try to upload I get the message "Upload to large. Try disabling some components." When will it end? Peter B.
On Feb 12, 6:28 pm, "Shannon Jacobs" <Shannon.Jacobs.nos...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Seemed to be getting better, but now it's getting sicker again. Latest > symptom seems to be confusion between folders and bookmarks on the > Bookmarks Toolbar Folder. Actually, likely that some of the problem is > that that same folder is probably called the Personal Toolbar Folder > in the Windows version of Firefox. Also seeing a lot of bookmark and > folder duplication, but that's not a newer symptom, but one that > reappears from time to time.
Can't say... My current experiments involve deleting very carefully followed by immediate "Full Refresh" after each deletion. So far it hasn't gotten obviously messed up as a result of my tiptoeing about, but I'm knocking on wood anyway.
I kind of wish the 'owner' at Google would be a bit more visible around here and provide a few status reports. Or at least he could update the http://www.google.com/tools/firefox/browsersync/ webpage with some kind of FAQ and status report... However, that's what we all say.
On Feb 15, 7:49 am, "spearheadmonkeycs...@gmail.com"
<spearheadmonkeycs...@gmail.com> wrote: > The worst part is uploading for me. Apparently I have to many > functions running, but this never > happened before and I never added anything since then. Every time I > try to upload I get the > message "Upload to large. Try disabling some components." > When will it end? > Peter B.
> On Feb 12, 6:28 pm, "Shannon Jacobs" <Shannon.Jacobs.nos...@gmail.com> > wrote:
> > Seemed to be getting better, but now it's getting sicker again. Latest > > symptom seems to be confusion between folders and bookmarks on the > > Bookmarks Toolbar Folder. Actually, likely that some of the problem is > > that that same folder is probably called the Personal Toolbar Folder > > in the Windows version of Firefox. Also seeing a lot of bookmark and > > folder duplication, but that's not a newer symptom, but one that > > reappears from time to time.
i posted this in the wrong thread earlier, so im dumping it in here too. looks like there are a few frustrated folk here too.
just letting you guys know that i had similar issues with my bookmarks accross 3 different computers. my pc at work didnt really know if it was coming or going with my bookmarks, and after reading the posts on here, i dont have much confidence in google sync. there is a lack of options about which bookmarks are the master, merging etc...
anyways, today is a good day, as i stumbled accross foxmarks on the firefox add ons site. I think its quite new, but it has the options i was looking for, and it looks like a lot more work has went into it. the setup is much clearer on what is actually going on.
<Shannon.Jacobs.nos...@gmail.com> wrote: > Can't say... My current experiments involve deleting very carefully > followed by immediate "Full Refresh" after each deletion. So far it > hasn't gotten obviously messed up as a result of my tiptoeing about, > but I'm knocking on wood anyway.
> I kind of wish the 'owner' at Google would be a bit more visible > around here and provide a few status reports. Or at least he could > update thehttp://www.google.com/tools/firefox/browsersync/webpage > with some kind of FAQ and status report... However, that's what we all > say.
> On Feb 15, 7:49 am, "spearheadmonkeycs...@gmail.com"
> <spearheadmonkeycs...@gmail.com> wrote: > > The worst part is uploading for me. Apparently I have to many > > functions running, but this never > > happened before and I never added anything since then. Every time I > > try to upload I get the > > message "Upload to large. Try disabling some components." > > When will it end? > > Peter B.
> > On Feb 12, 6:28 pm, "Shannon Jacobs" <Shannon.Jacobs.nos...@gmail.com> > > wrote:
> > > Seemed to be getting better, but now it's getting sicker again. Latest > > > symptom seems to be confusion between folders and bookmarks on the > > > Bookmarks Toolbar Folder. Actually, likely that some of the problem is > > > that that same folder is probably called the Personal Toolbar Folder > > > in the Windows version of Firefox. Also seeing a lot of bookmark and > > > folder duplication, but that's not a newer symptom, but one that > > > reappears from time to time.
> just letting you guys know that i had similar issues with my bookmarks > accross 3 different computers. my pc at work didnt really know if it > was coming or going with my bookmarks, and after reading the posts on > here, i dont have much confidence in google sync. there is a lack of > options about which bookmarks are the master, merging etc...
> anyways, today is a good day, as i stumbled accross foxmarks on the > firefox add ons site. I think its quite new, but it has the options i > was looking for, and it looks like a lot more work has went into it. > the setup is much clearer on what is actually going on.
> > just letting you guys know that i had similar issues with my bookmarks > > accross 3 different computers. my pc at work didnt really know if it > > was coming or going with my bookmarks, and after reading the posts on > > here, i dont have much confidence in google sync. there is a lack of > > options about which bookmarks are the master, merging etc...
> > anyways, today is a good day, as i stumbled accross foxmarks on the > > firefox add ons site. I think its quite new, but it has the options i > > was looking for, and it looks like a lot more work has went into it. > > the setup is much clearer on what is actually going on.
On Feb 18, 2:33 am, "cuptie" <michael.mac...@gmail.com> wrote:
> yep, thats a good point.
> I'm not too keen on my cookies/history getting stored externally, so the > foxmark tool is fine for me.
This sounds very good. I actually decided that cookie syncing was more trouble than it was worth, so I've disabled that (and history syncing) in GBS. Given that GBS is having more problems, I'm increasingly receptive to any alternative--though it is nice when it is working.
However, I have a few questions for you experienced users before I decide about switching:
1. Are any of you mixing Windows with Linux?
2. Are any of you mixing Firefox versions? (I still have some machines on older Firefox.)
3. Does it handle password syncing? That's also a major convenience, but an area where I'm especially leery of trusting unknown companies...
Sounds like I'm having the same problems as others here -- exact same error message. The problem didn't start for me until yesterday (19 Feb) when I tried to sync a third machine. I prepped it by loading the saved set of bookmarks manually (pre-syncing) as I've had problems with this in the past. After starting up the third browser I've seen the problem come and go.
A few other data points:
- The two initial sync machines were a WinXP box and an Intel Mac. The new machine is a WinXP laptop. All are running Firefox 2.0.0.1.
- I'm syncing bookmarks, cookies, and passwords. Not browser history or tabs/windows. I'm not encrypting bookmarks.
- I have a large set of bookmarks. Interestingly, the size has gone up dramatically since my last saved set -- from 454k to 704k. I guess that's because I pulled in a lot more bookmark icons -- I certainly haven't doubled the number of bookmarks.
- The sync seems to royally munge the bookmarks before reporting a problem. Bookmarks rearranged, folders moved -- hierarchy all munged. Individual bookmarks seem to retain their integrity though. Not sure at all what's stored server-side at this point -- if I could, I'd flush the whole thing and try a pristine setup.
- I've been able to temporarily make the problem go away by uninstalling and reinstalling GBS. But the problem seems to return after a sync from another machine. In other words, I can fix machine X by the uninstall/reinstall. Then I go to machine Y, and it has problems, which go away after uninstall/reinstall. But now if I return to machine X, I'm stuck with the problem again.
I guess this is someone's 20%-time project. Curious to see if they can make that 100% time when a major issue rears its head...
On Feb 20, 9:00 pm, "Dave Ciskowski" <ciskow...@gmail.com> wrote: <snip>
> - I'm syncing bookmarks, cookies, and passwords. Not browser history > or tabs/windows. I'm not encrypting bookmarks.
I strongly recommend against including the cookies. The cookies from the various machines apparently get together and start breeding like rabbits.
> - I have a large set of bookmarks. Interestingly, the size has gone up > dramatically since my last saved set -- from 454k to 704k. I guess > that's because I pulled in a lot more bookmark icons -- I certainly > haven't doubled the number of bookmarks.
Almost certain that GBS has done the doubling for you. Another common problem, but it may be disguised in some subtree.
> I guess this is someone's 20%-time project. Curious to see if they can > make that 100% time when a major issue rears its head...
I concur, but I think the project has enough visibility to be harming Google's reputation. Not even a beta product yet. The least they could do is give it an alpha label.
Basically it's been working okay for me lately, but there are other reports of problems that made me wonder about a possible cause... If you have had any problems with it, did you recently change your settings to encrypt the bookmarks? I'm speculating that older unencrypted bookmarks may 'seize' priority over later bookmarks when that setting has been switched.
Knew I shouldn't have said it was working okay... Then it lost at least one password, which is also an extremely annoying and troublesome glitch in the utility. This thing is making Google look rather bad--at least incompetent if not evil.
On Mar 1, 5:25 pm, "Shannon Jacobs" <Shannon.Jacobs.nos...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Basically it's been working okay for me lately, but there are other > reports of problems that made me wonder about a possible cause... If > you have had any problems with it, did you recently change your > settings to encrypt the bookmarks? I'm speculating that older > unencrypted bookmarks may 'seize' priority over later bookmarks when > that setting has been switched.
On 3/1/07, Shannon Jacobs <Shannon.Jacobs.nos...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Knew I shouldn't have said it was working okay... Then it lost at > least one password, which is also an extremely annoying and > troublesome glitch in the utility. This thing is making Google look > rather bad--at least incompetent if not evil.
That's what they all say--but actually Foxmarks doesn't handle passwords at all. At least I couldn't find any mention of it there. That's actually a major convenience, but comes at the cost of the usual trade-off: more convenience puts the security itself at risk. I trust Google enough to use the feature--but just barely. I've been meaning to study a link the Foxmarks people sent me about their business model to decide if they seem to have a solid and 'trustworthy' business model, but one thing after another has been keeping me busy...
On Mar 2, 12:34 pm, "Peter Van Lone" <pete...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On 3/1/07, Shannon Jacobs <Shannon.Jacobs.nos...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Knew I shouldn't have said it was working okay... Then it lost at > > least one password, which is also an extremely annoying and > > troublesome glitch in the utility. This thing is making Google look > > rather bad--at least incompetent if not evil.
With foxmarks I've switched between linux and windows and between firefox 1.5 an 2.0 and it all worked very well. I tried google before foxmarks but it just did not work for me so I gave up a while ago. It sounds like things have not changed.
<Shannon.Jacobs.nos...@gmail.com> wrote: > On Feb 18, 2:33 am, "cuptie" <michael.mac...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > yep, thats a good point.
> > I'm not too keen on my cookies/history getting stored externally, so the > > foxmark tool is fine for me.
> This sounds very good. I actually decided that cookie syncing was more > trouble than it was worth, so I've disabled that (and history syncing) > in GBS. Given that GBS is having more problems, I'm increasingly > receptive to any alternative--though it is nice when it is working.
> However, I have a few questions for you experienced users before I > decide about switching:
> 1. Are any of you mixing Windows with Linux?
> 2. Are any of you mixing Firefox versions? (I still have some machines > on older Firefox.)
> 3. Does it handle password syncing? That's also a major convenience, > but an area where I'm especially leery of trusting unknown companies...
> With foxmarks I've switched between linux and windows and between > firefox 1.5 an 2.0 and it all worked very well. I tried google before > foxmarks but it just did not work for me so I gave up a while ago. It > sounds like things have not changed.
> Iztok
> On Feb 18, 10:53 pm, "Shannon Jacobs"
> <Shannon.Jacobs.nos...@gmail.com> wrote: > > On Feb 18, 2:33 am, "cuptie" <michael.mac...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > yep, thats a good point.
> > > I'm not too keen on my cookies/history getting stored externally, so the > > > foxmark tool is fine for me.
> > This sounds very good. I actually decided that cookie syncing was more > > trouble than it was worth, so I've disabled that (and history syncing) > > in GBS. Given that GBS is having more problems, I'm increasingly > > receptive to any alternative--though it is nice when it is working.
> > However, I have a few questions for you experienced users before I > > decide about switching:
> > 1. Are any of you mixing Windows with Linux?
> > 2. Are any of you mixing Firefox versions? (I still have some machines > > on older Firefox.)
> > 3. Does it handle password syncing? That's also a major convenience, > > but an area where I'm especially leery of trusting unknown companies...
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