Will Gmarks be migrated to the WebExtensions framework?

[Jammer]

Fellow Gmarks users,

I learned recently that Mozilla has changed the way extensions will need to be written.  Based on my understanding of the information from Mozilla, starting with FF release 57 (to be released in Nov. 2017) the only extensions that will work are extensions that have been rewritten to follow their new WebExtensions framework.  This means that unless Gmarks is migrated to this new framework, this beloved tool will cease to work.  I wonder if there is any super programmers in our community that would like to take on the challenge of helping to migrate this awesome tool to the new framework. 

The written text from Mozilla is posted below (and here is the link if you'd rather go to the official page:  https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-add-technology-modernizing?as=u&utm_source=inproduct):

Firefox add-on technology is modernizing

Add-ons allow you to add extra features and functionality to Firefox, modify the Firefox user interface and change its appearance. There are several types of add-ons but extensions are the most common. Anyone can create an extension and make it available for download.

What's happening?

In the past, add-ons often stopped working each time a new version of Firefox was released, because developers had to update them every six weeks to keep them compatible. Since add-ons could also modify Firefox internal code directly, it was possible for bad actors to include malicious code in an innocent-looking add-on.

To address these issues, and as part of broader efforts to modernize Firefox as a whole, we’ve been transitioning to a new framework for developing Firefox extensions. Outside of rare instances, add-ons created with the new standard, called WebExtensions, won’t break in new Firefox releases. You can still personalize Firefox with add-ons the same way you do now, except they won’t break in new Firefox releases.

Note: Starting in Firefox 57, which will be released in November 2017, only add-ons built with this new technology will work in Firefox. These are indicated by the "Compatible with Firefox 57+" label on addons.mozilla.org (AMO). Add-ons built with the old technology are labeled "Legacy" in the Add-ons Manager (about:addons) tab.

If an add-on does not have the "Compatible with 57+" label or has the "Legacy" label, the developer may be in the process of transitioning to the new technology.

We are aware that certain add-ons will not be transitioning to the new standard; we will continue to assist developers to the fullest possible extent. As we get closer to November, we will suggest suitable replacements of add-ons not making the transition.

If you are a user of Firefox Nightly, please note that Firefox 57 reached the Nightly channel on August 2, 2017. Legacy add-ons will be disabled, but will be enabled again if the developer releases a compatible update.

In the meantime, you can check if an add-on is planned for migration (popular add-ons only), look for alternatives or reach out to the developer to inquire if they will migrate their add-on. You may find developer contact information on the right side of the add-on listing on AMO.

We recommend that you install add-ons with the "Compatible with Firefox 57+" label to ensure compatibility with Firefox beyond November 2017.

If you are the developer of a legacy add-on, resources are available to help you migrate to the new standard.

 
Best regards.

[Thomas Harning Jr.]

I've found a similar extension that is setup for the new extension model:

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/hccbe-google%E3%83%96%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%83%9E%E3%83%BC%E3%82%AF%E6%8B%A1%E5%BC%B5/

I haven't found any missing features from GMarks - but I mainly used the simplest feature-set, aside from setting up the path separator for tags.

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Thomas Harning Jr. (http://about.me/harningt)

[Benjamin Niu]

Thanks, Thomas.  I just downloaded the extension and will be using it to see how it works.

Best regard.

[David C.]

Thank you very much.  It's almost perfect.  I can't middle-click a folder to open it in tabs (need to right-click a folder and select a menu item for this) but I'm otherwise satisfied.

I'd still prefer a port of GMarks, but it's unreasonable for me to demand that someone else write free software for me.

-- David

On Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at 4:50:20 PM UTC-4, Thomas Harning wrote:

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/hccbe-google%E3%83%96%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%83%9E%E3%83%BC%E3%82%AF%E6%8B%A1%E5%BC%B5/

[sbwinter2]

I have been using Fess along with GMarks every since GMarks stopped being able to add new bookmarks. I add them with Fess and then use them via Gmarks. I will also try hccbe. I see that it loads in the toolbar just like Fess. I admit that giving up GMarks will be hard because one of my favorite aspects is that it is located in the menu bar and not on the toolbar. That integration made it so convenient. If a developer of one of the other google bookmark addons could create their addon to access from the menu bar, that would be a total replacement.

[David C.]

On Monday, December 11, 2017 at 12:27:03 AM UTC-5, sbwinter2 wrote:

... If a developer of one of the other google bookmark addons could create their addon to access from the menu bar, that would be a total replacement.

I've been using hccbe for a while.  It's not as nice as GMarks and it doesn't modify the menu-bar, but I did find that using the Customize feature, I can drag its icon to the left side of the Bookmarks toolbar (where I used to have the GMarks folder), which is more convenient than the default location (right side of the location bar).

-- David

[Susan Winter]

Thanks. Good idea on putting it on the bookmarks bar. I am now trying out that layout choice.

Thanks,
Susan

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[kriirk]

Anyone found one that has sidebar?
Thats all I ask.

[Zeno]

Google bookmarks for firefox and sidebar !!

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/hccbe-google%E3%83%96%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%83%9E%E3%83%BC%E3%82%AF%E6%8B%A1%E5%BC%B5/

...

[Benjamin Niu]

Thank you, Enzo.  This is awesome!

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[kriirk]

Amazing - exactly what I needed!

Im now in love with Quantum all thanks to you and this addon!

Thank you so much!!