There are some form extensions at
<https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/search?q=form&appid=1&cat=0,0&tag=&atype=-1&pid=3&lup=&sort=&lver=3.5&pp=20>.
Hopefully there is something there that you will like.
With regards to data disappearing, it is not designed to do that. Do you
regularily use the "Clear Recent History" feature? That can can be
customized not to include forum history. See
<http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Clear+Recent+History>.
Firefox also remember the type of form being used (Search vs. Name). Are
you comparing two different types of forms?
--
Chris Ilias <http://ilias.ca>
List-owner: support-firefox, support-thunderbird, test-multimedia
Keeper of the Knowledge Base: <https://support.mozilla.com/kb/>
I'll investigate, Chris, thanks.
MikeyG