jscher2000 said

...What is important are the add-ons you need to be productive and happy using Firefox. Which ones are critical to you that haven't been replaced?...

NoScript! I will not use Firefox without it. -- jclarkw

jscher2000 said The "flat" look is a trend in UI design. You can modify it using themes and custom style rules.

This is useless if v57 doesn't support the theme you were using before.

Which [add-ons] are critical to you that haven't been replaced?

So many add-ons are now incompatible. NoScript, Download Statusbar, New Add-On Bar and Simple Mail all come to mind. Even the newer, compatible Google shortcuts add-on is nothing but an ad for Google products (the earlier version allowed personalizing shortcuts).

jclarkw said

jscher2000 said

...What is important are the add-ons you need to be productive and happy using Firefox. Which ones are critical to you that haven't been replaced?...

NoScript! I will not use Firefox without it. -- jclarkw

I can relate to that -- I'm waiting for NoScript.

Can I downgrade to v56.0.2 without loosing my (addon)settings and will all addons be restored?

PJEvans said

Note that, for me, uninstalling 57 and reinstalling 56.0.2 did not erase bookmarks or other settings.

What about your plugins? Were the settings retained or did you have to start from scratch? I made very elaborate settings in my plugins.

nuwon said

If downgrading from FF v57, it's best to go to the Extended Support Release which is derived from v52. This ensures getting security updates,

Same question: What about your plugins? Were the settings retained or did you have to start from scratch?

How about making an extended support release of version: 56.0.2 ? That would be much appreciated I think.

jscher2000 said

What is important are the add-ons you need to be productive and happy using Firefox. Which ones are critical to you that haven't been replaced?

Here's a list of add-ons I can't do without:

1. DownThemAll!

   The first and only download manager/accelerator built inside Firefox!
   Rated 4.5 out of 5
   Nils Maier
   899,889 users

1. ColorfulTabs (Rendered useless by the new UI)

   The first addon you should be installing on a fresh Firefox install. A must have. The most beautiful yet the simplest add-on that makes a strong colorful appeal. Colors every tab in a different color.
   Rated 3.8 out of 5
   Shivanand Sharma
   138,302 users

1. Self-Destructing Cookies

   Fix the web. Gets rid of a site's cookies and LocalStorage as soon as you close its tabs. Protects against trackers and zombie-cookies. Trustworthy services can be whitelisted.
   Rated 4.3 out of 5
   Ove
   160,514 users
#   Flashblock

   Never be annoyed by a Flash animation again! Blocks Flash so it won't get in your way, but if you want to see it, just click on...
   Rated 4.1 out of 5
   Philip Chee
   186,494 users

1. Add to Search Bar

   Make any pages' search functionality available in the Search Bar (or "search box")...
   Rated 4.6 out of 5
   Dr. Evil
   46,809 users

1. GrabMyBooks

   Grab content from web sites and feeds into an ePub / mobi file for your eBook reader. Create your own newspapers with news from all over the world.
   Rated 4.6 out of 5
   Thomas
   4,367 users

Important note: I did NOT un-install v57 and simply re-installed v56.0.2 -- but it worked, and restored all of my prior extensions. I was concerned that the act of un-installing would create a host of new issues (e.g. having to re-install each extension).

Caveats: 1. Before starting, I made a complete copy of the user profile in a separate location (as a safety backup). 2. I had not allowed Firefox v57 to remove the prior ("legacy") extensions.

Also: In the past, I have often relied on MozBackup to back up a profile. I do not think it will work with v57, but it still works with v56.0.2. I also continue to use MozBackup to back up Thunderbird.

Where do I download Firefox 56? I thought I found a page, but when I downloaded and installed, it was 57.

This does not work: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/56.0/releasenotes/

VisualHorizons said

Where do I download Firefox 56? I thought I found a page, but when I downloaded and installed, it was 57.

Use the support article: Install an older version of Firefox.

Here are two links 32-bit https://download-installer.cdn.mozilla.net/pub/firefox/releases/56.0.2/win32/en-US/Firefox%20Setup%2056.0.2.exe 64-bit https://download-installer.cdn.mozilla.net/pub/firefox/releases/56.0.2/win64/en-US/Firefox%20Setup%2056.0.2.exe

Me too.

Yesterday Firefox somehow updated itself without my permission (I had not given it the auto option) - and I was FURIOUS to see that Classic Theme Restorer had been disabled. I had to use Windows System Restore to revert it, as Mozilla was obscure in how to revert to the previous version.

Firefox has gone from a great browser to a terrible one. I LOATHE the way they want users to use icons only, without text, in the tool bar. My brain (and that of many others) reads text a lot faster than interpreting icons. I want to click a button called "Home", and not have to spend an extra second deciphering a picture of a house.

Same goes for the tab close button. I want Firefox 1 behaviour: a single close button on the right side which applies to the current tab when you click it. In Firefox 2 they changed this default behaviour, but retained the option to have it (browser.tabs.closebuttons). Then a few versions ago, they removed the option, requiring an add-on to restore it. Now they have disabled the add-on! It makes my very angry.

So - I refuse to update Firefox any further, until I can have my classic theme restored - whether via an add-on, or preferably by NATIVE FUNCTIONALITY.

EuroSong said

I LOATHE the way they want users to use icons only, without text, in the tool bar. My brain (and that of many others) reads text a lot faster than interpreting icons. I want to click a button called "Home", and not have to spend an extra second deciphering a picture of a house.

You can use custom style rules to modify the appearance of the toolbar buttons. When I experimented with this, the text was pretty small. However, the author of Classic Theme Restorer posted a large set of custom style rules that probably do a better job than I could.

https://github.com/Aris-t2/CustomCSSforFx

I want Firefox 1 behaviour: a single close button on the right side which applies to the current tab when you click it. In Firefox 2 they changed this default behaviour, but retained the option to have it (browser.tabs.closebuttons). Then a few versions ago, they removed the option, requiring an add-on to restore it. Now they have disabled the add-on! It makes my very angry.

This is more difficult. Custom style rules can hide the close buttons so they don't take up space or cause accidental closure, but creating an entirely new button at the end of the tab bar might not be possible. (I can't be certain because style rule wizards are constantly surprising me with their inventiveness.)

In theory someone could create an add-on to put a close active tab button on the main toolbar, but you might not want to sacrifice space there for that.

This is why the NoScript plugin is essential: Session replay scripts video record your activity as you browse a website November 27, 2017 – By Bjoern Greif

Princeton researchers have discovered tracking scripts on hundreds of websites that record, in real time, your keystrokes, mouse movements, and scroll action – even before you hit submit and even if you delete entered data. [https://www.ghostery.com/blog/ghoster.../session-replay-scripts-video-record-your-activity-as-you-browse-a-website/] Source

martinr said

This is why the NoScript plugin is essential: Session replay scripts video record your activity as you browse a website November 27, 2017 – By Bjoern Greif

Or, as promoted in the last paragraph, a tracking blocker like Ghostery.

jscher2000 said

Or, as promoted in the last paragraph, a tracking blocker like Ghostery.

Do you trust Ghostery...

martinr said

jscher2000 said

Or, as promoted in the last paragraph, a tracking blocker like Ghostery.

Do you trust Ghostery...

Is there any reason not to trust them? Do you prefer Blur, Disconnect, or Privacy Badger, which also are tracking blockers?

On Firefox pre-57, I have used NoScript as my only content blocker -- that plus the built-in Tracking Protection in private windows is demanding enough already; it would be unmanageable to have to check even more buttons -- along with various custom style rules (Stylish) and user scripts (Greasemonkey).

I'm not sure what I will use on Firefox 57. I have been testing and will decide this weekend.