Import Standard set of Bookmarks
I would like to deploy a standard set of bookmarks to users without overwriting their existing bookmarks. I would like this to happen each time the user launches FF to ensure they always have this set of bookmarks. Would using 'browser.places.importbookmarkshtml' be sufficient, or do I have to modify the user.js file for the setting to remain 'true'? Also, how do I specify the location of the bookmarks file? I should also mention that I currently have the 'browser.bookmarks.autoexporthtml' set to 'true' with a path defined in the 'browser.bookmarks.file' setting. Suggestions?
Thanks.
All Replies (6)
Sorry, I don't recall seeing this pref - browser.places.importbookmarkshtml - where have you seen that pref listed or referenced? Also, that pref doesn't look "correct", like maybe "browser.places.importBookmarksHtml" being closer to what Mozilla might have used as a pref name. As "browser.bookmarks.autoExportHTML" rather than "browser.bookmarks.autoexporthtml".
I wonder if that "browser.places.importbookmarkshtml" is a very old pref?
With a search of the Mozilla Developer Network, this page comes up first. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Tech/XPCOM/Reference/Interface/nsIPlacesImportExportService I don't see direct mention about that pref, but I do see that many features went obsolete as of Gecko 14 (which equates to Firefox 14).
And nothing here either - https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Tech/XPCOM/Reference/Interface/nsINavBookmarksService
My post didn't reference the correct 'case' of the settings, but I did ensure both were correct in the about:config - e.g., browser.places.importBookmarksHtml and browser.bookmarks.autoExportHTML. As you have said, I haven't found much documentation on using the importBookmarksHTML, but I have seen a couple of posts referencing it. As to whether or not it's officially supported, I'm not sure.
The real question, though, is how can I deploy a set of bookmarks to users on a consistent basis? (and without resorting to Add-ons or extensions)
Modified by eddythorn
Thanks cor-el. I was actually going to submit another question regarding the use of the distribution.ini file. I have tried this, but have been unsuccessful. Where does this file go so that it can be propagated to new profiles? And, can this file (or folder/file combo) be manually copied to existing profiles? Thanks
I figured out how to use the distribution.ini file, so now a new user of FF will have the bookmarks I specified. However, how can I do this for existing users? And what if I need to update the bookmarks after the fact? Can this be done?
I haven't used this method myself, so I don't know exactly how it works and whether you can add/modify the bookmarks.
You can look at this extension, also created by Mike Kaply to see if that makes it easier.
- CCK2 Wizard: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/cck2wizard/