Firefox never forces updates on me. I set three settings in the about:config window.

app.update.auto = false
app.update.enabled = false
app.update.silent = false

Mozilla does not have access to your Bookmarks so they are not to be blamed for missing Bookmarks.

And if you want people to even take you seriously, please do not do the rude internet form of shouting in CAPS.

finitarry,

I can't thank you enough for your frank, truthful response, and for the very resolution I've been looking for all this time.

I've been dealing with this issue for nearly eight years, one that caused me terrible frustration and consternation but ever since gravitating to Firefox in the aftermath of the Navigator fiasco in 2005 have never looked back. Despite loving Firefox, I can't see myself ever using any other browser,the sense of aggravation caused is difficult to convey.

This information as resolution to Firefox users who would have preferred not having their browsers updated has been an option, for how long I don't know, but one not readily publicized perhaps willfully so.

I've spent about six years at that other Mozilla forum and the remainder here at Mozilla support, always thinking there's got to be a better way.

Please allow me to express my appreciation and gratitude for being the well-intentioned, altruistic Moderator you are, that in the long run can only benefit Firefox in the grueling browser battles that is taking its toll.

As far as having responded in caps, as if shouting, I do sincerely apologize for having done so, but was so deep in thought, I actually wrote it in caps for emphasis and not as an effort at shouting.

Again, I do apologize having not realized the dissonance until being chastised by james.

All My Very Best to You, Marc Savoy

James, I do profusely apologize for composing my message a good part of it in caps but having inadvertently done so without the slightest intention, awareness that I was indeed shouting. Again, my most sincerest apologies.

As far as your contention that Mozilla does not have access to my bookmarks, I must politely, yet strenuously disagree. They very much do have access as function of being able to update and change many aspects of Firefox's content. Deleting bookmarks are technically much easier, simpler to do than updating, changing content, but you already knew that.

Another indication that Firefox,someone at Firefox, did indeed delete my bookmarks very much deliberately because in doing a systems restore, I was able to re-acquire the very bookmarks Firefox, someone at Firefox, deliberately deleted by invading the very privacy Firefox, you yourself, I'm sure hold in such high esteem.

The last action immediately prior to the systems restore that had me reacquire the missing deleted content, bookmarks from my browser, was a Firefox Browser update with all my content intact. After the Firefox update, content, bookmarks are discovered missing, deleted. Then a systems restore allows for the e-acquiring of the missing content.

So, thinking to myself, it all makes perfect sense that Firefox deleted my content, bookmarks, items of record by invading my privacy as indicated by the timing and the circumstances borne out of the most recent facilitation of the systems restore, the first one right after the Firefox update.

But you aleady knew that.

James, how would you explain the re-appearance of my momentary missing content if Firefox did not delete my private records, items of record but was retrieved immediately after the upate by the most recent systems restore?

All My Very Best To You, James

Automatic updates are sometimes able to damage files in the profile, and I am still reading complaints in several web fora indicating that that has not changed. That is one reason why I dislike automatic updates.

fintarry,

All the more reason not to force updates unto users that if informed of possible file damage as a result would certainly not be encouraged to update their browsers with the immediacy demanded of the development teams.

Firefox is not Microsoft of the Old days. Develop it quickly, get it shhiped out and worry about "patching" things up later.

Let's get one thing straight. I am a Firefox sycophant through and through. I understand the pressure that browser development teams must endure in competing with the likes of Chrome, IE and a host of other technologically/,marketing savvy entrepreneurial types and want their latest iteration out there as quickly as possible.

We've all been privy to the Cold-fusion scenario, where you've announced a major breakthrough in say being the fastest browser only for it to be proven false, like those scientists who announced the limitless source of energy via cold-fusion, eventually being laughed out of thy scientific community.

The same thing goes for newer Firefox releases that the development team wants to get out right away but needs time to prove y take time their mettle and then there are those who are not happy with change and prefer to hod on to older versions, mostly due to losses of favorite extensions. But Firefox must understand that each Firefox iteration takes time to infiltrate the market and have people begin to eventually begin to accept the higher versions I understand the impetus for Firefox wanting everyone to update to their most recent versions simply as quickly as possible, so that everyone benefit from new cutting edge technology as soon as possible in order to to outdo the competition

But the bottom line is that while as they first arrive, they may dazzle the market but if they prove to need more time to fully functional, it will only effect Firefox in a negative way. So its better to await a bit longer to prove their worthiness than to rush the product out and pay the price in poor performance and reputation.

Thanks, finitarry very much for the additional information.

First, Firefox is the current name of the web browser ever since version 0.8 (was Phoenix then Firebird in past due to names already in use) as the company is Mozilla.

One of the main reasons people should not stay behind is because they will be behind on security patches as it is not due to Mozilla thinking users should be using the latest shiny version. http://www.mozilla.org/security/known-vulnerabilities/firefox.html

Instead of the long drawn and feature rich development that versions like Firefox 4.0 was, Mozilla has changed to a much more controlled short list for each release though I admit I would prefer a bit more lengthy period in between like say 12 weeks instead.

I know what updates are like as I have done easily three thousand updates ever since update feature was added in then Trunk nightlies where the early Firefox 1.5 was being developed as I have been testing the development builds for over 9 1/2 years and I have never lost any Bookmarks in that time.

Too tired to make more sense at moment...

I agree, absolutely agree that the user should follow though on any update advocated by Mozilla. Mozilla is in the best position to know if and when their browser becomes say vulnerable to some hacker whose found a security loophole and are exploited it at part of the user's vulnerability.

On the other hand taking into consideration what I'm been saying about some of the reasons Firefox wants you to update, wants you to seemingly protect yourself with an update or a patch and you're going to find calls for installing the latest software simply specious as in my case but overall, i would tend to agree with you.