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Github shortcuts

  • 14 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by AliceWyman

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Lately, when I try to create a desktop shortcut from the Github website, it instead create a folder, with the correct title of the page, and what looks like a link inside, with an abbreviated website name, but is not a shortcut at all.

Example: Try dragging the address bar padlock from this page to your desktop

Welcome to Refined GitHub!

Same thing happens when I try to drag its bookmark to the desktop.

Creating the shortcut from Chrome works properly, so I assume this is a Firefox problem.

Lately, when I try to create a desktop shortcut from the Github website, it instead create a folder, with the correct title of the page, and what looks like a link inside, with an abbreviated website name, but is not a shortcut at all. Example: Try dragging the address bar padlock from this page to your desktop [https://github.com/refined-github/refined-github/issues/3543 Welcome to Refined GitHub!] Same thing happens when I try to drag its bookmark to the desktop. Creating the shortcut from Chrome works properly, so I assume this is a Firefox problem.

Modified by noel_envode

All Replies (14)

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If I drag any tab to the desktop, it immediately open a new Firefox window. I assume that's what you are referring to when you say "url tab".

What happened when you went to that link I posted and dragged it to the desktop?

Modified by noel_envode

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Chosen Solution

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As a workaround until this is fixed, you could run a script to sanitize the page title to make it a legal file name. I tested this lightly, and don't know whether other pages you visit might have illegal characters I'm not cleaning -- which are the following:

  • \ / : | changed to _
  •  ? * changed to a space
  • < > " changed to [ ] ' respectively

This is the script:

// grab page title
var ot=document.title; 
// create new title without the illegal characters
t=ot.replace(/[\\\/\:\|]/g, '_').replace(/[\?\*]/g, ' ').replace(/</g, '[').replace(/>/g, ']').replace(/"/g, '\'').trim(); 
// prompt for confirmation
t=window.prompt('Edit the sanitized title as desired [originally: '+ot+']', t); 
// if confirmed, replace the page title
if(t)document.title=t;


To install that as a bookmarklet -- a script saved as a button on the Bookmarks Toolbar button -- see:

https://www.jeffersonscher.com/res/sumomarklets.html#saniTitle

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^: I noticed that you forgot to declare 't' (e.g. var ot=document.title, t;).

  • t=window.prompt('TITLE\nOriginal:\n'+ot+'\nSanitized:\n'+t,t);
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cor-el said

^: I noticed that you forgot to declare 't' (e.g. var ot=document.title, t;).

You can tell I don't test in strict mode or that would have been flagged.

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jscher2000 - Support Volunteer said

As a workaround until this is fixed, you could run a script to sanitize the page title to make it a legal file name.

Thanks. This works for the current address, but it's still impossible to drag an "evil" link from a page.

I can't believe they broke this -- but, sadly, I can believe they can't be bothered to FIX it.

I still miss having more than one tab row. I hate having to slide a big list of tabs sideways. Thanks for breaking the existing add-ons, Mozilla Rokkit Surjinz!

As an aside, I can't figure out why FF keeps losing market share...

PS: Anyone know where I can submit my idea for an official Mozilla Slogan?

"If it works, fix it!"

Modified by Kogaku

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Kogaku said

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer said

As a workaround until this is fixed, you could run a script to sanitize the page title to make it a legal file name.
Thanks. This works for the current address, but it's still impossible to drag an "evil" link from a page.

Correct, changing the text of every link in the page is not covered by the script.

I can't believe they broke this -- but, sadly, I can believe they can't be bothered to FIX it.

Mistakes happen to most people, and dragging links with illegal characters apparently isn't covered by the thousands of automated tests that run in the background when new code is checked in. This bug is fixed in Firefox 103, currently in beta testing. I don't know whether there is going to be a Firefox 102.0.1 release with this fix before the scheduled July 26 release of Firefox 103, but considering the number of people complaining, it would be a good idea.

I still miss having more than one tab row. I hate having to slide a big list of tabs sideways.

Firefox never had a built-in feature to show tabs on more than one row. You could explore using custom style rules to hack the tabs bar. Probably best to use https://www.reddit.com/r/FirefoxCSS/ for that.

Otherwise, if you aren't already using the "Tab Manager" button (says "List all tabs" when you hold the mouse pointer over it), that might help a bit.

And of course it is an option to use the sidebar for tabs with either of these:

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jscher2000 - Support Volunteer said

cor-el said

^: I noticed that you forgot to declare 't' (e.g. var ot=document.title, t;).

You can tell I don't test in strict mode or that would have been flagged.

Hi jscher2000,

Am I supposed to add

t=window.prompt('TITLE\nOriginal:\n'+ot+'\nSanitized:\n'+t,t);

to the script?

Modified by noel_envode

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You can possibly replace the corresponding line in the bookmarklet with the modified line to get more information (i.e. it shows the changes more clearly). You can of course use this bookmarklet in other cases where you want to modify the page title like before creating a bookmark.


javascript:(function(){
var ot=document.title; 
var t=ot.replace(/[\\\/\:\|]/g, '_').replace(/[\?\*]/g, ' ').replace(/</g, '[').replace(/>/g, ']').replace(/"/g, '\'').trim(); 
t=window.prompt('Original:\n'+ot+'\nSanitized:\n'+t+'\n\nEdit Title and click OK to Confirm',t);
if(t)document.title=t;
})();

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102.0.1 -- seems to be fixed!

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This bug was fixed in the Firefox update to version 102.0.1 which was released yesterday. Release notes: http://www.mozilla.org/firefox/102.0.1/releasenotes/

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It seems to have broken something else, argh... I am now unable to access our DirecTV account (which uses ATT for password authentication). We've reset the password numerous times, it works on Chrome (spit), and worked on Firefox UNTIL it restarted while installing 102.0.1.

What happens is that it reports that the password is no good and we should try another ID (as if we had one).

I do NOT want to run Chrome!!!!!

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To Kogaku: Please ask a new question. Your problem with DirecTV password authentication is a separate issue and this thread is for helping noel_envode, the question owner. See Mozilla Support rules and guidelines under Posting support requests.

to noel_envode: is your problem creating desktop shortcuts solved by updating Firefox to version 102.0.1? See Update Firefox to the latest release.