Firefox 3 Bookmarks Management in Ubuntu Linux 9.04

Posted on October 8, 2009 | Category: Browsers, Informational, Linux, Networking, Open-Source, Resources, Server, Ubuntu

As many of you already know, bookmarks management in Firefox is mediocre. For that matter, bookmarks management with any browser in mediocre at best. I wanted a solution for bookmarks management that allowed me to keep a stored copy on my server that did not require me to install an add-on or run a third party service. If you want the uber-simple solution to bookmarks management you can always try XMarks or SyncPLaces with UbuntuOne (v.9.04 or later).

For those that want to get creative, KEEP READING!

Firefox v.2 used a static .html file for bookmarks storage. It was quite simple to go into the directory or export your bookmarks using Firefox > Bookmarks > Organize Bookmarks > Export HTML. When FF3 rolled out, the architecture was much different that previous versions. FF3 now utilizes a profile and SQlite for storing your bookmarks. Your profile is located in /home/username/.mozilla/firefox/some_random_foldername.

If you would like FF3 to provide you with a copy of the good old fashioned bookmarks.html there is an option. Open your browser to about:config. You have the potential to really cause your browser to become dis-functional, so be careful!

Next, use the Filter bar and type in autoexport. You will have one line return. Click the value from false to true. This action will result in the creation of a bookmarks.html located in your profile. The bookmarks.html file will not populate with your bookmarks until the browser is restarted. Why don’t you do that now… Or wait…

Another option for backing up your bookmarks or managing them in another manner is to write a cron job to back up your profile to a central server or external hard drive. It just makes sense.

I am looking at a couple of other options such as creating a sym link to somewhere on my server for the FF3 profile. A rumored options for setting a single static location for your FF3 bookmarks is to visit the about:config screen and add another line to your configuration file. You would need to set browser.bookmarks.file to the location of your choice. I have not tried the options in this paragraph (that will be in Part II of this article). Try at your own risk!

Continue reading Part II