Bloglines Toolkit 1.6.2 »
This morning I released a new version of the Bloglines Toolkit (version 1.6.2, for those playing at home).
This fixes the problem where context menu options related to links (as opposed to pages) were not working in Firefox 1.5. The items on the context menu that reference pages appear to have been fine all along. If you didn't notice a problem, or you don't use the context menu at all, you would not have been affected.
Because of this, version 1.6.2 is supported in Firefox 1.5 and higher only. Users of Firefox prior to version 1.5 will need to stick with 1.6.0 (or earlier). Changing the "minVersion" will allow the new version of the Toolkit to install, but it will not work correctly on those context items that are related to links.
I've also added a new option to the preferences that lets you turn on a secure connection for all links generated by the Toolkit. Simply go into your preferences screen, click the checkbox, save, and immediately all of your links will being using an SSL connection.
Finally, I need translation help - I have added this new option to all locales, but it's in English. If you helped with one of the earlier translations, please let me know how to translate this new string. And if you want to add a new translation entirely, let me know that too.
Comments (23)
First, thanks for a very useful extension.
Despite manually prodding the auto-update in Tools->Extensions, Firefox 1.5 continues to insist that version 1.6.0 of the toolkit is current. Is something broken in auto-update?
Posted by Gil on January 6, 2006 8:43 AM
I won't say that it isn't broken, as I can't really say - I don't often see updates coming through auto-update, and since I'm already on 1.6.2, it won't try to update again.
For the same reason, I can't completely verify that the update file on the server is working correctly, but I haven't had any other complaints.
If you are unsuccessful, I would recommend you try the download link (above) that will get you to the file directly. It won't be through the auto-update method, but it might provide some more details about what is happening.
Final thought: If you are using auto-update, it will check to see if you are running the correct version of Firefox. Because of changes to the code in this version, it is applicable only to (Firefox) 1.5 or higher. If you are running a prior version of Firefox, it won't install. You'll need to stick with 1.6.0.
Posted by Chad Everett on January 6, 2006 9:16 AM
Not working for me either (and am on Firefox 1.5), so I don't think the update file is working...
Posted by Stephen Duncan Jr on January 6, 2006 9:43 AM
And the direct link?
Posted by Chad Everett on January 6, 2006 9:55 AM
Directly installing it works fine. I'm on 1.6.2 now. But it never saw an update, even with manually telling to find updates.
Posted by Stephen Duncan Jr on January 6, 2006 10:15 AM
If you leave your browser running (or more specifically, don't shut it down), I've noticed that Firefox isn't very good at finding updates. It's like it caches the document when it loads and never re-loads it.
Of course, "never" is probably a bit extreme. I just know it takes a long time - or the clearing of the cache or exiting the browser. I'll see if I can test it out, but it will likely be next week sometime.
Thanks for the info.
Posted by Chad Everett on January 6, 2006 10:26 AM
I shut down my browser pretty frequently. In fact, I had just restarted it to update a bunch of other extensions that had found their updates before I tried the Bloglines toolkit.
It's a non-issue to me though. It's not directly installing it is a particularly onerous task. It'd just be handy for people who don't read your blog regularly. But who care about those kind of people anyway? :)
Posted by Stephen Duncan Jr on January 6, 2006 10:30 AM
Now that's the best bit I've heard all day! :)
Posted by Chad Everett on January 6, 2006 10:38 AM
Everytime I try to download this from http://downloads.everitz.com/Bloglines_Toolkit.xpi, I get a version that identifies as 1.6.0 from mid-December. Did an old version get put back on the site?
Posted by Ben Combee on February 28, 2006 8:30 PM
Might have lost something in the server move. I've updated it now and seem to be getting 1.6.2. Can you check it out?
Posted by Chad Everett on March 1, 2006 11:07 AM
I am unable to install this, in the JavaScript Console I get;
Error: installLocation has no properties
Source File: file:///C:/Program%20Files/Mozilla%20Firefox/components/nsExtensionManager.js
Line: 3391
I am running Firefox 1.5.0.1
Cheers, John
Posted by John on March 8, 2006 9:05 AM
Hi Chad!
The spanish translation of the new string is: "Utilizar SSL cuando sea posible"
And thanks again for this superb extension!
Posted by Rick on April 30, 2006 7:03 PM
any chance of getting a flock compatible version here? The link on the flock site is dead.
Thanks.
Posted by SETH on June 27, 2006 2:07 AM
Hi. Is there a page with a description of what the Bloglines Toolkit is or does?
Posted by Anonymous on August 11, 2006 4:01 PM
Hi Chad!
I'm (trying to) develop a notifier extension for Tiny Tiny RSS (a local RSS Reader) and I'm using your Bloglines Toolkit to guide me.
I'm learning so much, but, do you know any resources that helped you when created the BToolkit?
Thanks again!
Posted by Rick on August 20, 2006 3:51 PM
Hi Rick -
Good luck with your project! The main source of inspiration is usually other extensions. If they do something you want, take them apart and see how.
And don't forget that Firefox itself is like one big extension. Dig into the interface and see how things are done. It can help.
Posted by Chad Everett on August 20, 2006 4:24 PM
Would you consider posting the extension on the Mozilla website?
Posted by Anonymous on August 25, 2006 9:41 AM
You can already get it at Bloglines and at the Extension Room (admittedly, the extension room is a bit dated, but I have no idea how to update it). Feel free to do so if you like.
Posted by Chad Everett on August 25, 2006 9:46 AM
Bloglines recent updates seem to have broken the notifier. Every time it checks for new updates now it appears to think everything is new (ie currently it says I have 15,000+ new articles to read - which is scary).
Posted by Auz on September 30, 2006 11:33 AM
Would like to see this support Firefox 2, as it is close to being released. Also, would be good to have this extension available at the official Mozilla extension site, and updated at bloglines own site, as I think they still offer 1.6, and not 1.6.2 (could be wrong). Thanks!
Posted by Juan on October 7, 2006 6:23 PM
Unfortunately, I cannot help with the folks at Bloglines, as they have become very unresponsive since the acquisition by Ask.
I understand that the Notifier portion reports inaccurate results, but that is because the Bloglines Web Services is reporting inaccurate results, and they don't seem interested in fixing it. Sorry.
As to Firefox Version 2, I'll release an updated version when the release version ships - which as you mention, shouldn't be long.
Posted by Chad Everett on October 8, 2006 9:07 AM
This hasn't been updated in a while, so I thought I should mention that it seems as though with the latest updates to bloglines (at least, it seems to coincide with the latest changes), the notifier constantly says that you have unread items (in my case, 42540) at all times, even when there aren't any.
Posted by Ryan Waddell on October 9, 2006 7:39 AM
It's worth noting both that the unread count appears to be fixed and that a new version of the Bloglines Toolkit has been released.
I'm not sure when the unread counts were updated - I never received a response back from the Bloglines folks, but it does seem to be fixed now.
Posted by Chad Everett on October 25, 2006 9:02 AM