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Main Area and Open Discussion => Living Room => Topic started by: justice on August 16, 2011, 07:51 AM

Title: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: justice on August 16, 2011, 07:51 AM: Firefox is working hard to just have one version, the current one. Firefox 9 or 10 will move the version number from the about window to Help > Troubleshoot.
When a user opens the About window for Firefox, the window should say something like "Firefox checked for updates 20 minutes ago, you are running the latest release."

It is important to say when the last check happened and ideally to do the check when the dialog is launched so that time is very near and to drop the version and simply tell them they're on the latest or not.

from mozilla.dev.usability (http://groups.google.com/group/mozilla.dev.usability/browse_thread/thread/fe75ec92c02be934#)

You will probably not agree but I think this is a good change. It will help supporting Firefox because there will just be two versions that matter: the up to date version, and the old version (which is any older version).
This simplifies any solution and troubleshooting, it either works in the current version, or Firefox will update - if it's connected to the internet. Which means eventually, Firefox is always up to date and there will no old versions and therefore no issues.

Probably the biggest obstacle to getting everyone to keep autoupdate on is the bundling of crap with installers, as we discussed before.
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: vlastimil on August 16, 2011, 08:38 AM: It is the right way to go. While it means that the users are less in control of the software they run on their computers, it simplifies the development and maintenance by a great deal.

From the developer perspective, automatic updates are a blessing. If a bug is found, it can be fixed and the fix is distributed to all users within few days without bothering them. It is a tremendous help.

I am planning automatic updates for new versions of my software, but implementing a 100% working transparent automatic updates is pretty tough. Kudos to Firefox devs.
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: rssapphire on August 16, 2011, 10:25 AM: The last thing I want is updates that download and install whenever they want unless the publisher can guarantee (with his life and gene pool forfeit if he is incorrect) that the update will never interfere with any other software/hardware on my machine and will never download if I need the bandwidth for something else or if I am near my bandwidth limit if any. As I doubt many developers will be able (let alone willing) to do this, auto-download/update should always default to off -- if the user wants it, the user can turn it on. Note that an (unchecked) option to turn it on during the install is fine.
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: cyberdiva on August 16, 2011, 10:33 AM: Perhaps I'm not understanding this correctly, but I think Firefox updating itself automatically is not a good idea for a couple of reasons. One is that at times the add-on developers don't come out with new versions of their add-ons as soon as a new Firefox version appears. I have often waited to update because add-ons for some software I depended on weren't yet compatible. (And on at least one occasion, I had to stay with an older version of Firefox because I couldn't update the software and the add-on for the old software wouldn't work in the new Firefox.)

In addition to the above issue, there's also the fact that many people (I among them) prefer to wait a bit before updating Firefox to be sure no serious bugs are reported in the new version. I would NOT want to be forced to update before I felt confident that the new version was OK.

(When I was about to post the above I was told that another post had been added. I see that rssapphire has misgivings somewhat similar to mine. :Thmbsup: )
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: 40hz on August 16, 2011, 10:35 AM: It is the right way to go. While it means that the users are less in control of the software they run on their computers, it simplifies the development and maintenance by a great deal.

-vlastimil (August 16, 2011, 08:38 AM)

I must be stoned while I'm reading this. :huh:

How, in the name of all that is decent, can giving users less control over what gets installed on their machines ever be viewed as "the right way to go"? :P
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: AndyM on August 16, 2011, 11:14 AM: I always want the opportunity to backup just before any updates, so I would never want anything automatically updated.
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: vlastimil on August 16, 2011, 11:30 AM: I must be stoned while I'm reading this. :huh:

How, in the name of all that is decent, can giving users less control over what gets installed on their machines ever be viewed as "the right way to go"? :P
-40hz (August 16, 2011, 10:35 AM)

I know that it seems weird, but let's face the facts. An installer that is given admin permissions can do really evil things to your computer. The risk is here already. Control over your own computer is an illusion unless you run linux and review every bit of source code you install. Automatic updates can at least compensate this downside.

Do you think that you know better than the developers that this patch is good or bad for you? Do you want to invest the time to find out? Do you want your data lost or your computer hacked because of a stupid bug that has been fixed years ago, but you were too lazy to install the update? Sum this all up and you'll end up with a huge positive value. That's why I am saying, automatic updates are the way to go even if there is some loss of control over your computer. I know that few power users would be annoyed by this, but the silent majority will benefit greatly.

Look at the state of Internet Explorer. There are still people using IE6. How much easier it would be to develop a style for a web site if everyone had the latest version of their favorite browser?

As a user, I'd much rather use a portable application that auto-updates itself and runs with limited permissions than install anything that requires admin permissions.
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: mwb1100 on August 16, 2011, 12:14 PM: The last thing I want is updates that download and install whenever they want unless the publisher can guarantee (with his life and gene pool forfeit if he is incorrect) that the update will never interfere with any other software/hardware on my machine and will never download if I need the bandwidth for something else or if I am near my bandwidth limit if any.
-rssapphire (August 16, 2011, 10:25 AM)

Another reason updates shouldn't be automatic is that they often change the functionality or UI of the program.

As a cranky old man, I hate it when things change.
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: nudone on August 16, 2011, 12:19 PM: That reminds me...

[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
http://www.smbc-comics.com/index.php?db=comics&id=2337#comic
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: hamradio on August 16, 2011, 12:42 PM: Just gives me another reason to add to my list of when to look elsewhere for my browser needs. Mozilla has almost made the list full...and when it becomes full...bad things will happen to the Firefox on my computer...(as in removal and never looking back). I for one don't think browser updates should be forced down your throat with automatic updates and having a version number in the about box is standard procedure...if they are going to remove it then they should just rename the stupid about box name to Check for Update as that will be all it is going to mainly be in the box afterwards.

Bottom line: If my firefox automatically updated today I would not be able to use Stylish at the time of this writing cause the version number is not set to go with the newly released 6. It is one of the many reasons I don't like it to update automatically.
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: cyberdiva on August 16, 2011, 01:16 PM: Control over your own computer is an illusion unless you run linux and review every bit of source code you install. Automatic updates can at least compensate this downside.
-vlastimil (August 16, 2011, 11:30 AM)
Well, all I want is control over those aspects that I understand. I understand that some of my add-ons will often fail to work if I update Firefox too soon. I understand that when people who upgrade Firefox as soon as possible report all kinds of problems, I want to be able to hold off on updating. I have no desire to be the canary in the coalmine.

My approach to Firefox updates is much the same as my approach to Windows Updates. I have set Windows Updates to let me know when new ones are available, but let me decide whether and when to download and install them.
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: vlastimil on August 16, 2011, 01:28 PM: I understand that some of my add-ons will often fail to work if I update Firefox too soon. I understand that when people who upgrade Firefox as soon as possible report all kinds of problems, I want to be able to hold off on updating. I have no desire to be the canary in the coalmine.
-cyberdiva (August 16, 2011, 01:16 PM)

A properly implemented automatic updates should be able to cover this typical scenario. The Firefox devs would be stupid if they implemented automatic updates in a way that breaks their users' browsers. It is not that hard to compare version numbers of your extensions and determine whether a patch should be applied now or next week together with an extension update. Why do people always assume that developers cannot see the simplest things? Do programmers really deserve this? :D
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: nosh on August 16, 2011, 03:31 PM: A lot of extensions marked incompatible work fine even after FF has moved up several versions. If someone were to rely solely on automatic updates FF would never update. And perhaps throw a nag box about incompatible extensions everytime it checked for an update. There are too many ifs and buts to implement an intelligent auto update for FF.
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: JavaJones on August 16, 2011, 04:21 PM: I tend to agree with vlastimil. While I, as a power user, don't necessarily prefer automatic updates, it is a good thing for the vast majority of users *if* it can be implemented properly. By proper implementation I mean that it will never restart the browser or computer without the user's consent, it will never break extensions or if it does it will ask the user if that's ok *and* allow them to delay update for some time, and finally that the test cycle prior to pushing new updates is comprehensive enough that the vast majority do not have any "weird problems" and need to wait to see if it's a "good update". Really we have learned to compensate for the bad habits of our software publishers and hopefully that does not have to last forever.

Regarding extension compatibility, I believe Mozilla has at least a partial solution with the Add-on SDK and changes in how Firefox handles plugin version compatibility:
http://blog.mozilla.com/addons/2011/04/19/add-on-compatibility-rapid-releases/
and more on that:
http://www.oxymoronical.com/blog/2011/06/Why-do-Firefox-updates-break-add-ons

- Oshyan
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: f0dder on August 16, 2011, 05:56 PM: The version number bumping Mozilla has been doing lately is silly - and now they want to hide the version number? That's outright stupid. Yes, you should be running "version latest", but as long as stuff breaks (and not always just in a "fix the version number in the .xpi" way) with updates, people aren't going to do that.

I'm all for a more agile release cycle, and making updates painless is a very good idea - heck, 100% automatic update to bugfix versions is a decent idea. But as soon as something changes - no way. At least there needs to be a way to turn it off. It might work just fine for all your regular joes, but for power users and enterprise situations? No. No, no, no and no.
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: cyberdiva on August 16, 2011, 06:07 PM: I tend to agree with vlastimil. While I, as a power user, don't necessarily prefer automatic updates, it is a good thing for the vast majority of users *if* it can be implemented properly. By proper implementation I mean that it will never restart the browser or computer without the user's consent, it will never break extensions or if it does it will ask the user if that's ok *and* allow them to delay update for some time....
-JavaJones (August 16, 2011, 04:21 PM)

What you're describing is not so different from what Firefox has been doing for some time. When a new version (or sub-version) is issued, I'm told when I use FF that a new version is out and I'm asked whether I want to update now. I'm given the choice of updating now or having FF ask me again later. I think that's quite different from the automatic updating that seemed to be described earlier in this thread, updating that gives the user little or no say.
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: nosh on August 17, 2011, 02:03 AM: FF users need to stop giving IE a bad rap. We need the "vast majority" to stay there so the Mozilla devs can take care of stuff that matters and put an end to the weirdness that's creeping up over there.

[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: Daleus on August 17, 2011, 08:52 AM: I agree with all of the stated reasons Automatic, uncontrollable updates are unsavory.

For myself, I wish they'd fix the problem with getting rid of add-ons that don't work after an update. Never been able to get the things uninstalled. Instead they are rendered "disabled" but lag around in the list until the next version release.

Of course, that problem would be resolved if there was some proper notification during updates/upgrades that plugins won't work, and I mean a specific notification of *which* add-on doesn't work, with the option to rollback the current installation.

And no I won't stop bashing IE.
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: mahesh2k on August 19, 2011, 03:17 AM: By the way what is "release update channel". I dont get automatic updates dialog on firefox but it only updates when i go to about firefox dialog.

(http://s3.postimage.org/5rvyui1d4/firefox.jpg)
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: cyberdiva on August 19, 2011, 09:07 AM: Of course, that problem would be resolved if there was some proper notification during updates/upgrades that plugins won't work, and I mean a specific notification of *which* add-on doesn't work, with the option to rollback the current installation.
-Daleus (August 17, 2011, 08:52 AM)

Hmmm...that's strange. When I got the notification of FF6 being available, I had the choice of Upgrade or Ask me later. After a while, I chose Upgrade, and that produced a box telling me which of my add-ons wouldn't work with FF6, and it also gave me a chance to go back to the original box and click on Ask me later. I did that a couple of times, and each time the number of add-ons diminished (e.g., Linkman issued a new version that works with FF6, so Linkman was no longer listed in the won't-work box). Now there's just one left. I'd try to force it to be compatible, but I see no reason to rush to update to FF6, so I'll just stay with 5 and be patient.
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: Renegade on August 19, 2011, 09:34 AM: It is the right way to go. While it means that the users are less in control of the software they run on their computers, it simplifies the development and maintenance by a great deal.

-vlastimil (August 16, 2011, 08:38 AM)

I must be stoned while I'm reading this. :huh:

How, in the name of all that is decent, can giving users less control over what gets installed on their machines ever be viewed as "the right way to go"? :P

-40hz (August 16, 2011, 10:35 AM)

+1

FORCING updates is a bad idea.

If Microsoft did this, there would be no end to the ever rising volume and levels of obscenity and profanity, which even I could not hope to aspire to. :P

If I did this, people would scream at me.

If Adobe did this, people would cry bloody murder.

This already happens in the gaming world, and it's annoying as Hell.

Forcing updates in Firefox, for me, will make it only useful for testing. I would never use it again. After I went to try to use it, and it told me to wait for 5 minutes (or whatever) while it updates? Sorry. I have 3 other browsers open already, and I don't need the hassle.

However, I think it is a good thing for most people. Having it update by default would be good (for most people), but an opt out would be necessary. I would be happy with the option to not update.
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: Renegade on August 19, 2011, 09:38 AM: Look at the state of Internet Explorer. There are still people using IE6. How much easier it would be to develop a style for a web site if everyone had the latest version of their favorite browser?

As a user, I'd much rather use a portable application that auto-updates itself and runs with limited permissions than install anything that requires admin permissions.
-vlastimil (August 16, 2011, 11:30 AM)

IE6... sigh... such a dreadful thing...

I like the idea of a portable auto-updater with limited permissions. That makes sense. (Can you manage that for the registry to make it the default browser then under limited permissions?)
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: KynloStephen66515 on August 19, 2011, 06:22 PM: And not one bad remark about Opera (http://www.opera.com/)...need I say more?
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: f0dder on August 21, 2011, 08:56 AM: And not one bad remark about Opera (http://www.opera.com/)...need I say more?
-Stephen66515 (August 19, 2011, 06:22 PM)
Probably because most of us stopped caring about that years ago? :)
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: 40hz on August 21, 2011, 09:31 AM: And not one bad remark about Opera (http://www.opera.com/)...need I say more?
-Stephen66515 (August 19, 2011, 06:22 PM)
Probably because most of us stopped caring about that years ago? :)
-f0dder (August 21, 2011, 08:56 AM)

I think many rather than most would be more correct.

Lately, I find myself using Opera more and more. Especially when frequenting forums. :Thmbsup:
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: Renegade on August 21, 2011, 09:48 AM: And not one bad remark about Opera (http://www.opera.com/)...need I say more?
-Stephen66515 (August 19, 2011, 06:22 PM)
Probably because most of us stopped caring about that years ago? :)
-f0dder (August 21, 2011, 08:56 AM)

I think many rather than most would be more correct.

Lately, I find myself using Opera more and more. Especially when frequenting forums. :Thmbsup:
-40hz (August 21, 2011, 09:31 AM)

+1

Though lately I've been using Opera and Chrome a lot. (I'm using Chrome for Travian. I don't like games in my main browser.)
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: CaptainDDL on August 21, 2011, 09:27 PM: I wouldn't mind the automatic updates to be honest, if they could somehow prevent extensions from breaking constantly.

I like how Chrome does updates...seamlessly in the background, nary a complaint. All extensions work normally, no user interaction required past opening the browser.
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: cgl on August 22, 2011, 07:23 AM: The single number is OK. Automatic updates are a pain. I depend on Roboform Everywhere for my desktop and laptop. I*f Firefox updates automatically without Roboform update I am lost. Gary
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: Deozaan on August 22, 2011, 09:22 AM: I like how Chrome does updates...seamlessly in the background, nary a complaint. All extensions work normally, no user interaction required past opening the browser.
-CaptainDDL (August 21, 2011, 09:27 PM)

I love Chrome and I use it for just about everything, but I do have one complaint with the automatic updates:

When Chrome auto-updates itself or possibly some extensions, it will also automatically restart itself. This usually isn't very intrusive as the only indication of this happening is that all of your tabs will appear to refresh themselves. But having a tab refresh itself can cause problems if you're preloading/buffering a large video or typing a long message in a forum or e-mail.

In these scenarios, an unexpected refresh can cause you to lose your message that took you hours to type up or make you have to restart the buffering of the video, which might have also taken hours to pre-load on slower connections.

That is a very bad implementation of what is IMO an otherwise great feature.
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: Stoic Joker on August 22, 2011, 11:48 AM: That is a very bad implementation of what is IMO an otherwise great feature.
-Deozaan (August 22, 2011, 09:22 AM)

Indeed. From you description it brings to mind the rule of least astonishment - which to me it clearly violates.
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: justice on August 22, 2011, 12:18 PM: I've never seen this, only a prompt that asks me to restart chrome because its been a while and theres an update waiting to be installed.
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: JavaJones on August 22, 2011, 06:15 PM: I've never seen this, only a prompt that asks me to restart chrome because its been a while and theres an update waiting to be installed.
-justice (August 22, 2011, 12:18 PM)

Likewise. Are you sure it actually works the way you think it does?

- Oshyan
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: steeladept on August 23, 2011, 02:21 AM: Do you think that you know better than the developers that this patch is good or bad for you?
-vlastimil (August 16, 2011, 11:30 AM)
Yes.

How does the developer know my setup and my system? He doesn't. You are looking at this only from the side that the developer knows his own program, and that may be true. But he doesn't know, and definitely doesn't care, about the intricacies of my system. Only I do. What he is patching may already be covered by some other form of protection on my system. Does he know? No. What his patch "fixes" may cause other issues with my system. Does he know? No. Does he care? Maybe at best. No, I am responsible for systems under my care, I should have the capability to choose how to run them - not have it forced down my throat. Do you want to make it install by default? Fine, but still give me the choice. Just like the developer has the choice to NOT support older versions (or to charge for that support), I should have the choice NOT to install the newer version. Taking away that choice is NEVER a good idea.

If Mozilla thinks it is a good idea to become Chrome, fine. Just don't be surprised as EVERYONE jumps ship to either the original Chrome or something more in line with what they are looking for. The Mozilla Foundation has completely ignored what made them grow so big in the first place - and in an effort to grow larger, they are abandoning that key segment and going after as a "me too".
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: ecaradec on August 23, 2011, 04:44 AM: Just a precision for addons :

Incompatible addons on Firefox should come to an end probably before : Mozilla already has made changes to automatically detect incompatible changes and notify developers. If addons are detected compatible they'll be marked as compatible automatically. This exclude addons with binary components, but this will come to an end as well. Mozilla has js-ctypes now, which allows to access the system without requiring binaries. They also made much harder to build binary components, you have to build it specifically for each version of Firefox and there will be a new one every 6 week, so it's probable almost everyone quit doing this. Incompatible addons won't probably be an issue shortly.

Personnally I welcome the change. It's not nice for sys admin, but I don't really like, installing and installing softwares just to keep them up to date. Actually I think this will cause pression for programmers to release working software on as much as possible everyone.
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: Stoic Joker on August 23, 2011, 07:09 AM: Do you think that you know better than the developers that this patch is good or bad for you?
-vlastimil (August 16, 2011, 11:30 AM)
Yes.

How does the developer know my setup and my system? He doesn't. You are looking at this only from the side that the developer knows his own program, and that may be true. But he doesn't know, and definitely doesn't care, about the intricacies of my system. Only I do. What he is patching may already be covered by some other form of protection on my system. Does he know? No. What his patch "fixes" may cause other issues with my system. Does he know? No. Does he care? Maybe at best. No, I am responsible for systems under my care, I should have the capability to choose how to run them - not have it forced down my throat. Do you want to make it install by default? Fine, but still give me the choice. Just like the developer has the choice to NOT support older versions (or to charge for that support), I should have the choice NOT to install the newer version. Taking away that choice is NEVER a good idea.
-steeladept (August 23, 2011, 02:21 AM)

+1 Browser patches can break functionality of web applications, and if that web app happens to be mission critical ... No is an important answer to have available. Currently MS is pushing IE9, however when installed, it breaks the native MS Fax printer because of its treatment of preview.js.

Why? Hell-if-I-Know. But I have the IE9 update blocked for all machines located at clients that use the native MS Fax server. Because that's the only way to keep them running right now.
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: tomos on August 23, 2011, 07:56 AM: Currently MS is pushing IE9, however when installed, it breaks the native MS Fax printer because of its treatment of preview.js.
-Stoic Joker (August 23, 2011, 07:09 AM)

breaks functionality in InfoQube as well where it's used for the viewer, and screws up other apps as well I've heard (sorry dont have any more details)
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: Jesper Hertel on August 25, 2011, 01:24 AM: Do you want to make it install by default? Fine, but still give me the choice. Just like the developer has the choice to NOT support older versions (or to charge for that support), I should have the choice NOT to install the newer version. Taking away that choice is NEVER a good idea.
-steeladept (August 23, 2011, 02:21 AM)
I agree.

It seems like to avoid an automatic upgrade you will have to block the address it uses to check for (or download) upgrades in your firewall or local proxy. I use Privoxy and could block it there (although I personally don't need to).

There is always a practical solution. :-)
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: Deozaan on August 25, 2011, 01:28 AM: I've never seen this, only a prompt that asks me to restart chrome because its been a while and theres an update waiting to be installed.
-justice (August 22, 2011, 12:18 PM)

Likewise. Are you sure it actually works the way you think it does?

- Oshyan
-JavaJones (August 22, 2011, 06:15 PM)

Nope. I'm not sure.

All I know is that occasionally all of my tabs suddenly reload themselves. I guess I just assumed it was because of an update but I suppose it could also be silently recovering from some sort of crash or something else entirely.
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: Jesper Hertel on August 25, 2011, 03:09 AM: I've never seen this, only a prompt that asks me to restart chrome because its been a while and theres an update waiting to be installed.
-justice (August 22, 2011, 12:18 PM)

Likewise. Are you sure it actually works the way you think it does?

- Oshyan
-JavaJones (August 22, 2011, 06:15 PM)

Nope. I'm not sure.

All I know is that occasionally all of my tabs suddenly reload themselves. I guess I just assumed it was because of an update but I suppose it could also be silently recovering from some sort of crash or something else entirely.
-Deozaan (August 25, 2011, 01:28 AM)
Funny, I made exactly the same observation as Deozaan, and made exactly the same assumption (that the reload of all tabs was due to an update), and I also don't know if my assumption is correct :).
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: justice on August 25, 2011, 03:44 AM: I have been searching for things like "chrome tab auto recover crash" and "chrome tab auto reload" but I can't find any other experiences either way that explain what's going on. So all I can tell you is that I suspect it's an extension you might have installed that periodically checks/reloads tabs, if it isn't crashing. Because I haven't seen tabs appearing to refresh itself and I use chrome for about 3 hours every day.
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: Deozaan on August 25, 2011, 10:45 AM: I have been searching for things like "chrome tab auto recover crash" and "chrome tab auto reload" but I can't find any other experiences either way that explain what's going on. So all I can tell you is that I suspect it's an extension you might have installed that periodically checks/reloads tabs, if it isn't crashing. Because I haven't seen tabs appearing to refresh itself and I use chrome for about 3 hours every day.
-justice (August 25, 2011, 03:44 AM)

Interesting. I use Chrome for far longer each day, and usually never even close it except, obviously, when rebooting (which doesn't happen often).

As far as I know, none of my extensions should be reloading the tabs. Here are my extensions:

Adblock Plus for Google Chrome™ (Beta) - Version: 1.1.4
Ads were yesterday! The successful extension Adblock Plus is now available for Google Chrome™.


Facebook Disconnect - Version: 1.0.2
Stop Facebook from tracking the webpages you go to.


goo.gl URL Shortener Lite - Version: 0.7.0
Shorten url with goo.gl, the Google URL shortener. Lite version without keyboard shortcuts and context menu


Google Chrome to Phone Extension - Version: 2.3.1 (Disabled)
Google Chrome to Phone Extension enables you to send links and other information from Chrome to your Android device.


Google Reader Notifier (by Google) - Version: 1.3.1
Displays the number of unread items in your Google Reader account. Clicking can show a preview popup or open your Reader account.


Google Voice (by Google) - Version: 2.2.3.4
Make calls, send SMS, preview Inbox, and get notified of new messages. (US only)


IBA Opt-out (by Google) - Version: 1.0 (Disabled)
Save your interest-based advertising opt-out preference permanently.


InvisibleHand - Version: 0.9.25
Automatically get the lowest price on whatever you’re buying


LastPass - Version: 1.75.5
LastPass is a free password manager and form filler. LastPass is also available for Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari.


Personal Blocklist (by Google) - Version: 2.0
Blocks domains/hosts from appearing in your Google search results.


Silver Bird - Version: 1.9.8.4
Silver Bird is a Twitter extension that allows you to follow your timelines and interact with your Twitter account.


SmoothScroll - Version: 1.0.1
Scrolls the websites smoothly when scrolling with the mouse wheel or the keyboard


SubSonic - Version: 2.0
Subsonic is a free, web-based media streamer, providing ubiquitous access to your music.


YouTube Video Download - Version: 3.0.40
Scans the YouTube page for all formats, including 1080p on selected videos. Designed to be lightweight and unobtrusive, it runs entirely on the page without contacting any external sites.
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: Jesper Hertel on August 25, 2011, 11:15 AM: I have been searching for things like "chrome tab auto recover crash" and "chrome tab auto reload" but I can't find any other experiences either way that explain what's going on. So all I can tell you is that I suspect it's an extension you might have installed that periodically checks/reloads tabs, if it isn't crashing. Because I haven't seen tabs appearing to refresh itself and I use chrome for about 3 hours every day.
-justice (August 25, 2011, 03:44 AM)

Interesting. I use Chrome for far longer each day, and usually never even close it except, obviously, when rebooting (which doesn't happen often).

As far as I know, none of my extensions should be reloading the tabs. Here are my extensions:

Adblock Plus for Google Chrome™ (Beta) - Version: 1.1.4
Ads were yesterday! The successful extension Adblock Plus is now available for Google Chrome™.

Facebook Disconnect - Version: 1.0.2
Stop Facebook from tracking the webpages you go to.

...
-Deozaan (August 25, 2011, 10:45 AM)
How did you make that list? Did you edit it by hand? Or could you copy it directly using some nice extension? And how did the titles get bold? Is it possible to paste formatted text into comments here in the forum?

Here is my list of active extensions (created by copying from the extension list and massaging using regular expressions in TextPad):

AdBlock - Version: 2.4.23
The most popular Chrome extension, with over 2 million users! Blocks ads all over the web.

Answers by Answers.com - Version: 1.0.5
Double click any word while holding ctrl (Windows) or alt (Mac)

Extensions - Version: 0.9
Quicker access for the Extensions window

Facebook Disconnect - Version: 1.0.2
Stop Facebook from tracking the webpages you go to.

Facebook Sidebar Chat Reversion - Version: 2.0.5
Reverts the new Facebook chat to the old one, simple.

Facebook Video Downloader - Version: 1.0
Download link for Facebook Videos

Fullscreen Google Maps - Version: 3.2
The original extesion to make Google Maps fullscreen.

Google Dictionary (by Google) - Version: 3.0.4
View definitions easily as you browse the web.

Google Fremhæver - Version: 1.8
Google Fremhæver giver dig mulighed for at gå direkte til relevante tekststykker i et Google-søgeresultat.

Highlight to Search (by Google) - Version: 1.0.34
Highlight to Search allows you search keywords by highlighting instead of typing them into a search box.

Hover Zoom - Version: 3.1
Enlarge thumbnails on mouse over. Works on many sites (Facebook, Twitter, Google™, Flickr, Reddit, Amazon, etc).

Klip til Evernote - Version: 5.1.15.1534
Brug Evernote-udvidelsen til at gemme ting, du ser på nettet til din Evernote-bruger. Du kan selv søge efter noter.

Proxy Switchy! - Version: 1.6.3
Manage and switch between multiple proxies quickly and easily.

Read Later Fast - Version: 1.3.3
Save pages to read later -- online or offline, and fast! Avoid too many tabs and make your browsing a blast!

RSS-tilmelding (fra Google) - Version: 2.1.3
Føjer tilmelding i ét klik til din værktøjslinje.

Send from Gmail (by Google) - Version: 1.12
Makes Gmail your default email application and provides a button to compose a Gmail message to quickly share a link via email

Session Buddy - Version: 2.1.2
A Flexible Session Manager for Chrome

SmoothScroll - Version: 1.0.1
Scrolls the websites smoothly when scrolling with the mouse wheel or the keyboard

Web Developer - Version: 0.3.1
Adds a toolbar button with various web developer tools. The official port of the Web Developer extension for Firefox.
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: Deozaan on August 26, 2011, 08:01 AM: How did you make that list? Did you edit it by hand? Or could you copy it directly using some nice extension? And how did the titles get bold? Is it possible to paste formatted text into comments here in the forum?
-Jesper Hertel (August 25, 2011, 11:15 AM)

I just copied it from the Chrome Extensions page and then manually edited it and bolded the titles. Regex would have been better except for the fact that it would have taken me longer to find out the expression to match the titles than it did to manually bold them all. :D

Anyway, so it looks like we have the following in common:

Facebook Disconnect - Version: 1.0.2
Stop Facebook from tracking the webpages you go to.

SmoothScroll - Version: 1.0.1
Scrolls the websites smoothly when scrolling with the mouse wheel or the keyboard

So if it is an extension that is doing this to us, I guess it should be one of those two, since we're both experiencing the same issue.
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: justice on August 26, 2011, 08:04 AM: I use smooth scroll and i dont have the issue
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: justice on August 26, 2011, 08:33 AM: Btw, On Second Thought Firefox Will Keep Its Version Numbers (http://www.readwriteweb.com/hack/2011/08/on-second-thought-firefox-will.php) :-\
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: Jesper Hertel on August 26, 2011, 05:21 PM: Btw, On Second Thought Firefox Will Keep Its Version Numbers (http://www.readwriteweb.com/hack/2011/08/on-second-thought-firefox-will.php) :-\
-justice (August 26, 2011, 08:33 AM)
Good choice! :Thmbsup:
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: Jesper Hertel on August 26, 2011, 05:26 PM: I use smooth scroll and i dont have the issue
-justice (August 26, 2011, 08:04 AM)
And since I installed Facebook Disconnect just a day ago, being inspired by Deozaan's list :P, it probably cannot be the extensions that do it. So I still have the belief that it is something Chrome does, but I have no proof of it and haven't seen it mentioned anywhere :).
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: Deozaan on August 27, 2011, 10:18 AM: I installed Facebook Disconnect just a day ago
-Jesper Hertel (August 26, 2011, 05:26 PM)

Be aware that Facebook Disconnect gets rid of the Facebook "Like" buttons on all websites except Facebook.com. I am personally glad of that feature, but it can cause confusion if you're on a site that says "Click the Like button to get your free content!" and the Like button is nowhere to be found. :Thmbsup:
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: Jesper Hertel on August 27, 2011, 12:07 PM: Be aware that Facebook Disconnect gets rid of the Facebook "Like" buttons on all websites except Facebook.com
-Deozaan (August 27, 2011, 10:18 AM)
Yes, I am aware of that and that is exactly what I want! :up: And I won't click "like" just to get free content anyway - I only do that if I really like something. ;)
Title: Re: Firefox fixes the version number problem
Post by: f0dder on September 01, 2011, 10:55 AM: I installed Facebook Disconnect just a day ago
-Jesper Hertel (August 26, 2011, 05:26 PM)

Be aware that Facebook Disconnect gets rid of the Facebook "Like" buttons on all websites except Facebook.com. I am personally glad of that feature, but it can cause confusion if you're on a site that says "Click the Like button to get your free content!" and the Like button is nowhere to be found. :Thmbsup:
-Deozaan (August 27, 2011, 10:18 AM)
Which is actually a good thing, since you're less likely to get hit by clickjacking that way :)