Firefox Portable 1.5.0.7 Pre-Release 5 - Testers Urgently Needed

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September 15, 2006 - 2:19am

John T. Haller

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Firefox Portable 1.5.0.7 Pre-Release 5 - Testers Urgently Needed

I've posted a pre-release of 1.5.0.7 for testers. Despite this being an incremental upgrade of Firefox, the portable version is seeing a number of changes. If we could get some folks giving these another once-over before they're released to the world, that would be great...

Unicode Command Lines - As posted in the FFP launcher thread, this release now supports unicode paths passed on the commandline.
Win 95/98 Live Support - There was an issue affecting Live mode under Win 9x that has been fixed.
Alternate Directory Structures Dropped - All alternate directory structures have been dropped. This allows for a more simplified launcher and increases startup time a bit. You can always use an INI to setup your own structure. the readme.txt is now linked to right in the help file.
Intelligent Start - The launcher now keeps track of what path you're launching from. That way, if you launch a second time from the same location... or move to another PC that happens to give you the same drive letter... the launcher won't re-process the chrome.rdf (if any) and it won't make Firefox rebuild the compreg.dat file. The result is much faster startups when the path doesn't change. One note on this new ability... you'll need to delete the FirefoxPortable\Data\settings\FirefoxPortableSettings.ini file if you copy your own local profile into Firefox Portable (or just set the only parameter in it to blank or NONE). This is where FFP keeps track of the paths changing. If you copy a profile in without altering this... FFP won't fix your paths correctly.
Local Files Cleaned Up - Firefox still leaves behind a couple directories and a single file when run portably... but the launcher now sticks around until after FF is closed... and will then cleanup those files. So, now, FFP leaves no files at all behind on PCs you run it on.

As mentioned, the more folks that can test these new bits out, the better. Grab the Firefox Portable 1.5.0.7 Pre-Release 5 and try it out.

UPDATE: Made Pre-Release 2 with better (and faster) handling of launching a second instance.

UPDATE Sept 21: Updated to Pre-Release 3. Fixes an issue with being unable to specify the EXE name. Updated the readme to properly indicate allowed INI location. Added WaitForFirefox back in... will only wait automatically when it need to clean up after Firefox (APPDATA directories when FF not installed locally). Added ability for the launcher to setup the default profile and settings when used with an INI provided that the default directories are maintained.

UPDATE (PR 4): Removed the extra debug message boxes and packaged as Pre-Release 4.

UPDATE Sept 22 (PR 5): Added the ability to disable the intelligent start for folks that copy profiles in regularly.

Thanks,
John

September 15, 2006 - 9:10am

twnty3svn

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Worked like a charm

I installed the beta directly over version 1.5.0.6 Firefox version, and worked perfectly. I have over 30 extensions, and themes, plus every aspect of Firefox custom configured, and it started up seemlessly. Actually it does open up twice as fast as the previous launcher. I notice this espeically as i have TabMix Plus extension installed with session saver, and also Profile Password.

NOTE: i only just read about deleting the INI file. There is a speed increase in startup, but i didn't delete my old INI. Might just want to make this a bit more obvious, for thoes whom don't read the compete thread.

One niggle, which is really not a biggy, but is there a way for the Firefox's serach engine folder to be moved to the /Data/Profile folder? i ask as all my engines are custom, and when i run the beta over the existing, it adds the default engins to my current list.

I use Serach Engine Ordering, which stores them in the Profile folder, so all i have to do is delete the ones in the App folder, but just some feedback.

Other than that, perfect. Great work!

September 15, 2006 - 10:27am

(Reply to #2) #3

John T. Haller

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INI and searches

You only need to delete the INI if you copy a FF profile into FFP from somewhere else on something other than a first run. It doesn't apply to upgrades (you can just install it right over the old one and it'll Just Work).

Regarding search engines... nope... that's just the way FF deals with them. I can't remove them from the FF directory as that would mean altering the base install of FF within. And it would break the search setups for anyone copying in a local file.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

September 15, 2006 - 5:44pm

(Reply to #3) #4

Jonathan

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So I'm confused. If we run

So I'm confused. If we run FirefoxPortable.exe in the default location and then move it somewhere else (without the INI) and it'll still detect where everything is?

September 15, 2006 - 6:01pm

(Reply to #4) #5

John T. Haller

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Only ONE Change

There's only one change to the way it works. If you copy a Firefox profile from somewhere else (say a local instance of Firefox or another copy of Firefox Portable) into Firefox Portable, then you need to change the INI file so that the launcher will correctly alter it on launch. That's the one and ONLY change in operation. If you never manually copy profiles into Firefox Portable, it has no affect on you.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

September 15, 2006 - 2:15pm

John T. Haller

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Pre-Release 2

I just posted Pre-Release 2 which better handles launching a second instance.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

September 15, 2006 - 3:09pm

(Reply to #6) #7

Efudd

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Working great so far.

No problems with installing... Even though at one point I thought it crashed (hung on 46% for quite abit longer than I expected) but after a few minutes it all went though ok. I love the increased startup speed on a 2nd startup. And all the extensions I have installed work without a hitch so far.

September 15, 2006 - 3:18pm

(Reply to #7) #8

yehoni

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Bad timing on my part

You posted this about 3 seconds after I finished installing Pre-Release 1. Much frustration.

Loving the faster startup though. I use FFP as my default browser, and this is a *big* help. All my extensions are working, no complaints of any kind.

Just out of curiosity, is this the version of FFP that will be included in the new Suite?

September 15, 2006 - 3:24pm

(Reply to #8) #9

John T. Haller

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Yup

That's why I'm giving it some extra love before releasing.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

September 15, 2006 - 6:47pm

(Reply to #9) #10

jeb5000

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Fast Start

Worked with no problem on my local hard drive and USB drive. All extensions and settings came over with no problem.

Nice job.

jeb

September 16, 2006 - 3:52pm

(Reply to #10) #11

Jonathan

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I was wondering. If we end

I was wondering. If we end up going to another computer that gives us a different drive letter, will we have to delete the INI before we launch FirefoxPortable.exe?

Also from readme.txt:
It can be used in other directory configurations by including the FirefoxPortable.ini
file in the same directory as FirefoxPortable.exe and configuring it as detailed in
the INI file section below. The INI file may also be placed in a subdirectory of the
directory containing FirefoxPortable.exe called FirefoxPortable or 2 directories deep
in PortableApps\FirefoxPortable or Data\FirefoxPortable. All paths in the INI should
remain relative to the EXE and not the INI.

The 2 directories deep doesn't work.

September 16, 2006 - 5:41pm

(Reply to #11) #12

John T. Haller

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Oh come on...

Jonathan, I've answered this twice already. The ONLY ONLY ONLY time you need to delete it is when you manually put your own profile into Firefox Portable. NO OTHER TIME. I can't possibly be any more clear than that. I've said this... specifically... to YOU... when you asked it the last two times. How much more clear can I make it?

I still need to update the readme. You need to place it next to FirefoxPortable.exe. All other locations have been dropped.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

September 16, 2006 - 5:48pm

(Reply to #12) #13

Jonathan

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I'm sorry for not

I'm sorry for not understanding you and for wasting your time with the same question.

Thanks for answering both my questions (actually like the same one several times).

September 20, 2006 - 12:13am

#14

VinDSL

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Working Fine...

Just thought I would let you know Firefox Portable 1.5.0.7 is working fine for me too.

I run FFP with TrueCrypt encryption, so that might add a little twist to my comment[s].

Thought I would give it a couple days before reporting in.

Haven't had a single problem! Good job, as usual...

Visit VinDSL's Web Site | VinDSL Blog

September 20, 2006 - 9:06am

#15

Deuce

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FirefoxExecutable INI entry

Hey John,

Just trying out the Beta version and I found that you forgot to add in:

ReadINIStr $0 "$INIPATH\${NAME}.ini" "${NAME}" "${APP}Executable"
		StrCpy "$PROGRAMEXECUTABLE" $0

to allow the prog to check the firefoxexecutable in the INI. I use it because I rename the firefox exe, but upon checking the code, it is not read from the ini so firefox always tries to run the defaultexe.

Thought I'd let you know before you released it.

***********************************
Deuce {The Core}{Dev Blog}
Portable Software: Just the beginning.

Deuce
Portable Software: Just the beginning.

September 20, 2006 - 10:57am

(Reply to #15) #16

John T. Haller

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Woah

Thanks for catching that one, Deuce. I'd missed it. I'll be doing another RC of both today to ensure all bugs are worked out. It's a pretty big update and will be used with Firefox Portable 2.0 as well, which will be making a bigger splash.

Side Note - Did you get the email I sent you about the registry.dll issue?

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

September 20, 2006 - 11:34am

(Reply to #16) #17

Deuce

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Yeah I got it...

Just haven't had time to email back, The post was the squashing bugs one in General. I will look into it and see what ahppens with your suggestion. thanks.

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Deuce {The Core}{Dev Blog}
Portable Software: Just the beginning.

Deuce
Portable Software: Just the beginning.

September 20, 2006 - 11:53am

(Reply to #17) #18

John T. Haller

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Ah ok

I've posted the details there, too, so others can find it.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

September 21, 2006 - 3:04am

#19

John T. Haller

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1.5.0.7 Pre-Release 3 Posted

I just posted a 3rd pre-release. This release:

1. Adds back in the ability to specify the Firefox executable name (thanks Deuce)
2. Fixes the readme to properly indicate allowed INI locations (thanks Jonathan)
3. Adds WaitForFirefox back in and will only automatically wait if it needs to (example: if the PC has no local copy of Firefox and Firefox Portable should clean up the files Firefox leaves in APPDATA)
4. Adds the ability fot the launcher to setup the default profile and settings correctly when used with an INI on first launch provided the default directory structures are still used.

Please give it a try and post an feedback.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

September 21, 2006 - 12:36pm

(Reply to #19) #20

jugstah

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Pre-Release 3

I know this is not useful information, but wanted to say it definitely is loading much faster for me. Everything seems to be working fine, but I haven't exhaustively beaten upon it yet.

September 21, 2006 - 1:35pm

(Reply to #20) #21

Deuce

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Extra Code Messageboxes....

John,

in the "Check if default directories" section, you got a few of these left in the script:

MessageBox MB_OK|MB_ICONEXCLAMATION `4

You might want to delete them.

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Deuce {The Core}{Dev Blog}
Portable Software: Just the beginning.

Deuce
Portable Software: Just the beginning.

September 21, 2006 - 1:47pm

(Reply to #21) #22

John T. Haller

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Argh

Argh. I copied the wrong files in before packaging it up last night. This is what lack of sleep does to a person. I've fixed it and packaged as PR4. Thanks for the catch

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

September 21, 2006 - 2:16pm

(Reply to #22) #23

Deuce

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Its ok...

bud, it happens to all of us....

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Portable Software: Just the beginning.

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September 22, 2006 - 11:42am

#24

jugstah

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Just a thought, where in

Just a thought, where in Firefox Portable can an user like me find which release of Firefox Portable I'm using? I can't recall if I already reinstalled RC3 or RC4... sorry if its a redundant question but maybe a file somewhere to tell us...

September 22, 2006 - 11:48am

(Reply to #24) #25

John T. Haller

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Can't with PRs

You can't with PRs, since the goal is to have it be the actual final version. But normally, you can just pop open the help.html in the FirefoxPortable directory.

Actually, I just changed it so you can now. The PR5 is in the help file. I'll just update that one bit before release.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

September 22, 2006 - 12:01pm

#26

John T. Haller

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Pre-Release 5

I added in the ability to disable the intelligent start routine for folks that regularly copy a profile in from their local install.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

September 22, 2006 - 12:03pm

(Reply to #26) #27

Steve Lamerton

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John,

I haven't tried this but I just read your above post. If you need to disable the intelligent startup when you copy the profile over doesn't that screw up and profile copying software (i.e. mine).

Yours

Steve Lamerton

September 22, 2006 - 12:15pm

(Reply to #27) #28

John T. Haller

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Not Necessarily

If you update the profile already (delete compreg.dat, update chrome if it's FF 1.0, update calendar extension paths) when you copy from local to portable or vice versa, you're in the clear. You're probably already doing this when copying from portable to local (otherwise it'll break stuff). You just need to be sure to to this from local to portable as well, since you can't rely on the launcher.

Ideally, any sync utility will be updating the FirefoxPortableSettings.ini to use the correct paths as well (ie the path where it came from).

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

September 22, 2006 - 12:53pm

#29

Seal8

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Installed Firefox Portable 1.5.0.7 Pre-Release 5

Update went smooth with all bookmarks, profile and extensions working and listed correctly. Took what seemed like several minutes to install, just be patient.
Update notification came up and had to resubmit my home page.
Thx for all the work JH.
Will install Thunderbird Portable 1.5.0.7 RC3,also.

Jeff Balliett

September 25, 2006 - 3:45pm

(Reply to #29) #30

Simeon

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just one more

I know, Im about the 100000th person saying how GREAT Johns work is on these apps and that the new FF works like a charm but I do it anyway!!

THX

"What about Love?" - "Overrated. Biochemically no different than eating large quantities of chocolate." - Al Pacino in The Devils Advocate

September 25, 2006 - 3:48pm

(Reply to #30) #31

Nerd

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Ditto!

Ditto!
____________________
Luke: You killed my father!
Darth Vader:No Luke! I am your father! Join me Luke! Together we can rule the galexy as father and son!
Luke:NNNNNOO!!

September 25, 2006 - 9:01pm

(Reply to #31) #32

Ryan McCue

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Nerd,

Please remove the _________________ section from your signature. It widens the page too much.
----
R McCue
PortaBlog Home and My Website
And before anyone complains about the grammar, I'm so jetlagged that my
hands aren't even in the same time zone...

"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."

September 26, 2006 - 4:55pm

(Reply to #32) #33

Nerd

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Sry, im changing it

Sry, im changing it though.

Luke: You killed my father!
Darth Vader:No Luke! I am your father! Join me Luke! Together we can rule the galexy as father and son!
Luke:NNNNNOO!!

September 26, 2006 - 3:42am

#34

Baschti

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alternative folders

please let them in!

or at least the structure from your portableapp-suite, because i used this structure. i dont want to have too much stuff in my usb-stick-root, all i want to have is one folder (portable apps) and the *portable.exe. and not an ini for each programm and not a folder for each programm.

Apps on my Portable Device:
Miranda, Firefox, Sunbird, Thunderbird, 7-Zip, FileZilla, GIMP, OOo, Sodoku and VLC

German User, Sorry for my bad english, I do my really really best

September 27, 2006 - 4:35am

(Reply to #34) #35

Ryan McCue

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Nope

John's not going to let that happen.
Use FirefoxPortable.ini instead.
----
R McCue
PortaBlog Home and My Website
And before anyone complains about the grammar, I'm so jetlagged that my
hands aren't even in the same time zone...

"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."

September 27, 2006 - 10:42am

(Reply to #35) #36

John T. Haller

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Actually, I did

I added that single one back in. I added it in such a way that it won't slow down the default layout or use of an INI file. And it doesn't complicate things that much. I used to use this layout myself.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

September 27, 2006 - 12:36pm

(Reply to #36) #37

Baschti

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[quote=Baschti]and not an

[quote=Baschti]and not an ini for each programm[/quote]

[quote=rmccue]John's not going to let that happen.
Use FirefoxPortable.ini instead.[/quote]

where is the fault? on my side or on your?

@john, thanks, i cannot beleave, that 20 lines of code slow down the launcher soooo much

where can i find the new launcher? in the released package?

greetings

basti

Apps on my Portable Device:
Miranda, Firefox, Sunbird, Thunderbird, 7-Zip, FileZilla, GIMP, OOo, Sodoku and VLC

German User, Sorry for my bad english, I do my really really best

September 27, 2006 - 6:44pm

(Reply to #37) #38

Ryan McCue

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Actually

Oops. I did it again.
@john, thanks, i cannot beleave, that 20 lines of code slow down the launcher soooo much
It slows down the coding too much. (I think)
----
R McCue
PortaBlog Home and My Website
And before anyone complains about the grammar, I'm so jetlagged that my
hands aren't even in the same time zone...

"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."

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