I have rather complex instructions for my customers [on my website] for installing Firefox and then adding a plug-in (I hope that's the right term; it's an Add-on that a programmer did for me). The end result is a custom Firefox installation that has special discount shopping functionality.
Wondering if I could use this Portable Firefox to create an install file that my customers could download that would have my plug-in already embedded so my customers could do a much simpler one-step installation.
I would not necessarily want to use the portable feature every time, because some users would not have the thumb drive, etc. So I'd like to create an install that would be done on their local hard drive. Then if they are savvy enough and would want to access the shopping features of our website from another computer, it would be great to give them extra instructions for moving it to a thumb drive. Sound doable?
What issues or hurdles would I face?
Thanks,
Tom
[URL removed by moderator JTH]
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You actually can't repackage Firefox Portable without permission from Mozilla. Same as with regular Firefox. You can contact them to seek permission at licensing (at) mozilla [dot] com.
By the way, I removed your URL from your post as promoting a website is against the forum rules. I'm sure you didn't mean to be advertising it, but it's to ensure all users are treated equally.
Oh and welcome to PortableApps.com.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
Thanks for your answer and your welcome.
So if I did get permission from Mozilla, your software package would do what I'm looking for? -- which is to give my customers a single download and installation that would give them Firefox with my plugin already installed.
The other thing I'd like would be a desktop icon or Start Programs entry that would launch this custom version of Firefox. Is that part of what your software would provide? Or is there someplace else where I should look for that?
Thanks again for your help. Trying to avoid going too far down the path if this isn't a way to reach the goal.
Tom
That would have to be coded into the installer.
Alas, i don't quite know how to code that function in properlly (my last attempt resulted in the need to run a system restore on my computer because the "a" key kept lanching the program i was trying to write an installer for). Perhaps the other wonderful people here can help you further, for i cannot.
OliverK> you don't live on a cow
IRC: It brings out the best in all of us...Especially when tired.
What you're looking for is essentially a custom local install of Firefox (Start Programs entry, etc). So you'd want to take regular Firefox and create a custom install package of it with your stuff in it. That isn't something we do (we make a portable, standard version of Firefox). For what you want, you'd need Mozilla's permission and someone to custom write an installer package for you.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
Now, I am no lawyer (thank God) but it seems that
what you can not do is use the FireFox name and logo without permission .
You can however modify the code, compile it and distribute it ??
I want to distribute a modified version of Firefox (or other MPL-covered code). What do I have to do?
You must
* add a conspicuous notice stating where to find the Modifications used to make the binary you are distributing. [3.6] If you wish, you may point at mozilla.org for the base code and then ship diffs between our version and yours.
* if your documentation has a section dealing with licensing or the recipient's rights to the code, put a copy of the MPL in it. [3.5]
In addition, there are several obligations relating to your Modifications. You must
* have the right to distribute your Modifications [3.4 (c)]
* add a correctly-completed MPL header to any new files which are Modifications [3.5]
* make your Modifications available in source code form, under the MPL [3.1]
* make your Modifications available on the same media as the executable version, or on the Net as long as they are available for 12 months [3.2].
* document what your Modifications are [3.3] (one way to meet this requirement is to ship them as diffs)
* include a statement that your code is derived from the particular piece of MPLed code you started with (e.g. Firefox), and a list of the names of the Initial Developers of that code [3.3].
You may require a Mozilla Foundation trademark license if you wish to use Mozilla Foundation trademarks (e.g. the Firefox name or logo).
http://www.mozilla.org/MPL/mpl-faq.html