Ray.MY: Tech, Web, Blogging Tips and PC Freewares stuffs » Plugins

How To Backup IE8, Firefox, Flock, Chrome and Opera Browsers

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:45:45 +0000

If you have used any of the web browsers available today, you will find that a good browser backup tool is necessary to backup all the bookmarks, settings, plugins, and the various personalization done to the browser.

Backups are necessary to ensure that you won’t have to go through the lengthy process of reinstating the browsers settings and customizations in case of any system error that requires OS reinstallation. These backups also enables you to re-use the same browser settings and configurations on other computers system with a few clicks.

Personally I use Firefox and Chrome browsers the most, and I found the following free tools the best there is in performing the backup tasks:-

For Firefox/Flock

1. Mozbackup

MozBackup provides backup and restoration of your Firefox/Flock profiles (yes, even multiple profiles) which includes bookmarks, contacts, history, extensions, saved passwords, certificates, add-ons and etc. The main features are:

Supports other Mozilla-based application such as Thunderbird, Songbird, Netscape and even portable applications, such as a portable Firefox (which I use for testing purposes). You can find the list of supported platforms and applications on the software main page.
Password protect feature for your profile backup file (single .pcv file)
Comes in installable program or portable version which can be used in USB drive.
Ability to schedule automatic profile backup using Task Scheduler, see instruction here.

Download Install version | Portable version

2. FEBE Firefox plugin

Another great tool which I must mention is the FEBE (Firefox Environment Backup Extension) which is an add-on plugin for Firefox browser. Once installed, the plugin can be used to backup extensions, themes, bookmarks, preferences, passwords, cookies and profiles.

Main features includes:

Once click easy backup from the toolbar
Backup scheduling on daily, weekly, or monthly basis with reminder
Ability to backup other folders apart form Firefox folder
Backup your favorite plug-ins into a single .xpi file which can be used for installation
Time-stamped backup folders which can be easily managed
Ability to upload to Box.net account if you have one

Download the Firefox add-on.

For Chrome

The aptly named Google Chrome Backup tool is a single .exe file (<1MB) and features the ability to backup and restore the entire user data profile in Chrome/Chromium browser.

Some notable features:

Quick wizard backup features in less than 4 clicks.
Multiple profile backup and management
Password protect backup file
Backup compression rate selection
Tray icon for fast access

There is an unlock feature (costs USD4.60) which adds some additional bonus features, but in my opinion the current version is really good enough.

Download Google Chrome Backup

For Internet Explorer 8

Backrex Internet Explorer Backup is a backup and restore tool which backup favorites, history, proxy settings, fonts, dialup accounts, autocomplete passwords and cookies. It requires installation and supports IE6, IE7 and IE8 versions. The main features include simple to use wizard backup interface, scheduling capability and even saves auto complete passwords.

Download the Backrex Internet Explorer Backup setup program.

For Opera

The free tool, OperaFly, for backing up Opera browsers profile is very customizable with plenty of features which includes:

Supports the new Opera 10
Highly customizable with item selection to be backup
Extensive backup scheduling options
Ability to restore profiles from Gmail, FTP or HTTP

I found that the program does have plenty features but it would help a lot if there was some wizard to simplify the backup and restore process. There are still some known issues which you can read in the author’s website.

Download installer version | portable version.

For All Browsers – FavBackup

If you prefer a single program to backup all your browsers (IE, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, then FavBackup tool will be suitable as no-fuss browser backup program. FavBackup is a straightforward program with the common options to backup and restore, backup folder path selection (remember to create a separate folder for your different browsers) and the option to select what to backup.

The program is a standalone program and is easy to use.

Download the FavBackup program.

There you have it, the browser backup tools which I found to be extremely useful. What do you use?

WordPress Plugin: WPTouch optimizes your website for iPhone

Raymond — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 07:20:05 +0000

(Click to view bigger picture)

Ray.My blog is now optimized for iPhone view, thanks to a WordPress plugin by the folks at BraveNewCode Inc. This plugin helps to ‘translate’ websites to load faster on iPhone/iPod Touch devices with a clean and easy to read view. The plugin also enables iPhone users to switch between the WPTouch view and the regular site view easily and true to the author’s claim, the plugin did not seems to slow down the blog at all.

The plugin options allows you to configure settings such as:

Ajax effects, Gravatars and Comments
Styling options
Post Listing Options
Logos/Icons for your pages (plus a PSD emplate for your customization)
Disable/Enable MEnu Items
Plugin Compatibility Check and Report Status

Full features available at the BraveNewCode website.

The WPTouch plugin requires WordPress version 2.1 and above and the only known compatibility issue is with the WordPress plugins such as the WP-Cache and WP Super Cache. Fix the compatibility issue with simple tweaking instruction here.

[Picture Credit: Francis]

WordPress Plugins: Alternative Administration Menu

Raymond — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 08:01:32 +0000

If you are using WordPress 2.5+ for your blog/website, you may have noticed that the administration menu is not quite exactly ‘navigational friendly’ as the menu options takes up lots of space and is scattered around the screen.

Also, going from one menu option to the other takes up too many ‘clicks’ and that wastes a bit of time.

I have found two (2) WordPress plugins that are able to fix this problem, courtesy from the folks at Planetozh and Dean J Robinson.

WordPress Admin Drop Down Menu

The first plugin is the WordPress Admin Drop Down Menu by Planetozh which puts all the menu options in the grey bar area with neat, pull-down type navigation as seen below.

The plugin (now in version 2.1) supports only WordPress 2.5+ and should works fine for Firefox 2.x/3.x, Safari, Opera 9.x and Internet Explorer 6+ browsers.

Just install the plugin, activate it and voila, you will find the additional Drop Down menu visible on your WP admin screen. Click here for the demo page.

Download Admin Drop Down Menu plugin here.

WordPress FluencyAdmin Menu

The FluencyAdmin Menu v1.2 is basically a revamped admin menu theme where the main menus are down left, while the sub menus are across the top. This is a very functional theme where the layouts are neat and organized. This theme s compatible with the Admin Drop Down Menu plugin above should you feel the need to have both.

Screenshot below. Click to see bigger view.

The current release only supports WordPress 2.5+ and only works on CSS2 compliant browsers (Firefox, Safari and IE8).

Download FluencyAdmin Menu plugin here.