New Firefox Add-on

[ghindo]

I can't find the changelog, but it looks like the latest round of updates installs a new Firefox add-on ("Multisearch") which causes every new tab to display the "Ubuntu Start Page" (see attached).

Thoughts?

EDIT: Additionally, it looks like it's altered the way Google searches are conducted. See for yourself.

[mattduckman]

here's the changelog, it's not very informative though

firefox-3.0 (3.0.11+build2+nobinonly-0ubuntu2.me001) karmic; urgency=low

  * add me001 multisearch feature for karmic alpha3
    - add debian/extensions/*

I'm not sure about Ubuntu's goal for the custom search is though. Branding maybe?

[ghindo]

Originally Posted by mattduckman I'm not sure about Ubuntu's goal for the custom search is though. Branding maybe?

Not sure. It looks like when you do a Google search through the toolbar in Firefox, there are some differences than if you were to do a normal Google search.

As we can see from the below images, the Google services (Gmail, Google Docs, etc.) at the top have been removed, along with "advanced search" options. Not only that, but it looks like ads have a bit more space at the top of the page. You also can't switch between Web Search, Image Search, Video Search, etc..

[ronacc]

you can disable multisearch and ubuntu firefox modifications .

[wipeout140]

Originally Posted by ghindo Not sure. It looks like when you do a Google search through the toolbar in Firefox, there are some differences than if you were to do a normal Google search. As we can see from the below images, the Google services (Gmail, Google Docs, etc.) at the top have been removed, along with "advanced search" options. Not only that, but it looks like ads have a bit more space at the top of the page. You also can't switch between Web Search, Image Search, Video Search, etc..

Reason is:

One is a default Google search page
Second one is a Google Custom Search Page

[Wise Ferret]

Anybody knows how to disable this unaesthetic multisearch thing?
Disabling Ubuntu Firefox Extentions doesn't help, and there is nothing about "multisrarch" in about:config.

[ronacc]

it showed in tools>add-ons for me I just selected "disable"

[ghindo]

Well, we've made /.

http://yro.slashdot.org/story/09/08/...s-Watching-You

As usual, the Slashdot story is a bit alarmist and doesn't mention all the facts in the summary. Oh well.

[mrsurb]

Until it showed up on /. I hadn't even noticed... for some reason I had done an "apt-get purge ubufox" (maybe as part of apt-get purge firefox-3.0?) and so I don't think that this multi-search is installed in my firefox-3.5. Certainly it does not appear in my add-ons.

[doas777]

I don't know... the slashdot take on it is basically the same as the one I developed after 1/2 hour reading the information provided.

this is disrespectful, and unacceptable. I will leave ubuntu if this kind of behavior becomes common place. I left MS because they insisted on controling my PC and limiting my privacy. I won't hesitate to leave again.