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lovinglinux
September 28th, 2010, 05:34 PM
http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/09/bookmark-sync-add-on-xmarks-shutting-down-in-december/

I was certain that lots of users would stop using it, but I wasn't expecting a full shut down.

If you are using Firefox 4 beta, then you already have a built-in sync feature, that can sync bookmarks, passwords, tabs, settings and history. If you are using Firefox 3.5 or 3.6, then get Firefox Sync (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/10868/). Time to move on and start using Mozilla's service.

If you want to try Firefox 4, see http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1544124.

If you are concerned about your privacy, delete your Xmarks account at https://login.xmarks.com/account/delete_account

fatality_uk
September 28th, 2010, 06:17 PM
Sad. But one of the reasons I don't really like my data in the cloud! far too easy for it all to go with either a misplaced admins keystroke or not having a financial model that makes no money.

Joeb454
September 28th, 2010, 06:46 PM
One thing I'd like to see is them open-source it. I'm not sure it's possible, but it'd be nice.

Another option is to download Weave, and use Firefox sync with a custom server, which (naturally) gives you control over where your data is. I did look into this, but I haven't the time to set it up...not yet at least

sdowney717
September 28th, 2010, 07:28 PM
It says 3.6.10 firefox sync will not work!

wilee-nilee
September 28th, 2010, 07:43 PM
The only thing I notice about FF sync is no saving of bookmakrs upon closing the browser; am I missing something here.

Joeb454
September 28th, 2010, 07:47 PM
The only thing I notice about FF sync is no saving of bookmakrs upon closing the browser; am I missing something here.

Mine appears to have been updating at regular intervals throughout the session

wilee-nilee
September 28th, 2010, 07:57 PM
Mine appears to have been updating at regular intervals throughout the session

It makes sense it would have this function, but I purposely saved a new bookmark in another FF, on another OS, then shutdown, immediatly, the bookmark doesn't show in the sever data base. I think this is a good sync, but I want to understand any limitations. I don't leave browsers open when I don't need them as some do.

lovinglinux
September 28th, 2010, 08:29 PM
It says 3.6.10 firefox sync will not work!

Says where, when installing the extension?


The only thing I notice about FF sync is no saving of bookmakrs upon closing the browser; am I missing something here.


It makes sense it would have this function, but I purposely saved a new bookmark in another FF, on another OS, then shutdown, immediatly, the bookmark doesn't show in the sever data base. I think this is a good sync, but I want to understand any limitations. I don't leave browsers open when I don't need them as some do.

I don't think Firefox Sync has a feature to sync when closing the browser. Nevertheless, you can manually sync before closing. This can be achieved from the tools menu or through the extension icon that can be dragged to the toolbar when customizing it.


Mine appears to have been updating at regular intervals throughout the session

It does.

wilee-nilee
September 28th, 2010, 08:39 PM
I suspect that a sync on shutdown will be slipped in. Good add on like many are, thanks OP.;)

If anybody gets a time on the auto-sync while FF is open time, post it.

sdowney717
September 28th, 2010, 09:03 PM
I misread it sync <> synchronizer

lovinglinux
September 28th, 2010, 09:12 PM
I misread it sync <> synchronizer

I see. That is an old extension, that is not even supported anymore. Last time it was updated was April 5, 2009. I never used the synchronizer feature of it, only the profile launcher. Anyway, the correct extension is Firefox Sync (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/10868/).

koleoptero
September 28th, 2010, 09:30 PM
So no more synchronization between firefox and chromium eh? Sad... :(

TiBaal89
September 28th, 2010, 09:36 PM
So no more synchronization between firefox and chromium eh? Sad... :(

Indeed... that xmarks had plugins for many browsers was a huge strength in my opinion.

Joeb454
September 28th, 2010, 11:31 PM
If anybody gets a time on the auto-sync while FF is open time, post it.

I have a feeling it's an hour. I'll be able to tell you in 20 minutes :)

nerdtron
September 29th, 2010, 01:05 AM
I started using Xmarks just a few months ago and now they're shutting it down completely?

Anyway for now I'm going to try Firefox Sync and see how it works.

Excedio
September 29th, 2010, 01:15 AM
*snip* I don't think Firefox Sync has a feature to sync when closing the browser. Nevertheless, you can manually sync before closing. This can be achieved from the tools menu or through the extension icon that can be dragged to the toolbar when customizing it.*snip*

Can also double click the Sync icon located at the bottom right corner of your browser.

kendoori
September 29th, 2010, 01:56 AM
So what's the solution for syncing across browsers? I use XMarks with Chrome and Firefox. What's a practical way to mimic that?

jrusso2
September 29th, 2010, 04:44 AM
Sad. But one of the reasons I don't really like my data in the cloud! far too easy for it all to go with either a misplaced admins keystroke or not having a financial model that makes no money.

Yes its very disappointing whats next LastPass?

Excedio
September 29th, 2010, 10:38 AM
http://www.xmarks.com/about/shutdown

This may help a few people. They seem to really be pushing:

Evernote (https://www.evernote.com/Registration.action?code=xmarks)
SugarSync (https://www.sugarsync.com/affiliate/xmarks?l1=xmarksid&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sugarsync.com%2Foffers%2Fxmar ks-free)

Personally, I'm now using Firefox Sync.

ktfanpub
September 30th, 2010, 05:00 AM
Really sad news.
Thanks Xmarks.
Alternately i choose http://www.xmarklet.com now.

tgalati4
September 30th, 2010, 05:58 AM
That is why it is called Cloud Computing.

The clouds go away.

lovinglinux
September 30th, 2010, 08:52 AM
That is why it is called Cloud Computing.

The clouds go away.

:lol:

aladinonl
September 30th, 2010, 12:57 PM
Makes me think what if Lastpass cloud goes away, that would be disastrous.

jdunn
September 30th, 2010, 06:54 PM
http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/09/bookmark-sync-add-on-xmarks-shutting-down-in-december/

I was certain that lots of users would stop using it, but I wasn't expecting a full shut down.

If you are using Firefox 4 beta, then you already have a built-in sync feature, that can sync bookmarks, passwords, tabs, settings and history. If you are using Firefox 3.5 or 3.6, then get Firefox Sync (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/10868/). Time to move on and start using Mozilla's service.

If you want to try Firefox 4, see http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1544124.

If you are concerned about your privacy, delete your Xmarks account at https://login.xmarks.com/account/delete_account

As I'm sure this has been brought up countless times in this thread, Firefox Sync does not synchronize bookmarks across different browsers. Also, I tried out Firefox Sync just recently and had a hard time just getting it to work partially (found out I needed to uncheck "Saved Passwords" in "clear history when Firefox closes"). I say "work partially" because FS can connect with the server but it doesn't actually sync bookmarks. I gave up and switched back to Xmarks. Hopefully, Xmarks will be acquired by a company that already has a successful business model.

KIAaze
September 30th, 2010, 07:17 PM
I still haven't found a perfect bookmark syncing service:
-xmarks was too slow and made my PC unusable (I tend to bookmark a lot)
-Firefox sync is not cross-browser, does not even support seamonkey (mozilla based) and does not seem to work correctly (missing bookmarks, bookmarks messed up)
-google's sync service uses google docs instead of google bookmarks, also not cross-browser. And I do not like giving even more info to google...
Currently using mostly Firefox sync and Google sync (*). Still have the xmarks add-on if I want to sync/backup.

Anyway, it's sad and surprising that xmarks is closing down.
But if they had to close down because they didn't have a business model, what will happen to firefox sync? :confused:
(Google probably won't have any problems monetizing their sync service with ads or whatever...)

(*)Google chrome/chromium is just really faster and lighter unfortunately. Noscript and not giving Google info is what keeps me partially on Firefox. Might switch to seamonkey or other lightweight browser if they get syncing support.

lovinglinux
September 30th, 2010, 07:33 PM
Anyway, it's sad and surprising that xmarks is closing down.
But if they had to close down because they didn't have a business model, what will happen to firefox sync? :confused:

Firefox Sync is developed and maintained by Mozilla. I don't think they need to make cash of it, although I have seen a new "see your quota" feature, which might suggest a plan to charge for some sort of premium service.


I say "work partially" because FS can connect with the server but it doesn't actually sync bookmarks. I gave up and switched back to Xmarks.

I have no problems syncing. It is a lot faster than Xmarks btw.

lovinglinux
September 30th, 2010, 10:31 PM
Xmarks fate is not sealed yet.


http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/09/2608/

Following the news that popular bookmark sync service Xmarks is to shut down in December many users declared that they would be willing to pay an annual premium to continue using the service.

Reacting to this XMarks founders have launched a Pledgebank drive where users willing to drop the $10 a year for the service can ‘pledge’ to do so. If 100,000 people pledge by October 15th the service may will live on another day – providing those users cough up.

http://www.pledgebank.com/XmarksPremium

100.000 subscribers? That's a million dollars! Any idea how much does it cost to keep such service alive?

fatality_uk
September 30th, 2010, 10:35 PM
Xmarks fate is not sealed yet.



http://www.pledgebank.com/XmarksPremium

100.000 subscribers? That's a million dollars! Any idea how much does it cost to keep such service alive?

I'll rent them one of my servers for half that :)

P4man
October 1st, 2010, 05:31 PM
100.000 subscribers? That's a million dollars! Any idea how much does it cost to keep such service alive?

Once developed, cant imagine it takes more than a half time developer/sysadmin and leave end user support up to the community. Dont know about servers/bandwidth but it cant cost anywhere near that much.

OTOH, they probably (and rightfully) assume a large percentage of pledgers wont actually pay, and it seems xmarks as organization has become a bit large.

Maybe they should talk to canonical. Could be integrated nicely into ubuntu one, and canonical surely already has the required servers and bandwidth. Seems like a good match. Ubuntu one also supports windows and mac, no?

lovinglinux
October 11th, 2010, 12:22 PM
Looks like it won't shut down anymore:

http://blog.xmarks.com/?p=1988