OS and Software > Mozilla Software > [Extension] Beware Spellbound update

[Extension] Beware Spellbound update

reply to FF Buff
From the authors page at »addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/9207

reply to FF Buff
WOW!

I don't use spellbound, but, if I did it would be instantly removed.
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Chris
Living in Paradise!!

reply to chrisretusn
Spellbound was fine for a number of years.
This may be an oversight on the developers part
and if he changes the install to ask a user first to
accept the search engine change so they can accept or decline
then it will not be an issue.
--
Humor. It is a difficult concept.

I doubt this is an oversight, that "Note:" on the Spellbound Add-ons page is pretty clear. I do agree that it is better if it is changed to optional, however there are other ways to raise money. I used Spellbound for many years but decided the Fx's built-in spell checker w/dictionary suites me just fine so I removed it. For me it is an issue, changing my home page is a no, no.
--
Chris
Living in Paradise!!

reply to Grimm43

said by Grimm43:

Actually if you read dp post above it sounds pretty benign.

reply to chrisretusn
I do not like to assume things so I give the dev the benefit of the doubt until I hear from him it was done to put one over on users.

He has a chance to fix things and explain himself not unlike the Noscript developer did not that long ago when he screwed around with adblock plus.

I have not used Spellbound in some time as Fx's spell checker is fine.
--
Humor. It is a difficult concept.

reply to chrisretusn
chrisretusn

I'm not crazy about any program changing my Homepage either but like Grail Knight I'm going to give the developer a chance to fix things and explain him/herself before passing judgment.

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We the few, following the unknowing to do the seemingly impossible...Have done this so long we can now do anything with nothing!... Quote By Anonymous U.S. Marine

I thought he explained him self very well, emphasis mine

quote:

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Note: In an effort to support the significant time the Spellbound team spends on maintaining this add-on, the add-on will change your default homepage to a Google search page that provides our team with some incremental revenue. If you prefer to use a different home page you may easily change it by going into your Preferences (Preferences -> Main). Thank you for your support and stay tuned for many enhancements to the add-on!

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When extensions are updated you are not presented with that information. In my case there was an update to 3 extensions.

While looking for the problem I went to the website and perhaps I missed that little part about changing things so he could make money, but I sure didn't see it. It may have been added after many complaints to update 3.0.8 but that's neither here nor there when you update an installed extension. It simply sucks... I see we are now back to an earlier version now (3.0.6) at AMO... Good.

Just like I wasn't crazy about Microsoft pushing their extensions on me silently, I'm not nuts about this falderall but it looks like the developer has heard the complaints and rolled back to an earlier version.

I realize developers have to find paths to revenue if they intend to keep offering their products for free and that mistakes can be made in the process.

I would have been a tad borked if it had happened to me too.

reply to chrisretusn
You see that only if you fresh install the new version. If you upgrade, when you restart Firefox, you'll discover that your homepage and search settings have been altered, without explanation.

The community and AMO must make cases like this and the recent NoScript debacle few and far between or people will begin dropping this browser like a hot potato. If an extension is willfully messing around behind my back it could be doing a lot more which I might find objectionable. I shouldn't have to personally examine each line of extension code.

I could not believe that having just witnessed the NoScript sacrifice it's long standing rating for a few dollars. Now this... I have uninstalled Spellbound & written their "team" a nicely worded message.

It seems to me successful extension authors are sacrificing their long term standing with the community for a few bucks. Who ever said writing extensions should be one's full-time job? It's a hobby. Can't do it without resorting to changing my settings behind my back for a buck? Please stay away from writing extensions...

Jeesh.. What is it with these guys lately.
Dave
P.S. As with some others, I upgraded and was never asked or told that my home and search settings would be changed to "jindle" or what not. Thanks, but no thanks.