I have moved the source code for my Firefox extension Formsaver over to github, so it’s now open for forking and/or downloading.

Inside is a file called xpi.sh which is a shell script that’s responsible for actually creating a build file that may be loaded into Firefox. It replaces the firefox.xpi file.

http://github.com/botskonet/formsaver/tree/master

It’s been some time since I’ve posted to the blog here – I’ve just been busy with a new daughter and a new Botsko.net project. I’ve got some very interesting projects coming up which I hope to be posting additional information on – from both the technical and managerial standpoints.

For those looking for Formsaver updates for the new beta versions of Firefox – I’m sorry that I have not released an update yet but I’m waiting for the first release candidate before releasing an officially supported version.

I recently started work on a firefox extension, but this time I’m working on a mac rather than a pc. Below is a sample shell script for automatically building the JAR and XPI files.:

#!/bin/bash
mkdir build
mkdir build/chrome
cd chrome
zip -r formsaver.jar .
cd ..
cp chrome/formsaver.jar build/chrome/formsaver.jar
rm chrome/formsaver.jar
cp -R defaults build/
cp install.rdf build/install.rdf
cd build
zip -r formsaver.xpi .
mv formsaver.xpi ../formsaver.xpi
cd ..
rm -rf build
echo -n extension build successful

Here is a sample file for automatically building on windows (batch script):

Note: This requires that you have 7zip installed.

set x=%cd%
md build\chrome
md build\defaults\preferences
cd chrome
"C:\Program Files\7-Zip\7z.exe" a -tzip "%x%.jar" * -r -mx=0
move "%x%.jar" ..\build\chrome
cd ..
copy defaults\preferences\formsaver.js build\defaults\preferences
copy install.* build
cd build
"C:\Program Files\7-Zip\7z.exe" a -tzip "%x%.xpi" * -r -mx=9
move "%x%.xpi" ..\
cd ..
rd build /s/q


I’ve been meaning to find some time to update this extension, but nothing has been done yet. However, it’s now available for download at two new locations.

@ Download.com
@ SoftPedia.com

FormSaver 0.6 was released in March, 2006 and I haven’t done a single update until now. 0.6 was an excellent and stable version that everyone could enjoy – I’ve been using it ever since without a single issue. I’ve had one or two problems reported that only exist in very obscure situations, I’ve had tons of feature requests, and I’ve gotten some great comments on it.

FormSaver 0.7 adds some excellent features that some of you have been asking for. Inside you’ll find:

• New option “Ignore Errors” which allows you to prevent the error window from appearing.
• New option “Ignore blank fields/textareas” will skip any text fields or textareas that are blank. When this option is unchecked it will save the field as blank.
• New option “Save hidden fields” will save the values of hidden form fields as well.
• New security warning if you’re selecting the “Save Password” box for the first time.
• FormSaver now checks the web address when you try to fill a form. If it doesn’t match the original web address if offers to redirect you.*
• A new toolbar icon. By going to View -> Toolbars -> Customize, you can drag the FormSaver icon to anywhere on your toolbar.
• For power users: you can enable/disable the url check by editing the about:config preferences.

*Many users requested that the bookmark take them to the URL and then fill the form. However, because the form fill script is in a bookmarklet it’s impossible to do this for two reasons. First, the javascript no longer runs after a new url has been loaded. Second, the script would run too quickly after the new URL is loaded and a bookmarklet cannot properly determine which page has been loaded. Sorry folks!

Head on over to the firefox page on Botsko.net to install 0.7. As always, I welcome any thoughts and suggestions (or bug reports).

Everyone who works online is typically aware of the famous “20% Rule” from Google. When I was working for TechTracker, Wells Fargo, etc, I was always jealous of the idea because I had so many ideas of my own yet no time to work on them. I still managed to throw together some of the ideas that would help me the most, and some have been fairly popular.

When I began running Botsko.net full-time I had to keep up some of those personal projects (Formsaver, Squibbles, etc). Now that I’m my own boss I figured it was time to work out a system similar to Google’s. Because these pet projects have the ability to either bring in revenue directly or by bringing my name to the attention of folks around the world, I figured it was important to give up some client-work time to ensure these projects continue.

While it’s taken a little while to get the corporate-trained instincts out of my system, I’ve really come to like the system. Google began using the system because they figured it would a) make employees happy by letting them work on their pet projects, b) stimulate employees to come up with their own ideas and solutions, and c) give folks a break from their actual work.

Working on Formsaver or Squibbles can be a nice break from client work and it gives me some time to focus on how I would solve a problem. I don’t need approval for it, I don’t need to worry about getting a lecture about using the company equipment for personal use.