hello, can you try to replicate this behaviour when you launch firefox in safe mode once? if not, maybe an addon is interfering here...

Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems

philipp - you were right, an add-on called URL Suffix is causing the issue when it is enabled.

Thanks for your help.

Annoying that Mozilla introduce compatibility issues from time to time; really prevents me from recommending it to non-computer people. As I say, this exact thing has happened on a previous update and I don't think it's the fault of the add-on developer.

There may be alternative extensions that do something similar. There are reports on the download page of the addon saying it has issues

• https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/url-suffix/reviews/

Also if you allow Firefox to save your browsing History it may well do a good job of autocompleting or auto suggesting links even without any addons.

steve519 said

Annoying that Mozilla introduce compatibility issues from time to time; really prevents me from recommending it to non-computer people. As I say, this exact thing has happened on a previous update and I don't think it's the fault of the add-on developer.

That's not a Firefox compatibilty issue, but rather one caused by a 3rd party add-on.

@the-edmeister The add-on worked fine until the update, therefore it is a Firefox issue.

steve519 said

@the-edmeister The add-on worked fine until the update, therefore it is a Firefox issue.

That's silly! Like putting the cart in front of the donkey.

the-edmeister said

That's silly! Like putting the cart in front of the donkey.

The donkey thing is exactly what you are doing. Let me explain it again:

• Firefox prior to version 50 with URL Suffix works perfectly.
• Firefox becomes version 50 and no longer works with URL Suffix.
• Therefore, a change in Firefox makes it incompatible with URL Suffix.
• Nothing has changed in URL Suffix.

Just because Firefox is the host application does not give it a free pass make other long-standing extensions inoperable. Twice.

I'm not going to comment again on your logic. Probably.

Sorry Steve, I know it is annoying when this happens.

Firefox does try to be customisable and compatible with a wide range of extensions, but its development does not stand still. The extensions extend Firefox's capabilities, features and customisations, but those extensions are dependent on Firefox.

Firefox has recently made a few radical overhauls of how extensions work. There are swings and roundabouts issues and possibly some controversial changes but this is not the best place to discuss such issues. Part of those changes result in modern addons being able to be developed which work not only on Firefox but also on Google Chrome.

There is also a big revamp underway as to how Firefox works. It is becoming multi process, allowing it to take full advantage of modern devices increased computing power. However that is something some devices may struggle with, and something not all addons will be compatible with.

You may submit feedback directly to the Advocacy team through the following page:

• Submit your Feedback
  That data is reviewed - partly by automated systems.
• And has an interactive viewer for comments made.

If you want a discussion you may find one of the mailing list or groups here of use

• listing: Mozilla Forums
• For help with extensions add-on Forum

steve519 said

Just because Firefox is the host application does not give it a free pass make other long-standing extensions inoperable. Twice.

That's not done on purpose, but Mozilla does have the right to make any changes it wants. But unlike almost every other web browser out there, anyone can revert those changes without repercussion - it's Open Source code. Just change the name and change the "branding" logos - [the copyright images in Firefox] and build "Firefox" the way you want.

And I wish it was just twice that this has happened to extensions that I have been using for years. By my count it's up to 5 or 6 since Firefox 0.8 back in 2004. The biggest changes are currently going on. Mozilla is in the process of deprecating all extensions made prior to this year - WebExtensions started with Firefox 48 Release. So fasten your seat belt, 2017 is going to be a bumpy ride.

the-edmeister said

So fasten your seat belt, 2017 is going to be a bumpy ride.

Thanks for the warning. I'll switch to Chrome if that's all Firefox has to offer its supporters.