When a new version of Firefox appears, there are times when your extensions don't upgrade gracefully to the new version. So you need to backup your extensions for future use.

This week: FEBE.

Overview

FEBE (Firefox Environment Backup Extension) allows you to backup your existing Firefox extensions AND package them up into an installable .xpi format. So you can take them back and forth between work, travel, or home.

Installation

At 771k, FEBE is beefy. After a Firefox restart, FEBE is installed and ready to go. This extension is a menu add-on. It appears under your pulldown menu at the top.

However, there is one note that needs mentioned here. The extension requires you to select a destination folder before you perform a backup. Select the FEBE options (under Tools -> FEBE) and change the destination directory where you want your Firefox profile saved.

Features

FEBE's features are simple and they perform a fantastic service: Backup and Restore of Firefox settings.

FEBE is the ultimate way to backup your profiles, bookmarks, extensions, cookies, usernames, passwords, browser history, form fill data...<huff> <huff>...permissions, phishing data, search plugins, and user-defined backups. THAT is a lot to backup.

To backup your Firefox settings, click the FEBE item under the Tools menu and select Backup. At first, FEBE only backs up the extensions and themes because of the default settings on installation. If you look below at the configuration, you'll see all of the settings FEBE saves.

To restore, select FEBE under the Tools menu again and select Restore. Pick the file to restore and voila...restored extensions.

Another nice feature is receiving an HTML report after each backup. I received an HTML report about all of the various extensions that were saved. The report is informative, too. Each extension contains a link to their own homepage, just in case you forgot where the extension came from.

Configuration

FEBE's configuration screen is sectioned in a similar way to Firefox's options: Logos at the top and content underneath.

Under the Options category, you see what I'm talking about when I said FEBE backs everything up. Anything related to Firefox as a user setting, it backs it up. The various options on the right are the proverbial "bells and whistles" which is a nice touch.

When you first install FEBE, it asks you to change the Backup destination Directory. This is located on the Directory tab. It also lets you format your backup filenames with timestamped directories and the option to clear the destination directory before a backup.

This is one of my favorite features of FEBE. She even keeps track of the time...well, sort of. FEBE has a scheduler included on the Schedule tab which lets her know when a backup should occur. Back it up every day, week, or month? Your choice. Definitely a nice feature to have.

The last category in the configuration screen is the Debug tab. The Debug tab is strictly meant for tracking why a backup or restore failed. It's a simple checkbox toggle to turn it on and off.

Conclusion

It's been two years since I've formally looked at FEBE, but FEBE has come a long way since then.

When I first looked at FEBE, I mentioned three cons to this extension: this extension only works in Firefox 1.5 or higher; when the backup starts, a DOS window displays; and you must have the archive utility "7-zip" installed for this extension to work.

After working with FEBE for the past week, I've noticed that FEBE has grown up. Look at the author's web page and you'll notice a large revision history dating all the way back to when the extension was first announced.

Like I said, FEBE has come a long way. Exceptional Work, Mr. Baker. Excellent Work!

FEBE receives a 5 out of 5.

See ya next week.

If you want your Firefox add-on reviewed, please contact me with the URL and we'll let you know when it's reviewed.