SillyDog701

[James]

I'm the only user on this computer. No one else ever touches my computer. When I installed Firefox (and Mozilla) I never bothered creating a profile. Thus the only profile is the so-called Default. Is this fine or is it desirable to create a profile? If so, why? Please bear in mind that I don't want to use two profiles myself. I'm content with a single one.

Now... if I must create one, how do I go about keeping all the same bookmarks, address book and so forth?

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.7) Gecko/20040707 Firefox/0.9.2

[Andrew T.]

Hello James,

If you are the only user of your computer and need only one set of e-mail settings, bookmarks, and so forth, you will usually not need more than one profile. Mozilla and Firefox by default create a profile named "default;" you can name a profile whatever you want.

It is important to create multiple profiles even if you are the only user of your computer, however, if you use more than one version of Mozilla or Firefox (or use both Mozilla and Netscape, which share the same profile folder). In this situation, one creates a different profile to use with each different software version.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Win95; en-US; rv:1.7) Gecko/20040707 Firefox/0.9.2

[Fulvio]

Once upon a time... about five years ago when I was originally set up by my cable ISP with Netscape 4.51 (yes, they were doing that, back then), I lost all my data within one month. I never found out why, but I was told to create new profiles. In short order, I ended up with seven profiles, called default,default1,2,3, etc. Ridiculous, isn't it?
I have had several profiles ever since, copying the old bookmark.htm and mail files, until they became bookmarks.html from old, and paste into the new. I am actually using more than one profiles, because, over time my profiles have diverged, or to access the program with a different page or set of tabs. Do not remove the old profile
I still have some extra profiles, for spare parts, and keep them separate, so that I do not have the temptation to use to use a Mozilla profile for Netscape, etc.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.7.1) Gecko/20040707

[James]

It is important to create multiple profiles even if you are the only user of your computer, however, if you use more than one version of Mozilla or Firefox (or use both Mozilla and Netscape, which share the same profile folder). In this situation, one creates a different profile to use with each different software version.

Right now I have Mozilla 1.7.1, Firefox 0.9.2, Thunderbird 0.7.2, Opera 7.52 and IE 6 (which is "out of sight" so to speak). Each of these programs was created in its own folder but I allowed each to simply give me the Default profile. As far as I can tell, there has been no sharing of bookmarks... I had to create them in each and they're not exactly the same. And to date (knock on wood), I've not experienced a single problem with freeze-ups, loss of data or anything of that nature.

I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of Netscape 7.2 (like most of you) and wondering if I simply make a separate folder into which I will install it, if there is really any need to do anything other that to accept the "Default" profile it creates?

Thanks for your help, both of you.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.7) Gecko/20040707 Firefox/0.9.2

[Fulvio]

Each of the programs you have listed have profiles, or whatever you want to call them, of their own. Thunderbird is mail only, and I have never had to create a profile since I originally set it up. Firefox has changed the format two or three times, and if I am not mistaken, the latest version asked you if you wanted to pick up Mozilla or Netscape settings. Opera and IE have nothing to do with the Mozilla family, although Opera must be importing some Mozilla settings. So, we have to be concerned only of Mozilla and post-4.8 Netscape.
I will install 7.2 when it comes out in a folder of its own, but this will not take care of the profile. And, I already have NS7.2 profile waiting for mama. The files will come later.
but, there a third potential problem, the GRE folder. When NS7.1, based on Moz1.4 came out, it was not possible to have both, because they they not sharing the GRE folder. It was more of a first come and first served situation. This is what bothers me, and could be a cause of delay for NS7.2.

UserAgent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; AOL 9.0; Windows NT 5.1; BCD2000)

[James]

Hi Fulvio

I'm going to have to cut this discussion short since I've got to take off for work. I told Ramona that rather than create a new profile when Netscape 7.2 became available, I'd likely wipe out Mozilla 1.7.1 simply because I wouldn't need both suites. I would leave its profile files alone, however, so that Netscape could "find them" and I wouldn't have lost anything. Then there should be no corrupting of anything with only NS running the show (since FF/TB and Opera don't mix and conflict).

The truth of the matter is, I don't use Mozilla that often anyway. I use Firefox almost exclusively. But Netscape 7.2 would be a temptation because of the webmail access. So really, there would be no need for me to retain Mozilla.

What do ya think? Gotta run so I'll read your answer later tonight. Ciao.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.7) Gecko/20040707 Firefox/0.9.2