Any way to make r3dfox compatible with or able to run legacy DownThemAll! v3.0.8 extension/add-on?

[Dibrom2]

Just a random n00bie question. I currently have Firefox v52 ESR installed for the one and only purpose of being able to run the best download manager there has ever been for Firefox, being dTa! v3.0.8. I don't know the full backstory, only enough to know that FF v52 ESR was the last conventional version that allowed dTa! to run in its old version that worked the best.

Having only recently discovered r3dfox, I was wondering if it were possible to customise it to be able to install the dTa! 3.0.8 xpi and therefore allow me to finally retire FF v52 and reduce the number of browsers my computer has installed? I suspect the dTa! v3 standalone installer xpi file is not easy to find anymore since it's now something like 7 years old (last updated 3 June 2018). I can provide the xpi file if need be.

For reference, dTa v3 was able to integrate itself into the browser/windows download dialog box such that clicking a link would directly connect you to a dialog that would call dTa to take over the download. After v3 this functionality was gone and it became much more cumbersome to use.

[marty60]

You can run the original DTA, I've been doing it right along on the newer versions.

It's possible based on this project:

https://github.com/xiaoxiaoflood/firefox-scripts

Unfortunately it broke around FF version 137.0 and hasn't been fixed yet but it runs perfect in r3dfox 28esr as does keyconfig.

I've uploaded the files you'll need, just follow the instructions from the link above:

legacy addons.zip

[the-r3dacted]

I'm curious what does DTA do that something like HTTP Downloader or JDownloader 2 can't do?

Unfortunately it broke around FF version 137.0 and hasn't been fixed yet but it runs perfect in r3dfox 28esr as does keyconfig.

I was going to suggest this, but I never knew it stopped getting updated.

Another potential solution is using something like Lun3r with DTA or my old fork of a fork of it. https://github.com/K4sum1/DownItAll

[marty60]

I'm curious what does DTA do that something like HTTP Downloader or JDownloader 2 can't do?

Since DTA broke in the newer FF versions for those I simply use the built-in downloader, I find it to be just as fast. What I do like about DTA is the download window automatically opens but other than that can't tell much of a difference in speed.

[Dibrom2]

You can run the original DTA, I've been doing it right along on the newer versions.

Wow! This is amazing, you're a legend! Honestly I just posted this request as a pure shot in the dark giving myself less than a 0.1% chance of getting any reply. I seriously thought I was the last person on Earth still using dTa v3. Obviously I was seriously wrong. I'm gonna give this a crack and see if I can finally uninstall FF v52 for good (even though it still works for some things)

Quick question: When I install r3dfox 128ESR as a portable version (everything in the program folder), can I just copy my FF 115ESR profile folder across lock/stock into the new r3dfox folder and it'll work? Is it that simple?

I'm curious what does DTA do that something like HTTP Downloader or JDownloader 2 can't do?

To be perfectly honest, I can't actually say why dTa v3 is better than the other download managers. I've never tried alternatives like JDownloader or HTTP Downloader for the simple reason that dTa3 was such a perfect implementation of what I need a download manager for without the extra bloat that I don't, that I never considered trying to move to something else that would inevitably be a compromise solution.

I have heard from other users of JDownloader that using it requires constant updates of plug-in modules, it constantly 'breaks' whenever an oft-used file host changes their anti-flood/DDOS protection method. That it works well with some file hosts and not others etc. By contrast, dTa3 just works like you expect it to, doesn't break, doesn't require constant updating (I haven't updated it in 7 years) and doesn't come with nag screens or advertising or licencing codes or any of the other crap bloat that just adds annoyance.

[marty60]

Quick question: When I install r3dfox 128ESR as a portable version (everything in the program folder), can I just copy my FF 115ESR profile folder across lock/stock into the new r3dfox folder and it'll work? Is it that simple?

Sure you can do that but there might be some config and theme changes you want to make. Otherwise I think the two profiles are compatible. Depending on your addons there may be some that need updating as well.

[Dibrom2]

I've uploaded the files you'll need, just follow the instructions from the link above:

legacy addons.zip

Amazing Marty, this is serious genius. It works first time of trying. Now with dTa installed, I need to turn my attention to cleaning up all my extraneous profiles and getting them where they're supposed to be in file system and transferring my old FF 115 ESR one across to use instead. Then I can start getting rid of old browsers that are just taking up space.

It works! I've got nothing customised or configured beyond just dTa extension for now to see if it works, AND IT DOES!
This could seriously be the greatest browsing improvement in Windows 7 since… well for at least 7 years since mid-2018 when the last of dTa was broken seemingly never to be resurrected. This is pure genius. 11 stars out of 10.

[Dibrom2]

I'm curious what does DTA do that something like HTTP Downloader or JDownloader 2 can't do?

It's probably less about actual raw features and maybe more to do with familiarity, seemlessness of integration to OS/browser and just overall ease of use and lack of painful annoyances. It's not something you can measure with raw speed numbers or the such. For anyone familiar with JDownloader or Internet Downloader or HTTP Downloader or any other, if you're happy with it and it works for you, then I'd definitely say, stick with what you know and don't try DownThemAll. But for those like me who is rusted on to dTa, there really is no alternative worth looking at.

[Dibrom2]

You can run the original DTA, I've been doing it right along on the newer versions.

Do you know if its possible to get back the progress horizontal bar graph in the manager display like v3.0.8 used to display?

vs

[Vangelis66]

@Dibrom2

Some things to consider, though...

1. Mozilla will still support FxESR-115 on Win7 SP1 probably until the end of September, with v115.28.0esr being the last scheduled release as things stand now...
2. Mozilla will support the FxESR-128 branch on Win10+ for a few more months (currently at version 128.13.0esr), with v128.14.0esr planned to be its EoL.
3. redfox-128esr is already behind by a version compared to the official Mozilla version (128.12.0 vs 128.13.0) and the author has not indicated whether an updated redfox-128esr version is in the works 😉 ...
4. The most current Firefox ESR version is 140-based (now at v140.1.0esr), but, as noted already, the dTa! enabling scripts DON'T work past Firefox v136...

So, if you now migrate to redfox-128.12.0esr for the sake of having dTa! installed and working there, in some weeks you'll be running an outdated and insecure browser version; if you're not that concerned about the security aspect, do note that once FxESR-128 runs out of official support, many "popular" sites (e,g. the social media ones) will also drop support for it and hence, in perhaps 6 months' time, you'll find sites don't properly render/work in your redfox-128esr copy; a newer browser (e.g. redfox) version/engine might be necessary then...

Just my 2c 😄 ...

[Dibrom2]

if you're not that concerned about the security aspect, do note that once FxESR-128 runs out of official support, many "popular" sites (e,g. the social media ones) will also drop support for it

Thanks, yep I totally understand all that and you're 100% right, I do not care one little bit about the so-called 'security' aspects of staying right on the bleeding edge of software releases. Security is just theatre and IMHO has no real world worth at all. Functionality is far more important to me and that includes the ability to use dTa!

I have been using FF v52.8 and FF v110 for the last 3 years without a single problem. I delayed upgrading FF 110 right until I was forced to upgrade to 115 when video support for it ended entirely due to artifically voiding some sort of nebulous 'certificate' which was just an administrative thing, not anything to do with any actual technical reason why it wouldn't work. Having been using a W7 computer (which in of itself is woefully out of date) and browsers that are even more out of date, you'd think my computer is completely pwnd to the moon and back wouldn't you?

I'll add some more info into the mix as well if you like. For the last 3 years I have not had any aftermarket AV software installed at all and I have Microsoft Defender completely disabled too. The only defence I do have is router NAT and a firewall active.

3 days ago I decided that I better do a full system wide scan of everything to clean out any nefarious malware/spyware/worms/virus etc. I installed Malwarebytes Premium because it seemed to have the most recommendations and performed a full system scan of everything. Guess what it found after 3 years of 24/7 constant use to do everything with using grossly outdated browsers?

The only thing Malwarebytes found were HOST system entries and registry entries the program itself had inserted as part of its installation! Malwarebytes only detected itself as PUP entries that should be quarantined for deletion. No joke. I'm not kidding. If I had not installed Malwarebytes at all, then my computer would be cleaner now of malicious software than doing what I did trying to find malware.

As everyone who still uses W7 knows, W7 was peak Microsoft OS. Everything after W7 is all about the telemetry and nothing about 'security'. Post-W7 OS being about security is exactly the same as Internet Censorship being about saving the children. It's pure propaganda.

[the-r3dacted]

Do you know if its possible to get back the progress horizontal bar graph in the manager display like v3.0.8 used to display?

I think the reason was that Mozilla removed the method DTA used to draw the progress bar. Maybe I could add it back.

[Dibrom2]

Do you know if its possible to get back the progress horizontal bar graph in the manager display like v3.0.8 used to display?

I think the reason was that Mozilla removed the method DTA used to draw the progress bar. Maybe I could add it back.

That would be epic if you could do that. Another thing that would be great is if the column title bars could be edited in so much as their position/size etc. They just need drag/drop enabling so the mouse can be used to enlarge those that are too small and close up the ones that are unnecessarily too big. Currently the mouse changes to the double ended arrow when moved to the border between columns, but they are locked in position and cannot be resized at all.

Ultimately of course it would be great if full customisation of the title bars could be brought back, as in switching off/on the columns the user wants and even possibly re-ordering them as well, but that might be more complicated. I'd settle for just the ability to resize them and get the progress bar graph display back.