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Bookmarks are still synced in wrong sort order
Dear Supporters,
I tried to use FF-Sync for about 2 years. Today I tried it again and unfortunately the sort order of the bookmarks in the folder "Unsorted Bookmarks" is mixed up again after running sync. That means, the source-bookmarks (in the first profile) are still ok till I change bookmarks in the second profile. When I sync back then, I have also the wrong order in my source-bookmarks.-( This seems to happen, if I sync with more than a few hundreds bookmarks in one folder. Less than hundred folders or bookmarks always seem to work.-)
Though it is the "Unsorted"-folder, it is really fretfull, that I cant find my last added bookmarks.-/
I synced between: - 2 desktop-profiles (Linux Mint) - 3 desktop-profiles (Linux Mint & MAC & Windows) - android and desktop (Linux)
with the same result.
First, I thougt it was solved because of this thread: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1016555#question-reply
But after up to 15 Minutes syncing-process, I got not the correct sort-order as well.
Any answers appreciated and many thanks!!! Alex!
An gyara
All Replies (14)
In beta, if you right click on the folder you can "Sort by name"
Why so many bookmarks in the Unsorted folder?
It may just my impression / assumption of how that folder was intended to be used, but it seems to me that Unsorted was intended to be temporary storage until the user had time to move those bookmarks into other folders in the "Bookmarks Menu" folder. Rapid save of each new bookmark without spending time to decide how each new bookmark was to be categorized into the folder structure. I haven't read anything about a "maximum" number of bookmarks limit in the Unsorted bookmarks folder, but that folder doesn't seem to be the same as other folder that might be created in the Bookmarks Menu "folder". Mainly because Unsorted Bookmarks wasn't available from the Bookmarks Menu Bar drop-down listing prior to Firefox 29; only was only accessible via the Bookmarks Sidebar and the Library window in the older versions.
guigs2 said
In beta, if you right click on the folder you can "Sort by name"
Thanks a lot for your reply!!! But I need a chronical order, so that I can see my last added bookmarks at a glance.
the-edmeister said
Why so many bookmarks in the Unsorted folder? It may just my impression / assumption of how that folder was intended to be used, but it seems to me that Unsorted was intended to be temporary storage until the user had time to move those bookmarks into other folders in the "Bookmarks Menu" folder. Rapid save of each new bookmark without spending time to decide how each new bookmark was to be categorized into the folder structure. I haven't read anything about a "maximum" number of bookmarks limit in the Unsorted bookmarks folder, but that folder doesn't seem to be the same as other folder that might be created in the Bookmarks Menu "folder". Mainly because Unsorted Bookmarks wasn't available from the Bookmarks Menu Bar drop-down listing prior to Firefox 29; only was only accessible via the Bookmarks Sidebar and the Library window in the older versions.
Thank you too for your interesting answer!!!
But: 1. I cant understand, why a sort order should depend on a folders name. I often just set bookmarks und give them different tags. I like folders for lasting bookmarks but I cant move all my bookmarks into specific folders.
2. I identified one more problem: If I sync my bookmarks back to the source after changing something on the second computer, I have also different subfolders from my self-created folders in the "unsorted"-folder. Example: I have a folder "news" with a subfolder "digital". After second sync, my subfolder "digital" is a subfolder in "unsorted bookmarks".
So I guess, there is something different wrong with sorting.
And one more important information: I have absolutely no problems by sync with XMARKS!!!
"I have absolutely no problems by sync with XMARKS!"
Not a good idea to use Xmarks along with Sync. They aren't compatible with each other, and known to cause problems.
the-edmeister said
"I have absolutely no problems by sync with XMARKS!" Not a good idea to use Xmarks along with Sync. They aren't compatible with each other, and known to cause problems.
I am glad that I did not start with syncing in my real user profile!-) So I started these tests with new profiles without any addons. I did not use XMARKS in my FF-sync-profile while I got these bugs.
You can view the bookmarks by last modified date if you open the Firefox Bookmarks. Bookmarks > Show all Bookmarks.
Right click on the bar and show the last modified column.
guigs2 said
You can view the bookmarks by last modified date if you open the Firefox Bookmarks. Bookmarks > Show all Bookmarks. Right click on the bar and show the last modified column.
Dear guigs2, thanks for this good approach!
This is not really sexy, but it would be at least a workaround for one problem if I would only sync FF for desktops. The order in the sidebar would still remain buggy. And I don´t know if you have read my next problem; there are also folders mixed up. It is really difficult to reorganize a folder-structure, after every syncing-process.
If I use further FF on android, I can´t show all bookmarks or rather sort them in chronical order.
Am I the only one with hundreds of bookmarks in the unsorted-folder?
An gyara
acerfox said
1. I cant understand, why a sort order should depend on a folders name. I often just set bookmarks und give them different tags. I like folders for lasting bookmarks but I cant move all my bookmarks into specific folders.
Sorry that I neglected to address that statement.
The Unsorted Bookmarks folder isn't handled the same as folders which are created in the Bookmarks Menu folder, or the Bookmarks Toolbar folder for that matter. Based upon what you have brought up in this thread, my thoughts are that the Unsorted Bookmarks folder contents are "weighted" toward the bookmarks which were saved on each local device as having a higher priority on each local device, as far as how they are displayed.
In conclusion - my suggestion is to stop creating folders in Unsorted Bookmarks, and use the Bookmarks Menu folder for new folders. That should stop the issues you are describing.
As I said before, IMO that Unsorted Bookmarks folder wasn't intended to be used as you are using it. It was intended to be used for temporary or limited storage of bookmarks. I honestly don't think the developers had any design criteria for it to be used for hundreds of bookmarks and multiple folders.
the-edmeister said
The Unsorted Bookmarks folder isn't handled the same as folders which are created in the Bookmarks Menu folder, or the Bookmarks Toolbar folder for that matter. Based upon what you have brought up in this thread, my thoughts are that the Unsorted Bookmarks folder contents are "weighted" toward the bookmarks which were saved on each local device as having a higher priority on each local device, as far as how they are displayed.
I guess, if it is "weighted", then only by the syncing-process. Like I wrote, I have no problems with XMARKS!
In conclusion - my suggestion is to stop creating folders in Unsorted Bookmarks, and use the Bookmarks Menu folder for new folders. That should stop the issues you are describing.
Sorry, if I described my problem not precise enough! I DON´T create folders in UNsorted Bookmarks. I always create them in Bookmarks-Menu-Folder, but my folders appear suddenly in the unsorted folder AFTER syncing.
As I said before, IMO that Unsorted Bookmarks folder wasn't intended to be used as you are using it.
I have absolute no problems with hundreds of bookmarks in the unsorted folder on all my desktop and mobile profiles, if I sync by XMARKS or if I import the bookmarks manually. De facto is there no problem with the folder design. I have a problem with FF-sync!!!
Sorry, I have no experience using Xmarks. When that service first came out I didn't care for the TOS and decided that it wasn't for me.
the-edmeister said
Sorry, I have no experience using Xmarks. When that service first came out I didn't care for the TOS and decided that it wasn't for me.
I don´t understand what you didn´t care about exactly, but unfortunately XMARKS is so far the only one reliable sync-service for me.-/ I still hope, that maybe the developers change the sync-code in the next 2 years.-)
IIRC, they have or had access to each Xmarks users bookmarks - there was no encryption of the users bookmarks. But that may have changed because from what I have seen posted Xmarks may also synchronize passwords now, too - and that type of data [I trust] would be encrypted.
I recorded a bug, but it is a already known bug: See also: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=621584 https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1124369
Hope someone can fix it.