transferriing bookmarks from windows machine

Coover,

The answer is to backup your profile folder. The specifics are here:

    http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder

Please return to launchpad and indicate if this solves your question, or if you require further information.

Thanks,

Harvey

Ok, I've got the file "bookmarks.html" from Vista copied over to my Linux desktop, but Firefox claims it cannot find it (using the import option) and will not allow me to browse to the file.

I have also tried to copy the file directly into the profile folder, but the right click context menu in the profile directory does not offer the paste option. I also tried to "drag" the file into the directory, but that didn't work either.

Since I am a Linux "newby", I suppose I am doing something wrong, but have no idea what it is.

coover,

It looks like a file permissions conflict. There are basically two things you want to check:

    1. Ownership attribute
    2. Read / Write attributes

Open up a terminal and enter the following (all but the '$' prompt):

    $ ls -l ~/Desktop/bookmarks.html

You may have to adjust the path information, if the file is NOT in the Desktop folder. This is a sample of what you might see:

    -r--r--r-- 1 root root 14305 2008-04-21 08:06 /home/tester/Desktop/bookmarks.html

The r's in the first field indicate Read rights, the third field shows that root is the owner of the file. Check the permissions and ownership of your bookmarks.html as shown above.

First, if you are not the owner of the file, you can change ownership to your user account using the following command in a terminal:

    $ sudo chown $USER ~/Desktop/bookmarks.html

If the file's permissions are read only, as shown above, you can add write permissions for the user using the following command in a terminal:

    $ chmod u+w ~/Desktop/bookmarks.html

After permissions and ownership are correct, you should not have any problems importing your bookmarks.

Please report back to Launchpad and let me know if this resolves your question, or if you require further information.

Thanks,

Harvey

Sorry I've taken so long, but I've been ill and haven't had the opportunity to try your suggestion. I now have done so.

The terminal prompt opens as "acer@acer-laptop:~1$"

I type "ls -1 ~/Desktop/bookmarks.html"

The response is (printed in green) "/home/acer/Desktop/bookmarks.html"

I try again at the prompt and the response this time is "bash: -1: command not found"

I did not go any further with this other than to right click on the file "bookmarks.html" and check the properties which show the owner as "Acer", the group as "Acer' and all access is "Read and Write".

Coover,

That should be l as in L, not a 1 in "ls -l ..."

Hope that helps,

Harvey

Ok, the "l" worked in place of the "1" but the ownership and permissons of the file on the desktop were ok. So I checked the properties of the file in the "etc" folder by browsing down to it and right clicking on "Properties". It turns out that that particular file is owned by "root". So back to the terminal I went. I typed in

"sudo chown $USER ~/etc/firefox-3.0/profile/bookmarks.html" and was told that the file was not found. Obviously I'm missing something?

Re: "~/etc/firefox-3.0/profile/bookmarks.html"

I did say, did I not, that I have absolutely no knowledge of Linux? Well, if I didn't, I think you know it now.

Yes, I was trying to import from File > Import. Made sense to me

And yes, using Organize Bookmarks, I was able to import. Whew!!!

But why would Firefox have an Import button on the File Menu and then use the Organize button on the Bookmarks Menu, particularly when "Organize" does not seem to describe importation? Oh well!

By the way, where do you find such esoteric commands as "ls", "sudo", and "chown". I'd like to get the list, if possible.

coover,

I don't know why that File > Import option is present. I'll have to read up on it. I only had a flash of inspiration relative to your original problem, and realized that was what you were trying to do.

The lesson learned for me is that "when the bulb is out, check the bulb before you start tracing the wiring." I seem to relearn that frequently.

On obtaining more general linux knowledge. I recommend you take a look at www.tldp.org. There are a few guides that will help you come up to speed. Most of the material is dated, but still pertinent.

Best wishes,

Harvey