I’d be open to this if it was built in Firefox and let you run the models on your own machine instead of blindly trusting a third party.
It sounds like you would prefer Pocket Recommendations then, as that is exactly how it works.
Firefox Offers Recommendations with Latest Test Pilot Experiment: Advance
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Re: Firefox Offers Recommendations with Latest Test Pilot Experiment: Advance
#12Earlier quoted context omitted.
> I feel compelled to point out straight away that this is explicitly opt-in. Now. > The sky is not falling just because they're offering something like this locked behind two separate opt-in steps. They did the same scam with Pocket. Now, tell me how to disable that again?
> Now, tell me how to disable that again? You can disable it in about:config.
extensions.pocket.enabled => FALSE
is what you're talking about, right?
Why the hell is a bloody plugin compiled in with a browser?! I should be able to click "delete" on the plugin screen and purge this trashheap from my system. I shouldn't have to use "hope and prayer" that a plugin isn't used.
Instead, I have to go traipsing in about:config. It's not even in preferences, or plugins, or wherever.
Re: Firefox Offers Recommendations with Latest Test Pilot Experiment: Advance
#13Since there are a lot of more hyperbolic articles from "ghacks" and similar ilk going around, I feel compelled to point out straight away that this is explicitly opt-in. You not only have to install the Test Pilot addon, which is not installed by default, but you then have to enable the experiment. The sky is not falling just because they're offering something like this locked behind two separate opt-in steps.
> I feel compelled to point out straight away that this is explicitly opt-in. Now. > The sky is not falling just because they're offering something like this locked behind two separate opt-in steps. They did the same scam with Pocket. Now, tell me how to disable that again?
[deleted]
Re: Firefox Offers Recommendations with Latest Test Pilot Experiment: Advance
#14Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Now, tell me how to disable that again? You can disable it in about:config.
extensions.pocket.enabled => FALSE is what you're talking about, right? Why the hell is a bloody plugin compiled in with a browser?! I should be able to click "delete" on the plugin screen and purge this trashheap from my system. I shouldn't have to use "hope and prayer" that a plugin isn't used. Instead, I have to go traipsing in about:config. It's not even in preferences, or plugins, or wherever.
You're better off just going the power user way and making your own user.js file
https://github.com/pyllyukko/user.js
You can use version control, options persist between restarts if you accidentally change something, you can use comments, easily make new profiles that share the same settings
Or you can keep complaining until every piece of software have like 3 options inside a hamburger menu
Re: Firefox Offers Recommendations with Latest Test Pilot Experiment: Advance
#15Since there are a lot of more hyperbolic articles from "ghacks" and similar ilk going around, I feel compelled to point out straight away that this is explicitly opt-in. You not only have to install the Test Pilot addon, which is not installed by default, but you then have to enable the experiment. The sky is not falling just because they're offering something like this locked behind two separate opt-in steps.
Since there are a lot of Mozilla shills going around, I feel compelled to point out that "ghacks" is a quality tech feed to follow if you want to stay up to date regarding this sort of things.
Re: Firefox Offers Recommendations with Latest Test Pilot Experiment: Advance
#16Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Now, tell me how to disable that again? You can disable it in about:config.
extensions.pocket.enabled => FALSE is what you're talking about, right? Why the hell is a bloody plugin compiled in with a browser?! I should be able to click "delete" on the plugin screen and purge this trashheap from my system. I shouldn't have to use "hope and prayer" that a plugin isn't used. Instead, I have to go traipsing in about:config. It's not even in preferences, or plugins, or wherever.
I happen to agree, but it doesn’t really change much about how I interact with firefox after I disable it.
Have you checked out the alternatives? I remember IceWeasel at one point in Debian.
Re: Firefox Offers Recommendations with Latest Test Pilot Experiment: Advance
#17The important bit:
"[...] we want people to clearly understand that Laserlike will receive their web browsing history before installing the experiment. We have also included controls so that participants can pause the experiment, see what browser history Laserlike has about them, or request deletion of that information."
So, this is basically a better Stumble Upon, where you can delete the data they have on you.
How are they monetizing the service?
There is a complaint on the Apple App store that while you can delete your history, you may not be able to delete your account: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/laserlike-search-discover/id...
Re: Firefox Offers Recommendations with Latest Test Pilot Experiment: Advance
#18When I started reading the article I thought this was an enhancement to Pocket and that somehow, external data (context from other sites) downloaded periodically combined with local browser history, would help the extension to provide options on where to go next.
But later I understood that the browser history is sent to a machine learning startup called Laserlike:
“At Mozilla, we believe browser history is sensitive information and we want people to clearly understand that Laserlike will receive their web browsing history before installing the experiment. We have also included controls so that participants can pause the experiment, see what browser history Laserlike has about them, or request deletion of that information.”
I certainly wouldn’t try this experiment out. Not because my browsing history is scandalous in any way, but because it’s nobody else’s business to see what I’m doing with my browser, when and where.
I do commend Mozilla for being transparent and also for doing such experiments, even though as a privacy nut, I don’t see myself using this ever.
Re: Firefox Offers Recommendations with Latest Test Pilot Experiment: Advance
#19Since there are a lot of more hyperbolic articles from "ghacks" and similar ilk going around, I feel compelled to point out straight away that this is explicitly opt-in. You not only have to install the Test Pilot addon, which is not installed by default, but you then have to enable the experiment. The sky is not falling just because they're offering something like this locked behind two separate opt-in steps.
> I feel compelled to point out straight away that this is explicitly opt-in. Now. > The sky is not falling just because they're offering something like this locked behind two separate opt-in steps. They did the same scam with Pocket. Now, tell me how to disable that again?
Pocket doesn't send your browsing history to a third party; it all works locally.
Re: Firefox Offers Recommendations with Latest Test Pilot Experiment: Advance
#20If you allow me to put on my red hat (when was the last time you heard someone say that ?) then I have to say that this feels like typical PR speak where the opposite is closer to the truth than the actual statement.