Android mobile: easier/quicker way to turn js on/off
Certain websites that I like to visit regularly are very slow as a result of some slow-running javascripts. I used to handle this by turning off js as a matter of course, turning it back on only on an as needed basis, which resulted in much faster browsing. As a bonus, this also meant that I became less trackable via my browser footprint.
But with Firefox 19.0 the option for turning js on/off has disappeared from the options, meaning I have to pull up an about:config page instead, then do a search to find the option, then turn it off or on as needed.
This is a bit of a pain, actually; I am the world's worst typist, at least on my mobile, so anything that might help would be much appreciated. Is it possible to instead bookmark a pair of url strings, one to turn js on, the other to turn it off? Or is there some other, better way in general of handling this? Thanks in advance for all advice.
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All Replies (11)
Try updating to Firefox 19 first (it looks like you are using 10 right now) as 19 is much faster with javascript and you might not need to do this anymore anyway.
I don't know why that was removed. Can you edit the subject line of your post to refer to mobile or android to draw the attention of those more in-the-know?
Good idea. done.
I am already using 19.0 according to the "about" page. Did your server logs indicate 10?
Oh, I see the 10 vs 19 confusion. I am using 19 on my android but 10 for my laptop. I posted this q using my laptop. Laptop works great; it's the android where I can't enable/disable js so easily.
Also, even if a newer version is faster, while that's nice (really nice, actually!) I do still like minimizing the ease of tracking me via my browser footprint. Lord knows I get enough spam as it is.
You should update your laptop to 19.0.2, as it's more secure and faster than 10.
As for mobile, there is no easy way to turn off Javascript except about:config. However you shouldn't be needing to do that for performance.
I'll give laptop 19 a try, I guess. Am always reluctant to upgrade cuz of, well, cuz of things like no longer being able to disable js easily. So as a rule I usually stick with whatever version works till it won't work any longer.
However you shouldn't be needing to do that for performance.
Unfortunately, the performance lags using js are very noticeable for me. It could be in part because my ph is getting old, but I have turned off js over the years on every smart ph I had and each time I could sure see it help, thus the habit. Plus the pref for being less trackable.
Also, stories like this ...
http://www.technewsdaily.com/16750-mainstream-website-malware.html
... remind me that disabling js (except when absolutely needed) helps to reduce my security risks, too. I presume that the easier this is to do, the better protected, in practice, Firefox users will be.
Js is still a wonderful concept and tool, it's just that no tool needs to be used all the time.
P.S. Thx for all the helpful replies. When I compare the quick and informed responses I get from here to many other orgs that I've dealt with over the years, I can think of none better.
Someone will probably create an add-on to ease access to popular preferences. But until then...
Someone will probably create an add-on to ease access to popular preferences. But until then...
Yep, looks like it. In the meantime, I have taken to opening up my about:config page, searching for javascript, and then leaving that page perpetually open in a tab of its own so that I more easily can turn js on/off as I choose. Guess that's the workaround for now.
P.S. The unnecessary use of js has always made me wonder if it was just being done by overly-enthusiastic pgmrs looking to flex their skills or if there was more of a purpose behind it. Maybe one or the other depending on the website in q? For ex, what percentage of js logins (e.g. Starbucks) should I presume are already using browser footprints for tracking? Or am I being paranoid?
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