Mozilla plans to remove RSS feed reader support from Firefox

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Mozilla plans to remove RSS feed reader support from Firefox

bill

7:52 am on Jul 26, 2018 (gmt 0)

Mozilla plans to remove RSS feed reader and Live Bookmarks support from Firefox [ghacks.net]
A recent entry on Mozilla's bug tracking website indicates that Mozilla plans to cut RSS feed reader and Live Bookmarks support from the organization's Firefox web browser.
After careful consideration of various options (which also included doing nothing, or investing heavily in updating the code), we've decided to go ahead and remove builtin feed support from Firefox.

Although unfortunate for the world of RSS to lose this functionality, I must say that I completely forgot that Firefox supported RSS directly this way. Long ago I moved my RSS usage to a dedicated app, so I personally won't miss this feature being cut. I can also understand the security implications of having this built into the browser.

Was anybody using this?

not2easy

11:18 am on Jul 26, 2018 (gmt 0)

I had bookmarked a few service provider feeds via FF just because it was the most convenient way to check through the information quickly on an as-needed basis. Not used every day but when needed it has been handy. Yes, there are other (more time consuming) ways to get to what I want to know. I don't want to add these few feeds to my other feed reader clients, though, I have no interest in more clutter and delay so I'll see what I need via the browser, visiting the sites. :(

keyplyr

11:35 am on Jul 26, 2018 (gmt 0)

The Live Bookmarks was a security concern, was it not?

bill

10:31 pm on Jul 26, 2018 (gmt 0)

I don't recall any specific exploits, but know that it's been a concern. Browsers are the biggest attack vector on your system, so it makes sense to pare down features like this to make it more secure...especially if it wasn't used much.

tangor

6:20 am on Jul 27, 2018 (gmt 0)

I wonder how many FF users even know the RRS was built in? Well, that answer is actually moot ... very soon now!

bhukkel

8:07 am on Jul 27, 2018 (gmt 0)

I use it every day, so now i am forced to use a RSS app or some web based service.

tangor

11:01 am on Jul 27, 2018 (gmt 0)

Currently Thunderbird still offers it ... but for how long?

bill

12:54 am on Jul 30, 2018 (gmt 0)

An RSS news reader makes sense in Thunderbird though. That's what I also use to read old Newsgroups...remember those?

tangor

2:03 am on Jul 30, 2018 (gmt 0)

'Deed I do ... they are still there, just a bit harder to find. :)

I miss FidoNet ... (showing age)

bill

11:03 pm on Oct 14, 2018 (gmt 0)

Firefox removes core product support for RSS/Atom feeds [gijsk.com]

What is happening?

After considering the maintenance, performance and security costs of the feed preview and subscription features in Firefox, we�ve concluded that it is no longer sustainable to keep feed support in the core of the product. While we still believe in RSS and support the goals of open, interoperable formats on the Web, we strongly believe that the best way to meet the needs of RSS and its users is via WebExtensions.