How do I import bookmarks from Firefox to opera 20

[colderwinters]

colderwinters last edited by

If there was actually anything new coming out in every new version of Opera that comes out, maybe then we would have a new batch of questions detailing new problems in the forums, but no, there are no new topics concerning new problems that come up, it's the same questions over and over again, same problems over and over again, and Bookmarks being a pretty good example of this.

[blackbird71]

blackbird71 last edited by

Don't we get tired of these kinds of posts, We've gone over the bookmarks thing over and over and over, countless times, plenty of prior posts detail just about anything anybody needs to know about bookmarks

I think part (but certainly not all) of the problem is that the forum search capabilities here are... well... uhmm... "limited". More often than not, I find myself now essentially Googling (I actually use StartPage) for earlier forum posts on a certain topic, visually filtering out the ones that aren't from Opera's forums (of which, on some topics, there are very large numbers). Even then, it can be a challenge to find a thread I absolutely know exists here - somewhere.

That said, the most common user behavior when a question or problem is encountered is to go to the related product forum, register, and immediately post about it... without ever scanning the forum indices nor using the forum search itself. It's a "human nature" thing that, however frustrating it might be to forum helpers, is as persistent as any other element of human nature.

[A Former User]

A Former User last edited by

Don't we get tired of these kinds of posts, We've gone over the bookmarks thing over and over and over, countless times, plenty of prior posts detail just about anything anybody needs to know about bookmarks
Well I'd close the topic as a duplicate of a prior one, but it's very hard to:

• Keep track of new topics about the same issue and store links to reference the users in these new topics.
• After a reply I can't immediately close the topic, because it'd leave the user without the possibility to ask further instructions when the first suggestion doesn't work for him/her. Then other users come in and reply different procedures that have never been cited in other earlier discussions which make this topic different and equally useful compared to others so I can't close it.
• Differentiate these topics. Each user have different needs and preferred procedures to achieve the bookmark import. They end up not being duplicates. Or...
• Decide which topic should be the one I link here. Which one about importing Firefox bookmarks to Opera is the most complete topic to mark this topic as a duplicate of it?
• Sometimes the earlier topic contains the solution to import bookmarks from browser X, but it's after several initial posts and some back and forth discussions so the instructions there aren't clear or optimal enough to point users to those topics.

If there was actually anything new coming out in every new version of Opera that comes out, maybe then we would have a new batch of questions detailing new problems in the forums, but no, there are no new topics concerning new problems that come up, it's the same questions over and over again, same problems over and over again, and Bookmarks being a pretty good example of this.
You haven't been following the discussion or Opera's developers blog? We have cited the first run import tool here and there's a bookmarks flag in Opera Dev that gives you access to a bookmarks manager. So, of course it isn't Stable-quality and not enabled in the Stable stream, but there's something coming out!

PS. An observation: look at how many one-posters we have here, including the OP. o.O

[A Former User]

A Former User last edited by admin

Yes, we're running around here duplicating advice in this thread and this one!

[lem729]

lem729 last edited by

The problem is we have new people who need help. And the seach vehicle for the forum is terrible. It puts a burden on everyone. But still people post new to Opera, and they have very basic needs, often relating to bookmarks.. To say, we've answered 20 times in the forum doesn't help if one can't easily find the stuff. I'm like blackbird71, as I often find more doing google searches than forum searches.

[reaper101]

reaper101 last edited by

Uhmm... well, there actually is another explanation, which is that Opera didn't plan or strategize on using bookmarks at all at the outset of its Blink-based browser because it believed most users didn't use/need bookmarks (based on its user 'survey' and its market-target demographics). That explanation is reinforced by a number of official/developer statements along those lines in the early days of New Opera. They thought users would be satisfied by the SpeedDial and Stash features. Now, since Opera has finally included a bookmark bar at least in part because of user outcry, the development of a suitable manager is probably wrapped around the same axle of developing a comprehensive manager for bookmarks, SpeedDial, and Stash... which may be no small task, particularly in the presence of Opera's other priorities.

Opera's user 'survey' and its market-target demographics were wrong if Opera had to finally include a bookmark bar because of user outcry!

It appears to me that Mozilla and Opera are forcing people to use Chrome and IE!! Firefox with its memory leaks even ESR and Opera no bookmark options!!!! Why should their be this big a thread on bookmarks when all they needed was either was an import option or an upgrade option on install of Opera 20+!

This is way too much work to install a simple browser!

I was thinking about installing Opera on our computers at work because of Mozilla's new browser that is one big memory leak, and slows everyone's computer down, there are employees with 100-1000 bookmarks. This leaves us with the only option, Chrome!!

Opera isn't getting it! All they have to do is make their browser bookmark friendly and they can snag a huge chunk of Firefox users!

[A Former User]

A Former User last edited by admin

Consider that recent topics duplication problem solved.

That was my best attempt to help someone with importing bookmarks from Firefox, it was long after there were multiple confusing threads about importing from Firefox though so it's itself a duplicate but a better organized one if you follow the links I provided:
https://forums.opera.com/topic/3278/importing-bookmarks-in-v-22

To sum up, the options are:

• Install Opera 12, import from Firefox to Opera 12 via the menu there, then use the command line to enable the bookmarks importer under more tools which will be grayed out to get the bookmarks from Opera 12 to Opera 23+ (which will erase your current profile - saved bookmarks, passwords, Speed Dial, etc). These instructions are in the topic from the Mac area I link above.
• Empty profile, run the first run import command line parameter once having Firefox set as your default browser.

Other options below. For these, you need to move all your bookmarks to the bookmarks bar in the browser you intend to import from or they won't appear in Opera, or use a bookmarks manager extension like Neater Bookmarks from the Chrome Extension Store (or the bookmarks from opera:flags and opera:bookmarks in Opera 24+).

• Using Transmute, Firefox to Chrome then copy the Bookmarks file to Opera's profile.
• Xmarks Sync. The other method I described in the topic above.

PS. And we have yet another new one-poster who did nothing else than bloat the discussion.

[lem729]

lem729 last edited by

One more simple approach. Export bookmarks from Firefox to Chrome (which has an import feature). Once that import has successfully been accomplished, just copy the bookmark file in the Chrome profile into the Opera 23 profile.

[salek73]

salek73 last edited by

This is well beyond a Joke - after being a Opera user for well over a decade i finally decided to move onto Chrome, who the hell thought speed dial should be a replacement for bookmark manager ?? opera guys should know speed dial complements bookmarks.

Going back to the move to chrome - i am glad i have done its a very future rich browser with plenty of options for customization, and everything works seamlessly and is tons faster than any of opera releases,

listen guys - stop contemplating if you should install opera on you PC, just install chrome and you will be more than happy heck even the latest version of Internet explorer is better than this sorry mess.

Anyway guys adios - an opera user never to return, i cant thank the opera team enough for making me do the switch.

[A Former User]

A Former User last edited by

So glad you took the trouble to join the forum just to tell us that!

[blackbird71]

blackbird71 last edited by

In does amaze, how some folks trouble themselves to register in software forums just to fire a shot and say goodbye. They apparently fancy that somehow they'll be missed, though indeed they were never really present.

[salek73]

salek73 last edited by

Guys - why do you think i took the time "not the trouble" as stated above, to put my points across ? it because i used to consider "OPERA" as the best browser, i do really hope going forward they are able to fix these issues at least for the new users,

and also " not present in the forum = True" but was most certainly present as a user back in the days where you had to pay for this browser !!!!!

[lem729]

lem729 last edited by

Opera still is the best browser! Yes, they can can change this, and make this better, but even as it is, I find it superb. And I say that without hesitation. In any event, salek73, hope you enjoy whichever one you are using. I was also an Opera User when you had to pay for it.

[s0lem]

s0lem last edited by

If there are many threads complaining or questioning the favorites, the problem is not the user but the tool, because if there is a bookmark bar I think there should be a decent manager.

I do not think coming here to install the version that is spoken most current, with one thing in half of these. If there was a simple method to import bookmarks from other places and put as SpeedDial, ok ... but no.

And yes, I searched the forum before replying this topic, and I was not happy with any of the alternatives. Also because it is supposed to be usable and has the feature, at a minimum I do not need to come here researching.

I as a user have no problem with my bookmarks in Chrome, IE, and others.

As said, which surprised the User to install and see who can not quickly import your favorites.

And yes, looking on google, you will find many ways to do it, but that's not the point. It should be easy to find an easy way inside Opera, since it is already a very known browser to Opera Link I do not know if it works.

I went back to install Opera many years later, I was amazed with the quality, beauty, but the simple favorites, or whatever they call it now, is only possible in other ways which I as a user do not want to have to search for how to do as well as the other browsers do, not because favorites turned speeddial, stash or whatever it is, but because for me and surely many others this is essential.

[lem729]

lem729 last edited by

@sOlem

As for the many threads of complaints, a lot of people don't know how to use the existing bookmarks features in Opera, and related extensions. Also, the Opera browser has been evolving with each update.

First there is a bookmarks bar in Opera 23. You raised a question there when you said, " because if there is a bookmark bar I think there should be a decent manager." There's no "if" about it. Just go Alt P, and under User Interface, put a check in Show Bookmarks Bar. And then you have it.

In addition, please rest assured that there are quite good bookmark manager extensions. Here's a link to Neater Bookmarks, Neater Bookmarks, https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/neater-bookmarks/ofgjggbjanlhbgaemjbkiegeebmccifi?hl=en-US

Chrookmarks for Chrome is also very good, (it's the one I am now using) https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/chrookmarks-chrome-bookma/kcdheengilgkagjehknnnofigbmlnnfj?hl=en-US,

You can download and try both, annd decide which one you prefer as a bookmarks manager extension. Then just uninstall the other one.

You do need that Opera Extension called Download Chrome Extension, https://addons.opera.com/en/extensions/details/download-chrome-extension-9/?display=en or Extension Source Viewer, https://addons.opera.com/en/extensions/details/extension-source-viewer/ in order to download either of these Chrome Extensions.

With the right bookmarks manager (and I like the two I recommended), I see no need to show the personal bookmarks bar. So I go Alt P, and take the check out of Show Bookmarks Bar. That gains me valuable real estate in the browser. When I want to see my bookmarks, I just click on the bookmarks manager icon.

Stash and Speed Dial are totally different ways to make bookmarks. And I do find the Speed Dial (where you can create folders by dragging one bookmark thumbnail in the Speed Dial on top of another) totally superb. That's another feature though, so I won't go into it here. In terms of traditional bookmarks you can certainly have a nice personal bookmarks vertical display with a good bookmarks manager in Opera 23. I'm delighted with what I can do with just that.

Also, I recommend the Opera extension called "Add bookmark"(I also use it)
https://addons.opera.com/en/extensions/details/add-bookmark?display=en
as it makes it easy to, in taking the bookmark, put it in the right place on your bookmarks tree. The native feature in Opera 23 for taking the bookmarks does not work as well.

[thutoms]

thutoms last edited by

Point 1: The bookmark bar is a nuisance, I want to have as little things visible on my browser as possible, so nothing would disrupt my view. Also, it is mentally exhausting, I don't want to have my bookmarks and folders exposed to anyone like that.
Point 2: I need to have bookmarks as visually concise as possible, this was the case in Opera 12, that I last used. - A list of all my bookmarks and folders with a simple ctrl+b.
Point 3: The speed dial was only convenient when I could actually use the shortcuts (ctr + 1 until 9), without that the speed dial loses half of its serviceability. Like mentioned before - speed dial (even with the ability to create folders) is no replacement for bookmarks. It is not visually concise, which is exasperating. Speed dial is complementary to bookmarks.

And in the end..Imagine internet users that had some good memories with previous Operas. Then they are introduced to this and they are expected to fight for bookmarks? This is ludicrously stupid! What kind of a service is this? To the ones telling us to "get with the times" ..you are just ignorant, if it doesn't bother you it doesn't prove there isn't a problem. Especially when there are so many that report that there, in fact, is a lack.

[Deleted User]

Deleted User last edited by

Point 1: the bookmark bar is NOT a nuisance. You can toggle it on or off with the Settings.
Point 2: there are a number of extensions that give a very good bookmark capability (i.e. Tidy Bookmarks). See the Chrome store.
Point 3: the developer version (25) will add bookmarking functionality to the browser so relax and wait to see what will be coming soon.
Point 4: many users do not have good memories of the former Opera browser, hence it never caught on with the general public. The thing that is ludicrously stupid is not informing yourself of what Opera is currently doing. Educate yourself first; THEN post.

[thutoms]

thutoms last edited by

Yes I can toggle it, still it is inconvenient. Much more than having a bookmark tree that I can make appear and disappear with a simple ctrl+b. Going to the settings every time for that is unnecessarily tedious. I did install Tidy, a bit robust, but way better than the bar. With that, yes, I can install add-ons for bookmarks, tab stacks and everything, it, nevertheless, feels like I'm finishing up what was left undone by the developers. Letting you in on my personal history with opera: I loved it and hated it at the same time - it had all the shortcuts and levers and tricks for my taste I wouldn't have even thought to wish for before opera, no other browser has made me feel so integrated. But in time it revealed it's weakness to me, too. So I gradually switched to others. Now, coming back to the present: I am voicing my opinion with the intention of demonstrating that there are many and loads of people with this stand point. Thanks for bringing out the future course of opera, you are making a valid point. I hope to keep by opera, for all the fuzzy memories I have with it, seriously, and I still stand by my point of voicing my opinion.

[lem729]

lem729 last edited by

Yes I can toggle it, still it is inconvenient. Much more than having a bookmark tree that I can make appear and disappear with a simple ctrl+b.

That's what you do. You can have a bookmarks manager, like Chrookmarks for Chrome, Neater Bookmarks, Tidy Bookmarks, etc, and simply hide the Opera bookmarks bar. You don't need the bar. Now go ctrl shift E and look at your extensions. At the end of the list, at the very bottom is Extension Keyboard Shortcuts. So get a bookmarks manager, and use it, hide the bookmarks bar completely, create an easy shortcut to toggle open or closed the bookmarks manager (I use Chrookmarks, and this is how I do it), maybe ctrl b, which opens a vertical display of your bookmarks (toggled closed by another ctrl b). And there you have it. You can either click on the bookmarks manager extension on the icon bar to open it, or open it via keyboard, ctrl b. It's simple. (And that's what you asked for: a simple ctrl b) And you close it the same way.

Bookmarks are easy to manage "right now", if you put a little thought to it. Opera is a pleasure to use not tomorrow, but today, and it's going to be even better in the future. Have faith!

[ahpitre]

ahpitre last edited by

Still, missing a bookmarks manager, or the ability to import/export from/to the bookmarks bar is really a glarring omission on the part of the Opera team. I really think that the majority of the users would still prefer this then the odd Speedial/Stash. I think the Opera team just wanted to make Opera different for different's sake, they didn't take into account true functionality and ease of use