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1. mozbal+(OP)[view] [source] 2023-07-26 13:19:06
Multiple profiles is fully supported. It's just hidden behind a clunky UX.

Also check out firefox containers which is to profiles what docker is to virtual machines.

replies(3): >>luuurk+t6 >>SoftTa+gg1 >>wsgeor+2A1
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2. luuurk+t6[view] [source] 2023-07-26 13:44:04
>>mozbal+(OP)
Containers are useful, but it's like having a few similar terminal windows open. Eventually you'll type something on the wrong window... at least I found myself searching for personal stuff on my work Google container.

With profiles I can have different bookmarks, extensions, and even a different theme so I'm aware I'm on my personal profile, not on a work profile. Since switching profiles on Firefox + macOS is a pain in the butt, I use 2 different Firefox channels (stable + dev).

Anyway, containers are nice, but they're not a replacement for profiles.

replies(1): >>wsgeor+UA1
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3. SoftTa+gg1[view] [source] 2023-07-26 17:58:10
>>mozbal+(OP)
Yeah, AFAIK to setup profiles you have to run:

    firefox --ProfileManager
And then to use them you have to start firefox e.g. :

    firefox -P <profile-name>
Very few casual users (nor even most technical users) start Firefox from a command line, and setting up shortcuts for these is also a step that most users won't do.

The support for profiles is there, it's just hard to use in the context of a GUI desktop.

replies(1): >>justco+Om1
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4. justco+Om1[view] [source] [discussion] 2023-07-26 18:21:48
>>SoftTa+gg1
can't you just go to about:profiles?
replies(1): >>SoftTa+5s1
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5. SoftTa+5s1[view] [source] [discussion] 2023-07-26 18:40:52
>>justco+Om1
Wow. I never knew. Thanks!
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6. wsgeor+2A1[view] [source] 2023-07-26 19:10:51
>>mozbal+(OP)
> It's just hidden behind a clunky UX.

That's part of the "problem" with Firefox's support of profiles. It feels more like an afterthought and less like a primary use case the product wants to surface. To approximate the functionality Chrome has, I had to bookmark "about:profiles" and make it my home page.

Chrome also added this nifty feature that lets you open links as a Profile, making it easy to switch.

These may seem like small issues, but the end up mattering.

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7. wsgeor+UA1[view] [source] [discussion] 2023-07-26 19:13:28
>>luuurk+t6
> Anyway, containers are nice, but they're not a replacement for profiles.

This, so much. Anytime I've brought up profiles on Firefox, I'm told about this alternative that isn't a replacement for the feature.

Safari is (finally) bringing this, so maybe the folks at FF will begin to see this as a feature worth investing in. First-class profiles support is one of the main reasons I stick to Chrome, despite trying to switch.

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