Make your extensions work in Firefox 3.6

Firefox is my default browser. I use quite a number of Firefox extensions (add-ons) to do certain functions and I've come to rely on them quite a bit. However, when you upgrade to a later version of the browser, some of these extensions are not compatible anymore.

The reason is simple, these extensions are created by external developers and they can only fix the code or release later versions of their extensions, after the newest browser version has been released. Also, some developers don't update their code at all.

Problem - Incompatible extensions

I recently upgraded from Firefox 3.5.7 to Firefox 3.6 and found that two of my extensions didn't work anymore, GMail Manager and Easy DragToGo.

There are two ways to deal with incompatible Firefox extensions:

1. Set Firefox not to check the compatibility of the extension and ignore it altogether, or
2. Modify the compatibility version of the individual add-on/extension

Disclaimer: Please note that if you make any changes, you do them at your own risk!

I chose option 2 (see second section on that page) because option 1 doesn't always work with all add-ons and since you're modifying the individual add-on with option 2, there is less risk.

In short, I basically changed the value of <em:maxversion> to 3.6.* in the install.rtf file of each add-on, re-installed the updated add-on, restarted the browser and everything worked again.

Related link
Why I use Firefox (and list of extensions I use) Read more on "Make your extensions work in Firefox 3.6"!

Biggest Powerball jackpot won - R91 million!

Last night one very lucky individual won the biggest lottery prize in South African history, R91 million and change! No, it wasn't me.

[image source]

UPDATE 16 FEB - Winner claims prize

The winner of the R91m Powerball has been revealed as a 43-year old mother of two teenagers, from the Western Cape. She has requested to remain anonymous, for obvious reasons.

Related links
The R91 million winner has come forward
Powerball - New lottery game in South Africa
Powerball results
SA National Lottery Read more on "Biggest Powerball jackpot won - R91 million!"!

Springbok contracts revealed

The Springbok rugby players who signed contracts with SA Rugby have been announced. This group will probably form the nucleus of the squad who will defend South Africa's title at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

Contracted Springboks

2-year contracts: John Smit (hooker), Bakkies Botha (lock), Victor Matfield (lock), Schalk Burger (loose forward), Juan Smith (loose forward), Pierre Spies (loose forward), Fourie du Preez (scrumhalf), Bryan Habana (wing), Jaque Fourie (centre), JP Pietersen (wing).

1-year contracts: Tendai Mtawarira (prop), Bismarck du Plessis (hooker), Andries Bekker (lock), Heinrich Brüssow (loose forward), Danie Rossouw (lock/loose forward), Ruan Pienaar (scrumhalf/utility), Morné Steyn (flyhalf), Wynand Olivier (centre), Adrian Jacobs (centre), Chiliboy Ralepelle (hooker) subject to a fitness test.

Overseas-based players

SA Rugby has a policy of not offering contracts to Springboks playing for clubs abroad but the following players could still feature in coach Peter de Villiers's plans for the 2011 RWC: Jean de Villiers (centre), CJ van der Linde (prop), BJ Botha (prop) and Frans Steyn (fullback). Read more on "Springbok contracts revealed"!