Convert Firefox bookmarks to .url files

[bdrifter]

Hello all,

I'm looking for software that will:

1) Convert Firefox bookmarks to .url files, and
2) Retain the added date in the file properties

For example, if I have a FF bookmark for google.com, added
on 2008/08/08 08:08, after it's converted to a .url shortcut,
the added date will be retained either through the created
date or modified date of the .url.

I know, I know, it's a pretty specific, but I thought I'd try asking :P

Cheers

[Juxxize]

i use google chrome and firefox so i need my bookmarks on both and xmarks has always given me what i needed , would xmarks but any use to you? xmarks

[bdrifter]

Hello Juxxize,

Sorry for the late reply and thanks!

From what I understand however xmarks is a
bookmark/history/tab syncing plugin. My purpose
is more archival than synchronization so the
timestamp aspect is important to me, and I don't
think xmark provides that

But thank you for the suggestion!

[nagidar]

It would take awhile but you could use the open in IE extension and then save them as url in IE

[m22rdy]

I'm still working on this BTW...

It looks to be an:

- HTML Export (Firefox),
- Import - Spreadsheet VBA (to convert the UNIX date to normal) / export
- Python script (to apply VBA attributes to .URL)
- Add the batch to IE (simple drag/drop)


It really looks like a (batch) manual process. Keep checking back (or this may help anyone else in the future).

[m22rdy]

Originally Posted by m22rdy

I'm still working on this BTW...

It looks to be an:

- HTML Export (Firefox),
- Import - Spreadsheet VBA (to convert the UNIX date to normal) / export
- Python script (to apply VBA attributes to .URL)
- Add the batch to IE (simple drag/drop)


It really looks like a (batch) manual process. Keep checking back (or this may help anyone else in the future).

Forgot: VBA is merely a batching process (you could actually do each one manually in notepad (not advisable) or Python if you don't have access to Excel.

Also note: I'll only be uploading the source code / VBA code not files for security purposes.

[m22rdy]

Nearly finished.

I decided to abandon Excel VBA because not everyone will have access to it. Python on the other hand is free, widely available and can handle everything in a oner.

So, we have:

Bookmark Export (still manual, but easy to do)
Bookmark Import (check)
Bookmark Extract Address (check)
Update Modify Date (check)
Rename & Export to URL (check)

Automatic move to IE (WIP)

Bugs

Cannot handle special characters (yet!) WIP (\ / : * ? " < > |)

Future Implements

GUI (might just create one and release it as abandonware :P )

[m22rdy]

Done:

To execute, there are a few parameters that need to be followed:

1. Bookmarks have to be extracted manually from Firefox
Firefox > Bookmarks > Import & Backup > Export Bookmarks to HTML



2. Install Python 2.7 > http://www.python.org/download/ (freeware)

3. Open IDLE interpreter (Program Files > Python 2.7)

4. File New Window (Ctrl - N)

5. Paste Code http://pastebin.com/C3wDzMER from here

6. Save in same folder as bookmark export

7. Run > Run Module (or F5) to Run


Disclaimer: This has only been tested on W7 and with no issues, there is no reason it should work on Win 2000, XP or 8 but I'm open to comments, suggestions or bugs. If your unsure - do not use!

The main purpose is to maintain the original date/time upon import.

[bdrifter]

Wow, I thought this thread died and kinda forgot about it after a week, but
checked back on a whim while cleaning out my temporary links, and found
your mind blowing posts. Thank you so much, I really should have stuck around.

While I eventually found a solution here, I am truly grateful for your
help. I've tested the code and it seems to work just as well, so please leave
it here for anyone with similar needs, as I'm sure there are never enough
solutions

Best, and thanks again
Walt

[Emil Albert]

The script is no longer accessible. Same for the other version linked to in the last post.
Does anyone have one of the scripts?