[QUOTE=S485122;474668](It is a pity that so many software developers want to impose their view on how we should work and what layout our screen should have. Very often the customisation options still exist in the code but are hidden because "they" know what we should like.)[/QUOTE]I'd like to think it is more about laziness than malice. Maybe if it wasn't "free" then there would be more consideration given to the users?[sup][1][/sup] I suppose another option is for each of us to write our own.

[size=1][sup][1][/sup] Nah, who am I kidding, they still wouldn't care.[/size]

[QUOTE=S485122;474668]You might try the [URL="https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/organizations/"]ESR (extended Support Release) of Firefox[/URL], but even that one will "upgrade" in May 2018 to version 60, at that point you will have to use themes to try to get a reasonable interface, but will still have telemetry, data collection, sponsored links, etc.
If you like the classic interface there are forks available. I am currently using PaleMoon which is based on Firefox 27 but receives security updates. You might try Waterfox that will continue to support the old plug-ins like "Classic Theme Restorer".

Jacob

(It is a pity that so many software developers want to impose their view on how we should work and what layout our screen should have. Very often the customisation options still exist in the code but are hidden because "they" know what we should like.)[/QUOTE]
Many thanks for the information and suggestions. I will certainly look into them.

FF 57 has a new engine and it is a lot quicker, but it does have a new look.

New observation: MalwareBytes interferes when I preview or try to post a reply to the forum. That is the only trigger I have identified, so far.

[QUOTE=kladner;475226]New observation: MalwareBytes interferes when I preview or try to post a reply to the forum. That is the only trigger I have identified, so far.[/QUOTE]

This might be relevant...

The latest FireFox now delays loading and running tracking Javascript, including Google's Analytics, until all other page elements have been downloaded. They claim this results in a better User Experience.

I'm not sure this is true.

I often find myself watching carefully until a web page completes loading before I can start typing.

[QUOTE=chalsall;475228]This might be relevant...

The latest FireFox now delays loading and running tracking Javascript, including Google's Analytics, until all other page elements have been downloaded. They claim this results in a better User Experience.

I'm not sure this is true.

I often find myself watching carefully until a web page completes loading before I can start typing.[/QUOTE]
I run NoScript, but I'm pretty liberal with permissions for places I visit really regularly. I guess this would likely not be significant, though, since the forum is fully whitelisted (if necessary) in the several defensive applications I run. Because I run both inline and multiple parallel protective services, I don't much mind shutting one down at need.

I have the feeling that MWBytes may be mostly redundant, as it rarely triggers, at least until this came along. Other app seem to catch most things sooner.

A real irritation these days is Fire fox reporting an invalid certificate for a site and refusing to go there. Switching to IE solves this, usually.

[QUOTE=kladner;475230]A real irritation these days is Fire fox reporting an invalid certificate for a site and refusing to go there. Switching to IE solves this, usually.[/QUOTE]

So, you trust M$ more than FF? Letting you access a site where all of your exchanges are in "plain text".

MersenneForum.org needs to step up, and move to SSL. Inexpensive, and easy.

[QUOTE=kladner;475230]A real irritation these days is Fire fox reporting an invalid certificate for a site and refusing to go there. Switching to IE solves this, usually.[/QUOTE]

There should be an option on the error screen. Last I checked it was hidden behind the text in the bottom left, but I don't use Firefox daily.

@chalsall: Trust M$ or FF? How about "neither?" I use what will get me the information I want.

@Mark: While some obstacles in FF allow exceptions, some say, "This site is configured to require a secure connection, so no exceptions are allowed." (more or less.)

[QUOTE=chalsall;475231]So, you trust M$ more than FF? Letting you access a site where all of your exchanges are in "plain text".

MersenneForum.org needs to step up, and move to SSL. Inexpensive, and easy.[/QUOTE]

eg [url]https://letsencrypt.org/[/url]

[QUOTE=kladner;475295]@Mark: While some obstacles in FF allow exceptions, some say, "This site is configured to require a secure connection, so no exceptions are allowed." (more or less.)[/QUOTE]

Gotcha. I haven't come across a site using HSTS with a misconfigured certificate in Firefox yet.