OverbiteWX

Re-enables the Gopher protocol in Firefox 56 and above, allowing you to enter Gopher URLs and click on Gopher links. Because WebExtensions does not yet have a TCP sockets API, this version redirects your requests to the Floodgap Public Gopher Proxy.

OverbiteWX: Re-enabling Gopher Protocol for Firefox

OverbiteWX is a Firefox add-on designed to allow access to Gopher URLs and Gopher protocol links in Firefox 56 and above. Due to lacking TCP sockets API in WebExtensions, it redirects requests to the Floodgap Public Gopher Proxy. Its development awaits for completion of WebExtensions API in future versions of Firefox to restore direct connections to Gopher servers.

Add-on stats

Users: 1,291
-10
Rating: 4.94
(16)
Version: 0.4.2resigned1 (Last updated: 2024-04-25)
Creation date: 2017-07-25
Weekly download count: 14
Firefox on Android: Yes
Risk impact: Moderate risk impact
Risk likelihood:
Manifest version: 2
Permissions:
  • tabs
Size: 9.28K
URLs: Website

Other platforms

Not available on Chrome
Not available on Android
Not available on Edge
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Add-on summary

OverbiteWX is a successor to our previous addon OverbiteFF, allowing access to Gopher URLs and Gopher protocol links, but using WebExtensions-compatible APIs.

OverbiteWX currently cannot directly connect to Gopher servers because WebExtensions does not implement a TCP sockets API (see bug 1247628). In this version, your requests are sent to the Floodgap Public Gopher Proxy, which converts the Gopher menu and documents to HTML and HTTP. Future versions will allow a choice of proxy, and eventually restore direct connections to Gopher servers when the API is finally available from Mozilla. Thanks for your patience and indulgence while we wait for WebExtensions to become more useful and complete for the next generation of Firefox addons.

NEW: If you would like to try an experimental Gopher add-on allowing direct connection to Gopher servers using a native component, try our experimental companion add-on, OverbiteNX. OverbiteNX requires a separate open-source component be installed on your computer. OverbiteWX will only use supported WebExtensions APIs.

To set up OverbiteWX:

  • Install the addon.
  • Enter any Gopher URL or click any Gopher link starting with gopher://
  • Firefox will pop up a window saying you must select an application to view that link. OverbiteWX will be in the list. Select it, check the box to remember this choice if you desire (strongly recommended, or you will get this window every time), and click Open Link.
  • The Gopher site you have selected will be rendered by the Floodgap Gopher proxy.
You can always choose another Gopher handler from Preferences, Applications. If you uninstall OverbiteWX, you will be asked to choose a new Gopher handler on the next Gopher site you visit.

Thanks for using OverbiteWX!

User reviews

These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews. Firefox Browser Add-ons does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate, spammy, or outdated.
Pros
  • Works flawlessly with the latest Firefox version
  • Brings back the gopher protocol to Firefox
  • Only way to access the Gopher section of the internet
Cons
  • Dependency on Firefox WebExtensions API
Most mentioned
  • Gopher protocol
  • Firefox
  • WebExtensions API
User reviews
欢迎光临翻墙部落! 打开天窗,听听外面的声音! 穿越迷雾,寻找人生真谛! https://github.com/osurf/jzdy/blob/master/README.md?
by 翻墙部落, 2022-12-27
View all user reviews

Add-on safety

Risk impact

OverbiteWX requires a few sensitive permissions. Exercise caution before installing.

Risk likelihood

OverbiteWX is probably trust-worthy. Prefer other publishers if available. Exercise caution when installing this add-on.

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