RoBoForm vs. Foxmarks
Like most long time Firefox users, I used the built in Password/Master Password option along with Foxmarks Bookmarks Synchronizer. Every time I login, Foxmark’s Auto sync kicks in, and I need to enter the Firefox master password. That’s great for restoring Bookmarks after an install of Firefox. But say I’m at work, or at a friends. Here are some of the things I don’t like:
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Have to install the add-on to the local browser, wherever you are.
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Have to download sync your bookmarks and passwords locally, then delete everything when your done.
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Have to Configure separate profiles for work, home, etc., if I don’t want some things downloaded.
What about my passwords? Foxmarks with the optional password sync and PIN is encrypted, seems pretty secure, but I just can’t imagine uploading my passwords to the internet under any circumstances. And (for security reasons) I cant see them anywhere on their servers. If I delete them, are they really gone?
The RoBoForm Suite ( RoBoFom, RoBoForm2Go, and GoodSync ) is an excellent alternative. Here’s why. RoBoForm (primary standalone application) is installed on your local system, along with GoodSync. RoBoForm2Go is installed on your Flash Drive. GoodSync keeps the two synchronized. I import my existing passwords (with associated Bookmarks) from Firefox, and thats it.
Now wherever I go, I simply plug in my Flash Drive, run RoBoForm2Go, and attach to whatever browser I’m using for that session. When I’m finished, remove the Flash, and everything’s gone. Anything new I add, I can Sync when I get home. I save regular bulk Bookmarks with Foxmarks, Passwords (with Bookmarks) using RoboForm.
Just like Firefox, RoBoForm Prompts you to save a Password with its associated Bookmark. Unlike Firefox:
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The passwords are encrypted locally, with AES by default.
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You can “Fill & Submit” with the click of a button, or directly from a stored Bookmark. You can do the same with preset Forms.
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Many other Features
RoBoForm toolbar on Firefox….
RoBoForm also attaches itself to Browsers used inside other applications. For example, I use RSSOwl and its internal browser for my news feeds (likely a connection to IE). Some of my feeds are Forums and Blogs where I am a member. Using the RoBoForm icon in your System Tray, go to the browsers option, look under -{Unattached Browsers}-, click on what you want it to attach to, for the session, without any kind of Extension or Add-on. A simple click, and my passwords are available in my news reader!
Attaching RoBoForm to the OWL News Reader Internal Browser….
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:25 pm
I’m curious–why not simply use http://my.foxmarks.com/ when you’re at a friend’s place? Installing the entire extension could cause commingling of your bookmarks with theirs, which mightn’t be so great.
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:00 pm
For ordinary bulk Bookmarks I agree with using the foxmarks website. So long as you don’t need the passwords to go with them. I also agree that installing the foxmarks extension on a friend’s computer and syncing would cause commingling.
My post is referring to Bookmarks that have Passwords. That I personally don’t like syncing my passwords to a server who knows where on the internet. The example is using RoBoForm2Go, which is installed on your flash, so there’s no installing on the local system at all. You just plug it in and that’s it, automatically connects to the browser for that session. You have all your passwords.
March 13th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
I think you’re missing a big weakness of Roboform.
For people who have multiple computers, say one if the office and a laptop in another room, it’s ridiculous to keep moving a flash drive around your house just to keep things sync’d.
For guest computers I see your point, but for multiple computers owned only by you Roboform is a real pain to sync.
March 13th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
ecards - Not recommending one or the other. I was talking about the cool things it does, from my point of view. Would be nice to have some of my more important passwords that are really complicated and hard to remember (with the associated Bookmark) encrypted, and available to me on a flash when I travel. That I don’t like syncing passwords (like my bank account) to some unknown server on the net, and trust a stranger for its safety. And the many other cool things it does, like connect to a Feed Reader that has a built in browser, but you can’t save Bookmarks or Passwords on it. Or the auto login feature, where you click on a saved Bookmark, it enters the User and Password for you, logging you directly in, solving a long known security vulnerability (Keystroke logging AKA keylogging, a method of capturing and recording user keystrokes).
Don’t take this personal, but the fact it doesn’t fit what your trying to do, doesn’t make it a big weakness. Wish Foxmarks worked on IE and the other browsers. It doesn’t (at the time of this reply, plans are that it will). RoBoForm does, connects to any browser. That’s important to me, being a beta tester on multiple browsers. Do I think Foxmarks has a “big weakness” because it can’t support IE? Considering IE is 75% of the browsers out there, maybe. But I don’t think I would call it that, cause it was built for Firefox users in the first place.
Maybe I just should have said - For your requirements, (and you use Firefox) use Foxmarks. I use it for the majority of Bookmarks, generic to multiple systems.
May 17th, 2009 at 1:23 am
As a former fan of Roboform, and a user of Foxmarks / Xmarks, I am currently using LastPass. Roboform is stubbornly anti-Mac, and Foxmarks changed their core concept when they changed to Xmarks. Lastpass is great, and they’re the last player standing.
May 17th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Agreed. The last version of Xmarks and the last version of RoboForm (badgering you to buy, setting limitations on free that render RoboForm next to useless) has changed my opinion. Not going to remove this post, perhaps the comments will be useful. Will have a look at Lastpass, thanks for the tip.
March 8th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
LastPass looks promising. Used to have RoboForm but recently bought MAC and I was so upset when found out RoboFrom doesn’t support MAC. But now I like more with LastPass, $1/month for premium seems great $ to support them.