Is there any privacy issue in updating search engines?
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If you look at the package helper for Abrowser, (Precisely at https://devel.trisquel.info/aklis/package-helpers/blob/19986870ff5da83f3d92ba35e9ebbfeb9cb3ea9a/helpers/DATA/firefox/settings.js @lines 142 and 143.) autoupdation of search engines are disabled.
This means the user won't get the latest search results (if any, the updated search engine has included), unless (s)he edits the configuration editor of web browsers.
Can anybody explain me why this feature is turned off? I am seeing it something related to user privacy/freedom in the respective documentation.
Please keep in mind the fact that Richard Stallman does not regard Search Engines as SaaSS when you comment on the topic.
This means the user won't get the latest search results (if any, the updated search engine has included), unless (s)he edits the configuration editor of web browsers.
No, it does not. It means the browser will not "automatically check for updates to search plugins": http://kb.mozillazine.org/About:config_entries#Browser.
The search plugins are what populates your search bar: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Search_Bar
Whatever you write in it is sent to the related search engine that is constantly updated.
I am a translator!
exactly..
Thank you, Magic Banana and SuperTramp83.
I was a bit confused with the term Do not autoupdate search engines in the file. This is the first time I am hearing about search plugins.
Now I can understand why the author (Perhaps, aklis.) disabled it.
Search plugins are great. Many pages with a search field relate to a search plugin that can be added to the search bar. For instance, you can visit http://www.openstreetmap.org and add the related search plugin by clicking on the arrow at the left of the search bar and choose "Add OpenStreetMap search". Afterwards, you need not load http://www.openstreetmap.org to make a search on this site anymore. You can directly search OpenStreetMap from the search bar.
Openstreetmap plugin is useful but it has one weakness - it uses http connection by defaut. It is always better to use the secure connection when available. You can fix this by using the following instructions.
- Close IceCat
- Open the configuration file $HOME/.mozilla/icecat/xxxxxxxx.default/searchplugins/openstreetmap.xml by using a text editor and replace http with https on row 6.
- Start IceCat and test Openstreetmap plugin again
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