Moving to a new computer is a pain. You can sync bookmarks and export some data, but it's almost like starting over again. I'm Tom Merritt from CNET.com with a fix for you.
Jessica Dolcourt from CNET Download tipped us off to the Weave plug-in. Weave syncs your bookmarks, search queries, passwords, and even open tabs and then encrypts the data on Mozilla's servers.
This can save a lot of time when your setting up a new computer or if you browse the Web on more than one computer.
Here's how to get it.
If you're not comfortable with beta version software, you may want to wait on this. Because you need to run the latest beta version of Firefox. Go to www.mozilla.com/firefox/all-beta.html to download the current version.
Install that browser, then go to labs.mozilla.com/projects/weave/ and download and install the Weave add-on.
Once you've restarted the browser, choose Tools then Weave then sign-in.
You'll need to accept the terms of service.
If this is the second browser you're setting up, choose set up another computer. For your first browser, you choose Get Started with Weave.
Then you'll enter a username and password for your account AND a separate passphrase for the encryption on Mozilla's servers. Don't forget that one or you're kind of screwed.
You'll be challenged to figure out one of those crazy spam-preventing Captchas
Once you successfully clear that hurdle, you need to tell Mozilla which computer this browser is on and what kind of computer it is. Here you can choose what things you want backed up.
The first sync will happen and then you're done. You can tweak your preferences in the tools menu under Weave. As you can see new data types to be backed up appear to be planned for the future.
After that, you just go to any other computers you want synced, and set up Weave on them. The process will be similar. You'll need to remember your username and password.
Weave will get even cooler when Firefox's mobile applications come out. You'll be able to sync your phone's Mozilla to your computer as well.
Hope this helps reduce a little browser frustration for you. I'm Tom Merritt, CNET.com
