272858 - Thunderbird extensions should be served with download MIME type

Status: RESOLVED WONTFIX

(addons.mozilla.org Graveyard :: Public Pages, defect)

Description

[Jens Bannmann]

It's too complicated for the average non-tech user to follow the current
"right-click, choose save as to download" steps. The user sees a "Download Now"
button, and he *will* right-click it intuitively, only to see an install prompt
in Firefox/Mozilla that won't work.

I suggest serving Thunderbird extensions with the application/octet-stream MIME
type, as that will bypass the XPInstall hooks and let the browser proceed to the
download routines.

Comment 1

[Wolf [:wolf]]

I'm sure this is a dupe. The Update server does not handle the XPIs, and has no
way to send custom mimetypes without channeling downloads through it, which is a
waste of bandwdith. the FTP mirrors can't be configured to do two different
things with TB vs. FX xpis, as they're both .xpi.

The XPInstall hooks are simply unavoidable, and since Thunderbird doesn't
provide a way to contact it from your browser, or a way to browse Update. The
status quo remains. However sucky as it may be.

--> wontfix (though it really should be cantfix. heh)