I miss all of the usability, security, and aesthetic features my extensions provided, but Firefox does feel a little snappier now.

Alan Baxter wrote: I don't recommend using extensions to non-technical users. By far the most prevalent internet-related computer security problems aren't addressed by any of them, including NoScript, and they tend to make Firefox less reliable. Mom and my friend find it perfectly usable without even changing any of the settings.
Grumpy Old Lady wrote:Alan Baxter wrote: I don't recommend using extensions to non-technical users. By far the most prevalent internet-related computer security problems aren't addressed by any of them, including NoScript, and they tend to make Firefox less reliable. Mom and my friend find it perfectly usable without even changing any of the settings.
There's nothing unstable at all about a NS-only Fx in my experience.
Your assumption about the prevalence of JS net security problems could be influenced by the very careful don't tell policy of banks and government in general about individual account misappropriation and identity fraud. And by the situation that many novice net users end up with - ie a 'slow internets' that they put up with for their small amount of browsing and email, rather than paying for professional help; all the while they are online their machine is doing dutiful bot work.
A NS with 'allow globally' and the default system ABE LOCAL is really essential Fx for those who have no clue what to trust or what to navigate with.
I encourage all the novices I know to install NS; I can only remember one who had problems. They used yahoo for business.
On the other hand, I advise novices to choose file scanning applications that are fully supported, preferably with a phone help desk.
Alan Baxter wrote: ....Extensions! I continue to think a vanilla Firefox without extensions provides the most trouble-free experience....
helping many people
But it does make for "Firefox isn't working right" scenarios, and not just ones caused by extension conflicts.
and I read that as less predictable; less workable. My choice of "unstable" was perhaps unfortunate.makes Firefox less reliable
I continue to think a vanilla Firefox without extensions provides the most trouble-free experience.
By far the most prevalent internet-related computer security problems aren't addressed by any of them, including NoScript
My assumption is that the majority of systems are compromised by people downloading and installing malware on their systems, not by XSS attacks that exploit an unpatched system. I suppose they're often tricked into it. I suspect most problems are introduced through social engineering techniques, not by ones that NS can prevent.
Grumpy Old Lady wrote:the ones I recommend NS to are the ones who've already been shafted by this or that compromise and who are making a start with Fx.
Yes, I mean "anti-virus" apps with resident scanners. They work for many, and stuff around with many others. I hate trouble-shooting them.
Alan Baxter wrote:...I'm afraid I've been a techie far too long to understand what it's like for a normal user...