finalize 60

pros and cons: see https://github.com/ghacksuserjs/ghacks-user.js/issues/422#issuecomment-392789507 + follow-up comments

.gitattributes

@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+## * text=auto
+
+*.js text=auto
+*.md text=auto
+*.yml text=auto
+*.txt text=auto
+*.sh text=auto
+*.bat eol=crlf
+
+*.png binary
+
+.gitattributes export-ignore
+*.yml export-ignore
+wikipiki export-ignore

.travis.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+language: node_js
+node_js:
+  - "node"
+before_script:
+  - npm install -g acorn
+script:
+  - acorn user.js

README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+### ![](https://github.com/ghacksuserjs/ghacks-user.js/blob/master/wikipiki/bullet01.png) user.js
+A `user.js` is a configuration file that can control hundreds of Firefox settings. For a more technical breakdown and explanation, you can read more on the [overview](https://github.com/ghacksuserjs/ghacks-user.js/wiki/1.1-Overview) wiki page.
+
+### ![](https://github.com/ghacksuserjs/ghacks-user.js/blob/master/wikipiki/bullet01.png) ghacks user.js
+The `ghacks user.js` is a **template**, which, as provided, aims to provide as much privacy and enhanced security as possible, and to reduce tracking and fingerprinting as much as possible - while minimizing any loss of functionality and breakage (but it will happen).
+
+Everyone, experts included, should at least read the [implementation](https://github.com/ghacksuserjs/ghacks-user.js/wiki/1.3-Implementation) wiki page, as it contains important information regarding a few `ghacks user.js` settings.
+
+Sitemap: [Releases](https://github.com/ghacksuserjs/ghacks-user.js/releases), [changelogs](https://github.com/ghacksuserjs/ghacks-user.js/issues?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=is%3Aissue+label%3Achangelog), [Wiki](https://github.com/ghacksuserjs/ghacks-user.js/wiki), [stickies](https://github.com/ghacksuserjs/ghacks-user.js/issues?q=is%3Aissue+is%3Aopen+label%3A%22sticky+topic%22). [diffs](https://github.com/ghacksuserjs/ghacks-user.js/issues?q=is%3Aissue+label%3Adiffs)
+
+### ![](https://github.com/ghacksuserjs/ghacks-user.js/blob/master/wikipiki/bullet01.png) acknowledgments
+Literally thousands of sources, references and suggestions. That said...
+
+* Martin Brinkmann at [ghacks](https://www.ghacks.net/) <sup>1</sup>
+* The ghacks community and commentators
+* [12bytes](http://12bytes.org/tech/firefox/firefoxgecko-configuration-guide-for-privacy-and-performance-buffs)
+   * The 12bytes article now uses this user.js and supplements it with an additonal JS hosted right [here](https://github.com/atomGit/Firefox-user.js) at github
+
+<sup>1</sup> The ghacks user.js was an independent project by [Thorin-Oakenpants](https://github.com/Thorin-Oakenpants) started in early 2015 and was [first published](https://www.ghacks.net/2015/08/18/a-comprehensive-list-of-firefox-privacy-and-security-settings/) at ghacks in August 2015. With Martin Brinkmann's blessing, it will keep the ghacks name.
+
+### ![](https://github.com/ghacksuserjs/ghacks-user.js/blob/master/wikipiki/bullet01.png) [![License: MIT](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-MIT-yellow.svg)](https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT)

_config.yml

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+theme: jekyll-theme-midnight

prefsCleaner.bat

@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+@ECHO OFF & SETLOCAL DisableDelayedExpansion
+TITLE prefs.js cleaner
+
+REM ### prefs.js cleaner for Windows
+REM ## author: @claustromaniac
+REM ## version: 2.1
+
+:begin
+ECHO:
+ECHO:
+ECHO                 ########################################
+ECHO                 ####  prefs.js cleaner for Windows  ####
+ECHO                 ####        by claustromaniac       ####
+ECHO                 ####              v2.1              ####
+ECHO                 ########################################
+ECHO:
+CALL :message "This script should be run from your Firefox profile directory."
+ECHO   It will remove any entries from prefs.js that also exist in user.js.
+CALL :message "This will allow inactive preferences to be reset to their default values."
+ECHO   This Firefox profile shouldn't be in use during the process.
+CALL :message ""
+TIMEOUT 1 /nobreak >nul
+CHOICE /C SHE /N /M "Start [S] Help [H] Exit [E]"
+CLS
+IF ERRORLEVEL 3 (EXIT /B)
+IF ERRORLEVEL 2 (GOTO :showhelp)
+IF NOT EXIST "user.js" (CALL :abort "user.js not found in the current directory." 30)
+IF NOT EXIST "prefs.js" (CALL :abort "prefs.js not found in the current directory." 30)
+CALL :FFcheck
+CALL :message "Backing up prefs.js..."
+SET "_time=%time: =0%"
+COPY /B /V /Y prefs.js "prefs-backup-%date:/=-%_%_time::=.%.js"
+CALL :message "Cleaning prefs.js..."
+CALL :cleanup
+CALL :message "All done!"
+TIMEOUT 5 >nul
+ENDLOCAL
+EXIT /B
+
+REM ########## Abort Function ###########
+:abort
+CALL :message %1
+TIMEOUT %~2 >nul
+EXIT
+REM ########## Message Function #########
+:message
+ECHO:
+ECHO:  %~1
+ECHO:
+GOTO :EOF
+REM ####### Firefox Check Function ######
+:FFcheck
+TASKLIST /FI "IMAGENAME eq firefox.exe" 2>NUL | FIND /I /N "firefox.exe">NUL
+IF NOT ERRORLEVEL 1 (
+	CLS
+	CALL :message "Firefox is still running."
+	ECHO   If you're not currently using this profile you can continue, otherwise
+	CALL :message "close Firefox first!"
+	ECHO:
+	PAUSE
+	CLS
+	CALL :message "Resuming..."
+	TIMEOUT 5 /nobreak >nul
+)
+GOTO :EOF
+REM ######### Cleanup Function ##########
+:cleanup
+FOR /F tokens^=2^ delims^=^'^" %%G IN ('FINDSTR /R /C:"^[^\"']*user_pref[ 	]*\([ 	]*[\"'][^\"']*[\"'][ 	]*," user.js') DO (
+	IF NOT ""=="%%G" (SET "[%%G]=1")
+)
+(
+	FOR /F "tokens=1,* delims=:" %%G IN ('FINDSTR /N "^" prefs.js') DO (
+		IF ""=="%%H" (
+			ECHO:
+		) ELSE (
+			FOR /F tokens^=1^,2^ delims^=^"^' %%I IN ("%%H") DO (
+				IF NOT DEFINED [%%J] (ECHO:%%H)
+			)
+		)
+	)
+)>tempcleanedprefs
+MOVE /Y tempcleanedprefs prefs.js
+GOTO :EOF
+REM ############### Help ##################
+:showhelp
+MODE 80,34
+CLS
+CALL :message "This script creates a backup of your prefs.js file before doing anything."
+ECHO   It should be safe, but you can follow these steps if something goes wrong:
+ECHO:
+CALL :message "  1. Make sure Firefox is closed."
+ECHO     2. Delete prefs.js in your profile folder.
+CALL :message "  3. Delete Invalidprefs.js if you have one in the same folder."
+ECHO     4. Rename or copy your latest backup to prefs.js.
+CALL :message "  5. Run Firefox and see if you notice anything wrong with it."
+ECHO     6. If you do notice something wrong, especially with your extensions,
+CALL :message "     and/or with the UI, go to about:support, and restart Firefox with"
+ECHO        add-ons disabled. Then, restart it again normally, and see if the
+CALL :message "     problems were solved."
+ECHO:
+CALL :message "If you are able to identify the cause of your issues, please bring it up"
+ECHO   on ghacks-user.js GitHub repository.
+ECHO:
+ECHO:
+PAUSE
+CLS
+GOTO :begin
+REM #####################################

prefsCleaner.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,99 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+
+## prefs.js cleaner for Linux/Mac
+## author: @claustromaniac
+## version: 1.1
+
+## special thanks to @overdodactyl and @earthlng for a few snippets that I stol..*cough* borrowed from the updater.sh
+
+currdir=$(pwd)
+
+## get the full path of this script (readlink for Linux, greadlink for Mac with coreutils installed)
+sfp=$(readlink -f "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}" 2>/dev/null || greadlink -f "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}" 2>/dev/null)
+
+## fallback for Macs without coreutils
+if [ -z "$sfp" ]; then sfp=${BASH_SOURCE[0]}; fi
+
+## change directory to the Firefox profile directory
+cd "$(dirname "${sfp}")"
+
+fQuit() {
+	## change directory back to the original working directory
+	cd "${currdir}"
+	echo -e "\n$2"
+	exit $1
+}
+
+fFF_check() {
+	# there are many ways to see if firefox is running or not, some more reliable than others
+	# this isn't elegant and might not be future-proof but should at least be compatible with any environment
+	while [ -e webappsstore.sqlite-shm ]; do
+		echo -e "\nThis Firefox profile seems to be in use. Close Firefox and try again.\n"
+		read -p "Press any key to continue."
+	done
+}
+
+fClean() {
+	# the magic happens here
+	prefs="@@"
+	prefexp="user_pref[ 	]*\([ 	]*[\"']([^\"']+)[\"'][ 	]*,"
+	while read -r line; do
+		if [[ "$line" =~ $prefexp && $prefs != *"@@${BASH_REMATCH[1]}@@"* ]]; then
+			prefs="${prefs}${BASH_REMATCH[1]}@@"
+		fi
+	done <<< "`grep -E \"$prefexp\" user.js`"
+
+	while IFS='' read -r line || [[ -n "$line" ]]; do
+		if [[ "$line" =~ ^$prefexp ]]; then
+			if [[ $prefs != *"@@${BASH_REMATCH[1]}@@"* ]]; then
+				echo "$line"
+			fi
+		else
+			echo "$line"
+		fi
+	done < "$1" > prefs.js
+}
+
+echo -e "\n\n"
+echo "                   ╔══════════════════════════╗"
+echo "                   ║     prefs.js cleaner     ║"
+echo "                   ║    by claustromaniac     ║"
+echo "                   ║           v1.1           ║"
+echo "                   ╚══════════════════════════╝"
+echo -e "\nThis script should be run from your Firefox profile directory.\n"
+echo "It will remove any entries from prefs.js that also exist in user.js."
+echo "This will allow inactive preferences to be reset to their default values."
+echo -e "\nThis Firefox profile shouldn't be in use during the process.\n"
+select option in Start Help Exit; do
+	case $option in
+		Start)
+			if [ ! -e user.js ]; then
+				fQuit 1 "user.js not found in the current directory."
+			elif [ ! -e prefs.js ]; then
+				fQuit 1 "prefs.js not found in the current directory."
+			fi
+
+			fFF_check
+			bakfile="prefs.js.backup.$(date +"%Y-%m-%d_%H%M")"
+			mv prefs.js "${bakfile}" || fQuit 1 "Operation aborted.\nReason: Could not create backup file $bakfile"
+			echo -e "\nprefs.js backed up: $bakfile"
+			echo "Cleaning prefs.js..."
+			fClean "$bakfile"
+			fQuit 0 "All done!"
+			;;
+		Help)
+			echo -e "\nThis script creates a backup of your prefs.js file before doing anything."
+			echo -e "It should be safe, but you can follow these steps if something goes wrong:\n"
+			echo "1. Make sure Firefox is closed."
+			echo "2. Delete prefs.js in your profile folder."
+			echo "3. Delete Invalidprefs.js if you have one in the same folder."
+			echo "4. Rename or copy your latest backup to prefs.js."
+			echo "5. Run Firefox and see if you notice anything wrong with it."
+			echo "6. If you do notice something wrong, especially with your extensions, and/or with the UI, go to about:support, and restart Firefox with add-ons disabled. Then, restart it again normally, and see if the problems were solved."
+			echo -e "If you are able to identify the cause of your issues, please bring it up on ghacks-user.js GitHub repository.\n"
+			;;
+		Exit)
+			fQuit 0
+			;;
+	esac
+done

scratchpad-scripts/ghacks-clear-FF60inclusive-[RFP-alternatives].js

@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+/***
+ This will reset the preferences that are under sections 4600 & 4700 in the ghacks user.js
+ up to and including release 60-beta. These are the prefs that are no longer necessary,
+ or they conflict with, privacy.resistFingerprinting if you have that enabled.
+
+ For instructions see:
+ https://github.com/ghacksuserjs/ghacks-user.js/wiki/3.1-Resetting-Inactive-Prefs-[Scripts]
+***/
+ 
+(function() {
+  let ops = [
+    /* section 4600 */
+    'dom.maxHardwareConcurrency',
+    'dom.enable_resource_timing',
+    'dom.enable_performance',
+    'device.sensors.enabled',
+    'browser.zoom.siteSpecific',
+    'dom.gamepad.enabled',
+    'dom.netinfo.enabled',
+    'media.webspeech.synth.enabled',
+    'media.video_stats.enabled',
+    'dom.w3c_touch_events.enabled',
+    'media.ondevicechange.enabled',
+    'webgl.enable-debug-renderer-info',
+    /* section 4700 */
+    'general.useragent.override',
+    'general.buildID.override',
+    'general.appname.override',
+    'general.appversion.override',
+    'general.platform.override',
+    'general.oscpu.override',
+    /* reset parrot: check your open about:config after running the script */
+    '_user.js.parrot'
+  ]
+
+  if("undefined" === typeof(Services)) {
+    alert("about:config needs to be the active tab!");
+    return;
+  }
+  
+  let c = 0;
+  for (let i = 0, len = ops.length; i < len; i++) {
+    if (Services.prefs.prefHasUserValue(ops[i])) {   
+      Services.prefs.clearUserPref(ops[i]);
+      if (!Services.prefs.prefHasUserValue(ops[i])) {
+        console.log("reset", ops[i]);
+        c++;
+      } else { console.log("failed to reset", ops[i]); }
+    }
+  }
+  
+  focus();
+  
+  let d = (c==1) ? " pref" : " prefs";
+  if (c > 0) {
+    alert("successfully reset " + c + d + "\n\nfor details check the Browser Console (Ctrl+Shift+J)");
+  } else { alert("nothing to reset"); }
+  
+})();

scratchpad-scripts/ghacks-clear-FF60inclusive-[deprecated].js

@@ -0,0 +1,188 @@
+/***
+ This will reset the preferences that have been deprecated by Mozilla
+ and used in the ghacks user.js up to and including release 60-beta
+
+ It is in reverse order, so feel free to remove sections that do not apply
+
+ For instructions see:
+ https://github.com/ghacksuserjs/ghacks-user.js/wiki/3.1-Resetting-Inactive-Prefs-[Scripts]
+***/
+
+(function() {
+  let ops = [
+    /* deprecated */
+
+    /* ESR52.x users can remove sections 53-60 but it is not
+       crucial as your user.js will reinstate them */
+    /* 60 */
+    'browser.newtabpage.directory.source',
+    'browser.newtabpage.enhanced',
+    'browser.newtabpage.introShown',
+    'extensions.shield-recipe-client.enabled',
+    'extensions.shield-recipe-client.api_url',
+    'browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.enabled',
+    'dom.workers.enabled',
+    'view_source.tab',
+    /* 59 */
+    'intl.locale.matchOS',
+    'general.useragent.locale',
+    'datareporting.healthreport.about.reportUrl',
+    'dom.flyweb.enabled',
+    'security.mixed_content.use_hsts',
+    'security.mixed_content.send_hsts_priming',
+    'network.http.referer.userControlPolicy',
+    'security.xpconnect.plugin.unrestricted',
+    'media.getusermedia.screensharing.allowed_domains',
+    'camera.control.face_detection.enabled',
+    'dom.disable_window_status_change',
+    'dom.idle-observers-api.enabled',
+    /* 58 : nothing */
+    /* 57 */
+    'social.whitelist',
+    'social.toast-notifications.enabled',
+    'social.shareDirectory',
+    'social.remote-install.enabled',
+    'social.directories',
+    'social.share.activationPanelEnabled',
+    'social.enabled',
+    'media.eme.chromium-api.enabled',
+    'devtools.webide.autoinstallFxdtAdapters',
+    'browser.casting.enabled',
+    'browser.bookmarks.showRecentlyBookmarked',
+    /* 56 */
+    'extensions.screenshots.system-disabled',
+    'extensions.formautofill.experimental',
+    /* 55 */
+    'geo.security.allowinsecure',
+    'browser.selfsupport.enabled',
+    'browser.selfsupport.url',
+    'browser.newtabpage.directory.ping',
+    'browser.formfill.saveHttpsForms',
+    'browser.formautofill.enabled',
+    'dom.enable_user_timing',
+    'dom.keyboardevent.code.enabled',
+    'browser.tabs.animate',
+    'browser.fullscreen.animate',
+    /* 54 */
+    'browser.safebrowsing.reportMalwareMistakeURL',
+    'browser.safebrowsing.reportPhishMistakeURL',
+    'media.eme.apiVisible',
+    'dom.archivereader.enabled',
+    /* 53 */
+    'security.tls.unrestricted_rc4_fallback',
+    'plugin.scan.Acrobat',
+    'plugin.scan.Quicktime',
+    'plugin.scan.WindowsMediaPlayer',
+    'media.getusermedia.screensharing.allow_on_old_platforms',
+    'dom.beforeAfterKeyboardEvent.enabled',
+    /* End of ESR52.x section */
+
+    /* 52 */
+    'network.http.sendSecureXSiteReferrer',
+    'media.gmp-eme-adobe.enabled',
+    'media.gmp-eme-adobe.visible',
+    'media.gmp-eme-adobe.autoupdate',
+    'dom.telephony.enabled',
+    'dom.battery.enabled',
+    /* 51 */
+    'media.block-play-until-visible',
+    'dom.vr.oculus050.enabled',
+    'network.http.spdy.enabled.v3-1',
+    /* 50 */
+    'browser.usedOnWindows10.introURL',
+    'plugins.update.notifyUser',
+    'browser.safebrowsing.enabled',
+    'security.ssl3.ecdhe_ecdsa_rc4_128_sha',
+    'security.ssl3.ecdhe_rsa_rc4_128_sha',
+    'security.ssl3.rsa_rc4_128_md5',
+    'security.ssl3.rsa_rc4_128_sha',
+    'plugins.update.url',
+    /* 49 */
+    'loop.enabled',
+    'loop.server',
+    'loop.feedback.formURL',
+    'loop.feedback.manualFormURL',
+    'loop.facebook.appId',
+    'loop.facebook.enabled',
+    'loop.facebook.fallbackUrl',
+    'loop.facebook.shareUrl',
+    'loop.logDomains',
+    'dom.disable_window_open_feature.scrollbars',
+    'dom.push.udp.wakeupEnabled',
+    /* 48 */
+    'browser.urlbar.unifiedcomplete',
+    /* 47 */
+    'toolkit.telemetry.unifiedIsOptIn',
+    'datareporting.healthreport.about.reportUrlUnified',
+    'browser.history.allowPopState',
+    'browser.history.allowPushState',
+    'browser.history.allowReplaceState',
+    /* 46 */
+    'datareporting.healthreport.service.enabled',
+    'datareporting.healthreport.documentServerURI',
+    'datareporting.policy.dataSubmissionEnabled.v2',
+    'browser.safebrowsing.appRepURL',
+    'browser.polaris.enabled',
+    'browser.pocket.enabled',
+    'browser.pocket.api',
+    'browser.pocket.site',
+    'browser.pocket.oAuthConsumerKey',
+    /* 45 */
+    'browser.sessionstore.privacy_level_deferred',
+    /* 44 */
+    'browser.safebrowsing.provider.google.appRepURL',
+    'security.tls.insecure_fallback_hosts.use_static_list',
+    'dom.workers.sharedWorkers.enabled',
+    'dom.disable_image_src_set',
+    /* 43 */
+    'browser.safebrowsing.gethashURL',
+    'browser.safebrowsing.updateURL',
+    'browser.safebrowsing.malware.reportURL',
+    'browser.trackingprotection.gethashURL',
+    'browser.trackingprotection.updateURL',
+    'pfs.datasource.url',
+    'browser.search.showOneOffButtons',
+    /* 42 and earlier */
+    'privacy.clearOnShutdown.passwords', // 42
+    'full-screen-api.approval-required', // 42
+    'browser.safebrowsing.reportErrorURL', // 41
+    'browser.safebrowsing.reportGenericURL', // 41
+    'browser.safebrowsing.reportMalwareErrorURL', // 41
+    'browser.safebrowsing.reportMalwareURL', // 41
+    'browser.safebrowsing.reportURL', // 41
+    'plugins.enumerable_names', // 41
+    'network.http.spdy.enabled.http2draft', // 41
+    'camera.control.autofocus_moving_callback.enabled', // 37
+    'privacy.donottrackheader.value', // 36
+    'network.websocket.enabled', // 35
+    'dom.network.enabled', // 31
+    'pageThumbs.enabled', // 25
+
+    /* reset parrot: check your open about:config after running the script */
+    '_user.js.parrot'
+  ]
+
+  if("undefined" === typeof(Services)) {
+    alert("about:config needs to be the active tab!");
+    return;
+  }
+  
+  let c = 0;
+  for (let i = 0, len = ops.length; i < len; i++) {
+    if (Services.prefs.prefHasUserValue(ops[i])) {   
+      Services.prefs.clearUserPref(ops[i]);
+      if (!Services.prefs.prefHasUserValue(ops[i])) {
+        console.log("reset", ops[i]);
+        c++;
+      } else { console.log("failed to reset", ops[i]); }
+    }
+  }
+  
+  focus();
+  
+  let d = (c==1) ? " pref" : " prefs";
+  if (c > 0) {
+    alert("successfully reset " + c + d + "\n\nfor details check the Browser Console (Ctrl+Shift+J)");
+  } else { alert("nothing to reset"); }
+  
+})();

scratchpad-scripts/ghacks-clear-[removed].js

@@ -0,0 +1,127 @@
+/***
+ This will reset the preferences that have been removed completely from the ghacks user.js.
+
+ Last updated: 27-May-2018
+
+ For instructions see:
+ https://github.com/ghacksuserjs/ghacks-user.js/wiki/3.1-Resetting-Inactive-Prefs-[Scripts]
+***/
+ 
+(function() {
+  let ops = [
+    /* removed in ghacks user.js v52-57 */
+    /* 52-alpha */
+    'browser.search.reset.enabled',
+    'browser.search.reset.whitelist',
+    /* 54-alpha */
+    'browser.migrate.automigrate.enabled',
+    'services.sync.enabled',
+    'webextensions.storage.sync.enabled',
+    'webextensions.storage.sync.serverURL',
+    /* 55-alpha */
+    'dom.keyboardevent.dispatch_during_composition', // default is false anyway
+    'dom.vr.oculus.enabled', // covered by dom.vr.enabled
+    'dom.vr.openvr.enabled', // ditto
+    'dom.vr.osvr.enabled', // ditto
+    'extensions.pocket.api', // covered by extensions.pocket.enabled
+    'extensions.pocket.oAuthConsumerKey', // ditto
+    'extensions.pocket.site', // ditto
+    /* 56-alpha: none */
+    /* 57-alpha */
+    'geo.wifi.xhr.timeout', // covered by geo.enabled
+    'browser.search.geoip.timeout', // ditto
+    'media.webspeech.recognition.enable', // default is false anyway
+    'gfx.layerscope.enabled', // default is false anyway
+    /* 58-alpha */
+    //  excluding these e10 settings
+       // 'browser.tabs.remote.autostart',
+       // 'browser.tabs.remote.autostart.2',
+       // 'browser.tabs.remote.force-enable',
+       // 'browser.tabs.remote.separateFileUriProcess',
+       // 'extensions.e10sBlocksEnabling',
+       // 'extensions.webextensions.remote',
+       // 'dom.ipc.processCount',
+       // 'dom.ipc.shims.enabledWarnings',
+       // 'dom.ipc.processCount.extension',
+       // 'dom.ipc.processCount.file',
+       // 'security.sandbox.content.level',
+       // 'dom.ipc.plugins.sandbox-level.default',
+       // 'dom.ipc.plugins.sandbox-level.flash',
+       // 'security.sandbox.logging.enabled',
+    'dom.presentation.controller.enabled',
+    'dom.presentation.discoverable',
+    'dom.presentation.discovery.enabled',
+    'dom.presentation.enabled',
+    'dom.presentation.receiver.enabled',
+    'dom.presentation.session_transport.data_channel.enable',
+    /* 59-alpha */
+    'browser.stopReloadAnimation.enabled',
+    'browser.tabs.insertRelatedAfterCurrent',
+    'browser.tabs.loadDivertedInBackground',
+    'browser.tabs.loadInBackground',
+    'browser.tabs.selectOwnerOnClose',
+    'browser.urlbar.clickSelectsAll',
+    'browser.urlbar.doubleClickSelectsAll',
+    'media.flac.enabled',
+    'media.mediasource.enabled',
+    'media.mediasource.mp4.enabled',
+    'media.mediasource.webm.audio.enabled',
+    'media.mediasource.webm.enabled',
+    'media.mp4.enabled',
+    'media.ogg.enabled',
+    'media.ogg.flac.enabled',
+    'media.opus.enabled',
+    'media.raw.enabled',
+    'media.wave.enabled',
+    'media.webm.enabled',
+    'media.wmf.amd.vp9.enabled',
+    'media.wmf.enabled',
+    'media.wmf.vp9.enabled',
+    'ui.submenuDelay',
+    /* 60-beta - these were all at default anyway */
+    'device.storage.enabled',
+    'general.useragent.compatMode.firefox',
+    'network.dns.blockDotOnion',
+    'network.stricttransportsecurity.preloadlist',
+    'security.block_script_with_wrong_mime',
+    'security.fileuri.strict_origin_policy',
+    'security.sri.enable',
+    /* 61-beta */
+    'browser.laterrun.enabled',
+    'browser.offline-apps.notify',
+    'browser.rights.3.shown',
+    'browser.slowStartup.maxSamples'
+    'browser.slowStartup.notificationDisabled',
+    'browser.slowStartup.samples',
+    'dom.allow_scripts_to_close_windows',
+    'dom.disable_window_flip',
+    'network.http.fast-fallback-to-IPv4',
+    'offline-apps.quota.warn',
+    /* reset parrot: check your open about:config after running the script */
+    '_user.js.parrot'
+  ]
+
+  if("undefined" === typeof(Services)) {
+    alert("about:config needs to be the active tab!");
+    return;
+  }
+  
+  let c = 0;
+  for (let i = 0, len = ops.length; i < len; i++) {
+    if (Services.prefs.prefHasUserValue(ops[i])) {   
+      Services.prefs.clearUserPref(ops[i]);
+      if (!Services.prefs.prefHasUserValue(ops[i])) {
+        console.log("reset", ops[i]);
+        c++;
+      } else { console.log("failed to reset", ops[i]); }
+    }
+  }
+  
+  focus();
+  
+  let d = (c==1) ? " pref" : " prefs";
+  if (c > 0) {
+    alert("successfully reset " + c + d + "\n\nfor details check the Browser Console (Ctrl+Shift+J)");
+  } else { alert("nothing to reset"); }
+  
+})();

scratchpad-scripts/troubleshooter.js

@@ -0,0 +1,216 @@
+
+/*** ghacks-user.js troubleshooter.js v1.5 ***/
+
+(function() {
+
+  if("undefined" === typeof(Services)) {
+    alert("about:config needs to be the active tab!");
+    return;
+  }
+
+  function getMyList(arr) {
+    let aRet = [];
+    let dummy = 0;
+    for (let i = 0, len = arr.length; i < len; i++) {
+      if (Services.prefs.prefHasUserValue(arr[i])) {
+        dummy = Services.prefs.getPrefType(arr[i]);
+        switch (dummy) {
+          case 32: // string (see https://dxr.mozilla.org/mozilla-central/source/modules/libpref/nsIPrefBranch.idl#31)
+            dummy = Services.prefs.getCharPref(arr[i]);
+            aRet.push({'name':arr[i],'value': dummy,'type':32});
+            break;
+          case 64: // int
+            dummy = Services.prefs.getIntPref(arr[i]);
+            aRet.push({'name':arr[i],'value': dummy,'type':64});
+            break;
+          case 128: // boolean
+            dummy = Services.prefs.getBoolPref(arr[i]);
+            aRet.push({'name':arr[i],'value': dummy,'type':128});
+            break;
+          default:
+            console.log("error detecting pref-type for '"+arr[i]+"' !");
+        }
+      }
+    }
+    return aRet;
+  }
+
+  function reapply(arr) {
+    for (let i = 0, len = arr.length; i < len; i++) {
+      switch (arr[i].type) {
+        case 32: // string
+          Services.prefs.setCharPref(arr[i].name, arr[i].value);
+          break;
+        case 64: // int
+          Services.prefs.setIntPref(arr[i].name, arr[i].value);
+          break;
+        case 128: // boolean
+          Services.prefs.setBoolPref(arr[i].name, arr[i].value);
+          break;
+        default:
+          console.log("error re-appyling value for '"+arr[i].name+"' !"); // should never happen
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  function myreset(arr) {
+    for (let i = 0, len = arr.length; i < len; i++) {
+      Services.prefs.clearUserPref(arr[i].name);
+    }
+  }
+
+  let ops = [
+
+    /* known culprits */
+    'network.cookie.cookieBehavior',
+    'network.http.referer.XOriginPolicy',
+    'privacy.firstparty.isolate',
+    'privacy.resistFingerprinting',
+    'security.mixed_content.block_display_content',
+    'svg.disabled',
+
+    /* Storage + Cache */
+    'browser.cache.offline.enable',
+    'dom.indexedDB.enabled',
+    'dom.storage.enabled',
+    'browser.storageManager.enabled',
+    'dom.storageManager.enabled',
+
+    /* Workers, Web + Push Notifications */
+    'dom.caches.enabled',
+    'dom.push.connection.enabled',
+    'dom.push.enabled',
+    'dom.push.serverURL',
+    'dom.serviceWorkers.enabled',
+    'dom.workers.enabled',
+    'dom.webnotifications.enabled',
+    'dom.webnotifications.serviceworker.enabled',
+
+    /* Fonts */
+    'browser.display.use_document_fonts',
+    'font.blacklist.underline_offset',
+    'gfx.downloadable_fonts.woff2.enabled',
+    'gfx.font_rendering.graphite.enabled',
+    'gfx.font_rendering.opentype_svg.enabled',
+    'layout.css.font-loading-api.enabled',
+
+    /* Misc */
+    'browser.link.open_newwindow.restriction',
+    'canvas.capturestream.enabled',
+    'dom.event.clipboardevents.enabled',
+    'dom.event.contextmenu.enabled',
+    'dom.IntersectionObserver.enabled',
+    'dom.popup_allowed_events',
+    'full-screen-api.enabled',
+    'geo.wifi.uri',
+    'intl.accept_languages',
+    'javascript.options.asmjs',
+    'javascript.options.wasm',
+    'permissions.default.shortcuts',
+    'security.csp.experimentalEnabled',
+
+    /* Hardware */
+    'dom.vr.enabled',
+    'media.ondevicechange.enabled',
+
+    /* Audio + Video */
+    'dom.webaudio.enabled',
+    'media.autoplay.enabled',
+
+    /* Forms */
+    'browser.formfill.enable',
+    'signon.autofillForms',
+    'signon.formlessCapture.enabled',
+
+    /* HTTPS */
+    'security.cert_pinning.enforcement_level',
+    'security.family_safety.mode',
+    'security.mixed_content.use_hsts',
+    'security.OCSP.require',
+    'security.pki.sha1_enforcement_level',
+    'security.ssl.require_safe_negotiation',
+    'security.ssl.treat_unsafe_negotiation_as_broken',
+    'security.ssl3.dhe_rsa_aes_128_sha',
+    'security.ssl3.dhe_rsa_aes_256_sha',
+    'security.ssl3.ecdhe_ecdsa_aes_128_sha',
+    'security.ssl3.ecdhe_rsa_aes_128_sha',
+    'security.ssl3.rsa_aes_128_sha',
+    'security.ssl3.rsa_aes_256_sha',
+    'security.ssl3.rsa_des_ede3_sha',
+    'security.tls.enable_0rtt_data',
+    'security.tls.version.max',
+    'security.tls.version.min',
+
+    /* Plugins + Flash */
+    'plugin.default.state',
+    'plugin.defaultXpi.state',
+    'plugin.sessionPermissionNow.intervalInMinutes',
+    'plugin.state.flash',
+
+    /* unlikely to cause problems */
+    'browser.tabs.remote.allowLinkedWebInFileUriProcess',
+    'dom.popup_maximum',
+    'layout.css.visited_links_enabled',
+    'mathml.disabled',
+    'network.auth.subresource-img-cross-origin-http-auth-allow',
+    'network.http.redirection-limit',
+    'network.protocol-handler.external.ms-windows-store',
+    'privacy.trackingprotection.enabled',
+    'security.data_uri.block_toplevel_data_uri_navigations',
+
+    'last.one.without.comma'
+  ]
+
+
+  // reset prefs that set the same value as FFs default value
+  let aTEMP = getMyList(ops);
+  myreset(aTEMP);
+  reapply(aTEMP);
+
+  const aBACKUP = getMyList(ops);
+  //console.log(aBACKUP.length, "user-set prefs from our list detected and their values stored.");
+
+  let myArr = aBACKUP;
+  let found = false;
+  let aDbg = [];
+  focus();
+  myreset(aBACKUP); // reset all detected prefs
+  if (confirm("all detected prefs reset.\n\n!! KEEP THIS PROMPT OPEN AND TEST THE SITE IN ANOTHER TAB !!\n\nIF the problem still exists, this script can't help you - click cancel to re-apply your values and exit.\n\nClick OK if your problem is fixed.")) {
+    aDbg = myArr;
+    reapply(aBACKUP);
+    myreset(myArr.slice(0, parseInt(myArr.length/2)));
+    while (myArr.length >= 2) {
+      alert("NOW TEST AGAIN !");
+      if (confirm("if the problem still exists click OK, otherwise click cancel.")) {
+        myArr = myArr.slice(parseInt(myArr.length/2));
+        if (myArr.length == 1) {
+          alert("The problem is caused by more than 1 pref !\n\nNarrowed it down to "+ aDbg.length.toString() +" prefs, check the console ...");
+          break;
+        }
+      } else {
+        myArr = myArr.slice(0, parseInt(myArr.length/2));
+        aDbg = myArr;
+        if (myArr.length == 1) { found = true; break; }
+      }
+      reapply(aBACKUP);
+      myreset(myArr.slice(0, parseInt(myArr.length/2))); // reset half of the remaining prefs
+    }
+    reapply(aBACKUP);
+  }
+  else {
+    reapply(aBACKUP);
+    return;
+  }
+
+  if (found) {
+    alert("narrowed it down to:\n\n"+myArr[0].name+"\n");
+    myreset(myArr); // reset the culprit
+  }
+  else {
+    console.log("the problem is caused by a combination of the following prefs:");
+    for (let i = 0, len = aDbg.length; i < len; i++) {
+      console.log(aDbg[i].name);
+    }
+  }
+
+})();

updater.bat

@@ -0,0 +1,263 @@
+@ECHO OFF & SETLOCAL EnableDelayedExpansion
+TITLE ghacks user.js updater
+
+REM ## ghacks-user.js updater for Windows
+REM ## author: @claustromaniac
+REM ## version: 4.5
+REM ## instructions: https://github.com/ghacksuserjs/ghacks-user.js/wiki/3.3-Updater-Scripts
+
+SET _myname=%~n0
+SET _myparams=%*
+:parse
+IF "%~1"=="" (GOTO endparse)
+IF /I "%~1"=="-unattended" (SET _ua=1)
+IF /I "%~1"=="-log" (SET _log=1)
+IF /I "%~1"=="-logp" (SET _log=1 & SET _logp=1)
+IF /I "%~1"=="-multioverrides" (SET _multi=1)
+IF /I "%~1"=="-merge" (SET _merge=1)
+IF /I "%~1"=="-updatebatch" (SET _updateb=1)
+IF /I "%~1"=="-singlebackup" (SET _singlebackup=1)
+SHIFT
+GOTO parse
+:endparse
+IF DEFINED _updateb (
+	REM The normal flow here goes from phase 1 to phase 2 and then phase 3.
+	IF NOT "!_myname:~0,9!"=="[updated]" (
+		IF EXIST "[updated]!_myname!.bat" (
+			REM ## Phase 3 ##: The new script, with the original name, will:
+			REM 	* Delete the [updated]*.bat script
+			REM 	* Begin the normal routine
+			REN "[updated]!_myname!.bat" "[updated]!_myname!.bat.old"
+			DEL /F "[updated]!_myname!.bat.old"
+			CALL :message "Script updated^!"
+			TIMEOUT 3 >nul
+			GOTO begin
+		)
+		REM ## Phase 1 ##
+		REM 	* Download new batch and name it [updated]*.bat
+		REM 	* Start that script in a new CMD window
+		REM 	* Exit
+		CALL :message "Updating script..."
+		REM Uncomment the next line and comment the powershell call for testing.
+		REM COPY /B /V /Y "!_myname!.bat" "[updated]!_myname!.bat"
+		(
+			powershell -Command "(New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadFile('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ghacksuserjs/ghacks-user.js/master/updater.bat', '[updated]!_myname!.bat')"
+		) >nul 2>&1
+		IF EXIST "[updated]!_myname!.bat" (
+			START /min CMD /C "[updated]!_myname!.bat" !_myparams!
+		) ELSE (
+			CALL :message "Failed. Make sure PowerShell is allowed internet access."
+			TIMEOUT 120 >nul
+		)
+	) ELSE (
+		IF "!_myname!"=="[updated]" (
+			CALL :message "The [updated] label is reserved. Rename this script and try again."
+			TIMEOUT 300 >nul
+		) ELSE (
+			REM ## Phase 2 ##: The [updated]*.bat script will:
+			REM 	* Copy itself overwriting the original batch
+			REM 	* Start that script in a new CMD instance
+			REM 	* Exit
+			IF EXIST "!_myname:~9!.bat" (
+				REN "!_myname:~9!.bat" "!_myname:~9!.bat.old"
+				DEL /F "!_myname:~9!.bat.old"
+			)
+			COPY /B /V /Y "!_myname!.bat" "!_myname:~9!.bat"
+			START CMD /C "!_myname:~9!.bat" !_myparams!
+		)
+	)
+	EXIT /B
+)
+:begin
+CLS
+ECHO:
+ECHO:
+ECHO:                ########################################
+ECHO:                ####  user.js Updater for Windows   ####
+ECHO:                ####       by claustromaniac        ####
+ECHO:                ####             v4.5               ####
+ECHO:                ########################################
+ECHO:
+SET /A "_line=0"
+IF NOT EXIST user.js (
+	CALL :message "user.js not detected in the current directory."
+) ELSE (
+	FOR /F "skip=1 tokens=1,* delims=:" %%G IN (user.js) DO (
+		SET /A "_line+=1"
+		IF !_line! GEQ 4 (GOTO exitloop)
+		IF !_line! EQU 1 (SET _name=%%H)
+		IF !_line! EQU 2 (SET _date=%%H)
+		IF !_line! EQU 3 (SET _version=%%G)
+	)
+	:exitloop
+	IF NOT "!_name!"=="" (
+		IF /I NOT "!_name!"=="!_name:ghacks=!" (
+			CALL :message "!_name! !_version:~2!,!_date!"
+		) ELSE (CALL :message "Current user.js version not recognised.")
+	) ELSE (CALL :message "Current user.js version not recognised.")
+)
+ECHO:
+IF NOT DEFINED _ua (
+	CALL :message "This batch should be run from your Firefox profile directory."
+	ECHO:  It will download the latest version of ghacks user.js from github and then
+	CALL :message "append any of your own changes from user-overrides.js to it."
+	CALL :message "Visit the wiki for more detailed information."
+	ECHO:
+	TIMEOUT 1 /nobreak >nul
+	CHOICE /C SHE /N /M "Start [S] Help [H] Exit [E]"
+	CLS
+	IF ERRORLEVEL 3 (EXIT /B)
+	IF ERRORLEVEL 2 (GOTO :showhelp)
+)
+IF DEFINED _log (
+	CALL :log >>user.js-update-log.txt 2>&1
+	IF DEFINED _logp (START user.js-update-log.txt)
+	EXIT /B
+	:log
+	SET _log=2
+	ECHO:##################################################################
+	ECHO:  %date%, %time%
+)
+IF EXIST user.js.new (DEL /F "user.js.new")
+CALL :message "Retrieving latest user.js file from github repository..."
+(
+	powershell -Command "(New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadFile('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ghacksuserjs/ghacks-user.js/master/user.js', 'user.js.new')"
+) >nul 2>&1
+IF EXIST user.js.new (
+	IF DEFINED _multi (
+		FORFILES /P user.js-overrides /M *.js >nul 2>&1
+		IF NOT ERRORLEVEL 1 (
+			IF DEFINED _merge (
+				CALL :message "Merging..."
+				COPY /B /V /Y user.js-overrides\*.js user-overrides-merged.js
+				CALL :merge user-overrides-merged.js
+				COPY /B /V /Y user.js.new+user-overrides-merged.js user.js.new
+				CALL :merge user.js.new
+			) ELSE (
+				CALL :message "Appending..."
+				COPY /B /V /Y user.js.new+"user.js-overrides\*.js" user.js.new
+			)
+		) ELSE (CALL :message "No override files found.")
+	) ELSE (
+		IF EXIST "user-overrides.js" (
+			COPY /B /V /Y user.js.new+"user-overrides.js" "user.js.new"
+			IF DEFINED _merge (
+				CALL :message "Merging user-overrides.js..."
+				CALL :merge user.js.new
+			) ELSE (
+				CALL :message "user-overrides.js appended."
+			)
+		) ELSE (CALL :message "user-overrides.js not found.")
+	)
+	IF EXIST user.js (
+		FC user.js.new user.js >nul && SET "_changed=false" || SET "_changed=true"
+	)
+	IF "!_changed!"=="true" (
+		CALL :message "Backing up..."
+		IF DEFINED _singlebackup (
+			MOVE /Y user.js user.js.bak >nul
+		) ELSE (
+			SET "_time=!time: =0!"
+			MOVE /Y user.js "user-backup-!date:/=-!_!_time::=.!.js" >nul
+		)
+		REN user.js.new user.js
+		CALL :message "Update complete."
+	) ELSE (
+		IF "!_changed!"=="false" (
+			DEL /F user.js.new >nul
+			CALL :message "Update completed without changes."
+		) ELSE (
+			REN user.js.new user.js
+			CALL :message "Update complete."
+		)
+	)
+) ELSE (
+	CALL :message "Update failed. Make sure PowerShell is allowed internet access."
+	ECHO:  No changes were made.
+)
+IF NOT DEFINED _log (
+	IF NOT DEFINED _ua (PAUSE)
+)
+EXIT /B
+
+REM ########### Message Function ###########
+:message
+SETLOCAL DisableDelayedExpansion
+IF NOT "2"=="%_log%" (ECHO:)
+ECHO:  %~1
+IF NOT "2"=="%_log%" (ECHO:)
+ENDLOCAL
+GOTO :EOF
+REM ############ Merge function ############
+:merge
+SETLOCAL DisableDelayedExpansion
+FOR /F tokens^=2^,^*^ delims^=^'^" %%G IN ('FINDSTR /R /C:"^user_pref[ 	]*\([ 	]*[\"'].*[\"'][ 	]*,.*\)[ 	]*;" "%~1"') DO (SET "[%%G]=%%H")
+FOR /F tokens^=2^,^*^ delims^=^' %%G IN ('FINDSTR /R /C:"^//// --- comment-out --- '[^'][^']*'.*" "%~1"') DO (SET "__unset__%%G=1")
+(
+	FOR /F "tokens=1,* delims=:" %%I IN ('FINDSTR /N "^" "%~1"') DO (
+		SET "_temp=%%J"
+		SETLOCAL EnableDelayedExpansion
+		IF NOT "!_temp:~0,9!"=="user_pref" (
+			ENDLOCAL & ECHO:%%J
+		) ELSE (
+			IF "!_temp:;=!"=="!_temp!" (
+				ENDLOCAL & ECHO:%%J
+			) ELSE (
+				ENDLOCAL
+				FOR /F tokens^=2^ delims^=^'^" %%K IN ("%%J") DO (
+					IF NOT "_user.js.parrot"=="%%K" (
+						IF DEFINED __unset__%%K (
+							ECHO://%%J
+						) ELSE (
+							IF DEFINED [%%K] (
+								SETLOCAL EnableDelayedExpansion
+								FOR /F "delims=" %%L IN ("![%%K]!") DO (
+									ENDLOCAL & ECHO:user_pref("%%K"%%L
+									SET "[%%K]="
+								)
+							)
+						)
+					) ELSE (ECHO:%%J)
+				)
+			)
+		)
+	)
+)>updatertempfile
+MOVE /Y updatertempfile "%~1" >nul
+ENDLOCAL
+GOTO :EOF
+REM ############### Help ##################
+:showhelp
+MODE 80,46
+CLS
+CALL :message "Available arguments (case-insensitive):"
+CALL :message "  -log"
+ECHO:     Write the console output to a logfile (user.js-update-log.txt)
+CALL :message "  -logP"
+ECHO:     Like -log, but also open the logfile after updating.
+CALL :message "  -merge"
+ECHO:     Merge overrides instead of appending them. Single-line comments and
+ECHO:     _user.js.parrot lines are appended normally. Overrides for inactive
+ECHO:     user.js prefs will be appended. When -Merge and -MultiOverrides are used
+ECHO:     together, a user-overrides-merged.js file is also generated in the root
+ECHO:     directory for quick reference. It contains only the merged data from
+ECHO:     override files and can be safely discarded after updating, or used as the
+ECHO:     new user-overrides.js. When there are conflicting records for the same
+ECHO:     pref, the value of the last one declared will be used. Visit the wiki
+ECHO:     for usage examples and more detailed information.
+CALL :message "  -multiOverrides"
+ECHO:     Use any and all .js files in a user.js-overrides sub-folder as overrides
+ECHO:     instead of the default user-overrides.js file. Files are appended in
+ECHO:     alphabetical order.
+CALL :message "  -unattended"
+ECHO:     Run without user input.
+CALL :message "  -singleBackup"
+ECHO:     Use a single backup file and overwrite it on new updates, instead of
+ECHO:     cumulative backups. This was the default behaviour before v4.3.
+CALL :message "  -updatebatch"
+ECHO:     Update the script itself on execution, before the normal routine.
+CALL :message ""
+PAUSE
+MODE 80,25
+GOTO :begin
+REM #####################################

updater.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,119 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+
+### ghacks-user.js updater for Mac/Linux
+## author: @overdodactyl
+## version: 1.3
+
+## DON'T GO HIGHER THAN VERSION x.9 !! ( because of ASCII comparison in check_for_update() )
+
+ghacksjs="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ghacksuserjs/ghacks-user.js/master/user.js"
+updater="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ghacksuserjs/ghacks-user.js/master/updater.sh"
+update_pref=${1:--ask}
+
+currdir=$(pwd)
+
+## get the full path of this script (readlink for Linux, greadlink for Mac with coreutils installed)
+sfp=$(readlink -f "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}" 2>/dev/null || greadlink -f "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}" 2>/dev/null)
+
+## fallback for Macs without coreutils
+if [ -z "$sfp" ]; then sfp=${BASH_SOURCE[0]}; fi
+
+## change directory to the Firefox profile directory
+cd "$(dirname "${sfp}")"
+
+## Used to check if a new version of updater.sh is available
+update_available="no"
+check_for_update () {
+  online_version="$(curl -s ${updater} | sed -n '5 s/.*[[:blank:]]\([[:digit:]]*\.[[:digit:]]*\)/\1/p')"
+  path_to_script="$(dirname "${sfp}")/updater.sh"
+  current_version="$(sed -n '5 s/.*[[:blank:]]\([[:digit:]]*\.[[:digit:]]*\)/\1/p' "$path_to_script")"
+  if [[ "$current_version" < "$online_version" ]]; then
+    update_available="yes"
+  fi
+}
+
+## Used to backup the current script, and download and execute the latest version of updater.sh
+update_script () {
+  echo -e "This script will be backed up and the latest version of updater.sh will be executed.\n"
+  mv updater.sh "updater.sh.backup.$(date +"%Y-%m-%d_%H%M")"
+  curl -O ${updater} && echo -e "\nThe latest updater script has been downloaded\n"
+  
+  # make new file executable
+  chmod +x updater.sh
+
+  # execute new updater script
+  ./updater.sh -donotupdate
+
+  # exit script
+  exit 1
+}
+
+
+main () {
+  ## create backup folder if it doesn't exist
+  mkdir -p userjs_backups;
+
+  echo -e "\nThis script should be run from your Firefox profile directory.\n"
+
+  echo -e "Updating the user.js for Firefox profile:\n$(pwd)\n"
+
+  if [ -e user.js ]; then
+    echo "Your current user.js file for this profile will be backed up and the latest ghacks version from github will take its place."
+    echo -e "\nIf currently using the ghacks user.js, please compare versions:"
+    echo "  Available online: $(curl -s ${ghacksjs} | sed -n '4p')"
+    echo "  Currently using:  $(sed -n '4p' user.js)"
+  else
+    echo "A user.js file does not exist in this profile. If you continue, the latest ghacks version from github will be downloaded."
+  fi
+
+  echo -e "\nIf a user-overrides.js file exists in this profile, it will be appended to the user.js.\n"
+
+  read -p "Continue Y/N? " -n 1 -r
+  echo -e "\n\n"
+
+  if [[ $REPLY =~ ^[Yy]$ ]]; then
+    if [ -e user.js ]; then
+      # backup current user.js
+      bakfile="userjs_backups/user.js.backup.$(date +"%Y-%m-%d_%H%M")"
+      mv user.js "${bakfile}" && echo "Your previous user.js file was backed up: ${bakfile}"
+    fi
+
+    # download latest ghacks user.js
+    echo "downloading latest ghacks user.js file"
+    curl -O ${ghacksjs} && echo "ghacks user.js has been downloaded"
+
+    if [ -e user-overrides.js ]; then
+      echo "user-overrides.js file found"
+      cat user-overrides.js >> user.js && echo "user-overrides.js has been appended to user.js"
+    fi
+  else
+    echo "Process aborted"
+  fi
+
+  ## change directory back to the original working directory
+  cd "${currdir}"
+}
+
+update_pref="$(echo $update_pref | tr '[A-Z]' '[a-z]')"
+if [ $update_pref = "-donotupdate" ]; then
+  main
+else
+  check_for_update
+  if [ $update_available = "no" ]; then
+    main
+  else
+    ## there is an update available 
+    if [ $update_pref = "-update" ]; then
+      ## update without asking
+      update_script
+    else 
+      read -p "There is a newer version of updater.sh available.  Download and execute?  Y/N? " -n 1 -r
+      echo -e "\n\n"
+      if [[ $REPLY =~ ^[Yy]$ ]]; then
+        update_script
+      else
+        main
+      fi
+    fi
+  fi
+fi