Adding the XPI MIME Type for Firefox Extension Installs
Yesterday I posted version 0.1 of the David Walsh Blog Toolbar for Firefox. Unfortunately that led to an awkward conversation with my .htaccess file.
.htaccess: I have no idea what to do with this.
me: I want the toolbar to install when they request this file.
.htaccess: Well, how am I supposed to do that?
me: OMG! You don't know?!
.htaccess: No, just like you didn't know how to create a Firefox extension before you did the research.
me: Good point. When can you research and start serving it up?
.htaccess: I can't research. I'm a file.
me: Oh. So I just need to figure things out for you again?
.htaccess: You never pay attention to me anymore...
That went on for quite a while but the moral of the story is that if you want your server to handle XPI files correctly, you need to add the following to your .htaccess file:
AddType application/x-xpinstall .xpi
If you don't add the above directive, Firefox will open the file as plain text which is an ugly mess.
![9 Mind-Blowing WebGL Demos]()
As much as developers now loathe Flash, we're still playing a bit of catch up to natively duplicate the animation capabilities that Adobe's old technology provided us. Of course we have canvas, an awesome technology, one which I highlighted 9 mind-blowing demos. Another technology available...
![Create a CSS Cube]()
CSS cubes really showcase what CSS has become over the years, evolving from simple color and dimension directives to a language capable of creating deep, creative visuals. Add animation and you've got something really neat. Unfortunately each CSS cube tutorial I've read is a bit...
![Flexbox Equal Height Columns]()
Flexbox was supposed to be the pot of gold at the long, long rainbow of insufficient CSS layout techniques. And the only disappointment I've experienced with flexbox is that browser vendors took so long to implement it. I can't also claim to have pushed flexbox's limits, but...
![Hot Effect: MooTools Drag Opacity]()
As you should already know, the best visual features of a website are usually held within the most subtle of details. One simple trick that usually makes a big different is the use of opacity and fading. Another awesome MooTools functionality is...
Only a web dev could have some kind of decent conversation with a file!
I did wonder why it didn’t install when I clicked it, good to see you found out why though. The ever brilliant David saves the day!
Awesome :)
Is it just me or are .htaccess files getting increasingly uppity lately?
You’re hilarious, dude! Have fun in Cali!!
LOL! i used to have long talks whit .htaccess too.
I envy your relationship with your .htaccess file.