ηMatrix/eMatrix support thread

[fatboy]

Random Question about eMatrix:

Are the host files suppose to automatically update? Seems like I have to do this manually

[vannilla]

They are...
Guess I have to start working on the next version already.

[moonshiner]

The noscript tags were ignored, this new version fix it thanks.

[fatboy]

They are...
Guess I have to start working on the next version already.

Thank You Vanilla. Your work is much appreciated. This add on is a must with today's Internet/web pages.

[vannilla]

Thank You Vanilla. Your work is much appreciated. This add on is a must with today's Internet/web pages.

Thanks.
Just in case, can you check if the automatic updates work with 3.0.5?
Just clear the cache, activate automatic updates, and see if anything happens as time passes. Browse normally and check from time to time until the end of the day or something like that.

[Michaell]

I have 3.03 (in PM 28.6) and just tried a manual update and got no response (the request did not show in the logger). Did a manual update of Hosts Files and the last two, MVPS and Peter Lowe, did not update and no request showed in the logger (or in Web Dev. Network) when I retried updating those two.

I did not investigate any further. If it isn't useful info, just disregard it. I'm fine with it as is.

[vannilla]

Yes, it seems 3.0.3 has a problem with host files and updates.
It's probably related to what caused the issue with the search engines.
After writing this post I'll release 3.0.5, if the problem persists just say so.

[fatboy]

Palemoon has been open a few times, ematrix has been updated, but the host files are not updated?

Would it be possible to trigger the host file update when one manually looks for extension updates?

ematrix.png

[vannilla]

In your screenshot the automatic updates setting is disabled though.
I'm not confident in my ability to fix all the bugs without introducing new ones. As such I'm still keeping an eye on this, so don't worry if you messed up.

[doofy]

I run uMatrix and have never seen the value of the hosts stuff; it only duplicates stuff I have access to in uB0 and (I assume) other ad blockers.
Seems inefficient and is the first thing I turn off in any fresh install.

[fatboy]

In your screenshot the automatic updates setting is disabled though.

Doh! I see now. I will check the box and let you know. Sorry.

[vannilla]

I run uMatrix and have never seen the value of the hosts stuff; it only duplicates stuff I have access to in uB0 and (I assume) other ad blockers.
Seems inefficient and is the first thing I turn off in any fresh install.

The purpose of the host lists is to let the extension automatically block ("put in dark red" from the point of view of the UI) requests coming from those domains.
Ultimately it's the same as other ad blockers, but how it does it is different.
If you have another ad blocker you can disable host files, the browser won't connect to those domains anyway.

[adesh]

I don't know why others did not report this but DDG search is still broken when first party scripts are blocked. This is on latest 3.0.5 version of eMatrix.

[vannilla]

Works on my end, so I can't test for myself.
Do you have some particular setting enabled/disabled?

[moonbat]

I don't know why others did not report this but DDG search is still broken when first party scripts are blocked. This is on latest 3.0.5 version of eMatrix.

Why are you blocking first-party scripts? 90% of the web is unusable without Javascript these days. No surprise the page doesn't work.

Off-topic:
In fact with everyone using CDNs, even 3rd party blocking is problematic. I just block scripts by domain.

[adesh]

I was just reporting that the search issue which is assumed to be fixed is actually not. Same results on my other machine which has a different OS and a different browser build.
Problem is the code change in eMatrix which is causing this might cause other websites and workflows to be affected. That's why it is important to inform.

(BTW, in my normal browsing I keep DDG in why JS whitelist. So, this issue doesn't really pertain to me.)


Now, on to some difficult questions you threw at me.

Why are you blocking first-party scripts?

Because I can. That's one of the reasons I'm using eMatrix in the first place.

90% of the web is unusable without Javascript these days.

Probably I don't visit that 90% of the web you are talking about.

No surprise the page doesn't work.

Actually, it is. Did you try searching DDG from address or search box with JavaScript disabled. You get a basic HTML version of the page which is fully functional.


Finally: Dude, I'm an expert. I know what I'm doing. Plus this is eMatrix support thread, it is understood that people here will block stuff.

[adesh]

Works on my end, so I can't test for myself.
Do you have some particular setting enabled/disabled?

Ok, the issue here may be PEBKAC.

This issue occurs when the option to spoof "noscript" tags is unchecked in eMatrix settings. I turned that off when you clarified in some post a few weeks ago that spoofing these tags can have unintended effects and the wording of the options doesn't accurately reflect what it does.

[vannilla]

This issue occurs when the option to spoof "noscript" tags is unchecked in eMatrix settings. I turned that off when you clarified in some post a few weeks ago that spoofing these tags can have unintended effects and the wording of the options doesn't accurately reflect what it does.

Ah now I see the problem.
When you block first-party scripts, the browser still advertise itself as supporting scripts, so the website will try to execute whatever script it needs.
By spoofing the noscript tag, the browser will advertise that it does not support scripts, so the website will try to load a script-less page if available (it is for DDG.)
Can you link me to the post where I previously talked about that setting? If I really said that then I'm going to punch myself because that's wrong.
The setting description does not help though, so it really needs to go.
Does "Select this if you block 1st-party scripts" explain why you might need it? You need that setting when those scripts are blocked or sites will never work as demonstrated here.

[adesh]

It's here: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=22213&p=168234#p168234

Although, now I can see why it makes sense but it surely is confusing.

[vannilla]

Thankfully I didn't say anything weird... it's just the same explanation, but worded differently (and not that greatly either.)
Unfortunately there's no real way out. Both the setting and its explanation are confusing unless you have some technical background (in particular in how the extension works behind the scene), so there's no solution.
I will try to add a help tooltip like some other settings have (the clickable question mark), which is better than nothing. I need to find a way to explain it in an understandable way.