This chapter describes the upcoming feature in the Chrome browser called the "separation of sync/local folders" and how it impacts FakeTag.
6.1 What is "separation of sync/local folders"?
Until now, the top level of your bookmark folder hierarchy always had two folders (whether or not you are signed in to your browser with a Google account): "Bookmarks bar" and "Other bookmarks".
"F" stands for "folder" and "B" stands for "bookmark".
┣ [F: "Bookmarks bar"]
┃ ┗ [B]
┗ [F: "Other bookmarks"]
┣ [B]
┗ [F]
┗ [B]
From now on, they will be divided into two pairs: (1) a folder pair for bookmarks that are shared between devices by auto-sync (hereafter referred to as the "sync folders"), and (2) a folder pair for bookmarks that are stored only on a specific device (hereafter referred to as the "local folders"). In some cases, there will be four folders at the top level of the folder hierarchy: (1.a) the sync "Bookmarks bar", (1.b) the sync "Other bookmarks", (2.a) the local "Bookmarks bar", and (2.b) the local "Other bookmarks".
The following sections provide concrete examples. In all cases, you cannot access folders or bookmarks under a top-level folder that is not currently displayed.
6.1.1 When you are not signed in
When you are not signed in to your browser, you will only see the local folders. Any folders or bookmarks under them are stored only on the device you are currently using.
┣ [F: "Bookmarks bar (local)"]
┃ ┗ [B]
┗ [F: "Other bookmarks (local)"]
┣ [B]
┗ [F]
┗ [B]
6.1.2 When you are signed in
When you are signed in to your browser, the top-level folders can be in one of two states, depending on whether the local folders are empty or not.
6.1.2.1 If the local folders are empty
If the local folders are empty, you will only see the sync folders. Any folders or bookmarks under them will be automatically synced and available on other devices as well.
┣ [F: "Bookmarks bar (sync)"] ┃ ┣ [B] ┃ ┗ [B] ┗ [F: "Other bookmarks (sync)"] ┣ [F] ┃ ┗ [B] ┗ [B]
6.1.2.2 If the local folders are not empty
If the local folders are not empty, you will see both the sync and local folders.
┣ [F: "Bookmarks bar (local)"] ┃ ┗ [B] ┣ [F: "Other bookmarks (local)"] ┃ ┣ [B] ┃ ┗ [F] ┃ ┗ [B] ┣ [F: "Bookmarks bar (sync)"] ┃ ┣ [B] ┃ ┗ [B] ┗ [F: "Other bookmarks (sync)"] ┣ [F] ┃ ┗ [B] ┗ [B]
Note that even if both the sync and local "Bookmarks bar" folders have sub-items (folders and bookmarks under them), there will only be one bookmarks bar visually rendered under the address bar, so in that case both sub-items will co-exist in one bookmarks bar. The same applies to the sync/local "Other Bookmarks" folders.
Note also that, if you empty the local folders when both the sync and local folders are visible, the local folders will be hidden, resulting in the state described in section 6.1.2.1.
6.2 How does this impact FakeTag?
This section describes how this "separation of sync/local folders" impacts FakeTag.
6.2.1 Impact on tags
As explained in Chapter 1, FakeTag achieves its bookmark-tagging functionality by treating multiple bookmarks pointing to the same URL as a single "composite bookmark."
Two bookmarks pointing to the same URL: ┣ [F1: "News"] ┃ ┗ [B1: "BBC"] (=> https://www.bbc.com/) ┗ [F2: "U.K."] ┗ [B2: "BBC"] (=> https://www.bbc.com/) If you look at folders as tags: [B1/B2: "BBC"] ~ [F1: "News"][F2: "U.K."]
With the rollout of the "separation of sync/local folders" feature, it can happen under certain conditions that the number of tags associated with a URL can appear different depending on whether you are signed in to your browser or not. Take a look at this example:
When you are signed in:
┣ [F: "Bookmarks bar (sync)"]
┣ [F: "Other bookmarks (sync)"]
┃ ┗ [F1: "News"]
┃ ┗ [B1: "BBC"] (=> https://www.bbc.com/)
┣ [F: "Bookmarks bar (local)"]
┗ [F: "Other bookmarks (local)"]
┗ [F2: "U.K."]
┗ [B2: "BBC"] (=> https://www.bbc.com/)
If you look at folders as tags:
[B1/B2: "BBC"] ~ [F1: "News"][F2: "U.K."]
In the example above, two tags, "News" and "U.K.", are associated with the URL https://www.bbc.com/. The "News" tag (= folder) is a sub-item of the sync folders, while the "U.K." is a sub-item of the local folders.
If you then sign out, neither you nor FakeTag will have access to the sync folders, so the only tag associated with the URL https://www.bbc.com/ will be "U.K.".
When you are not signed in:
┣ [F: "Bookmarks bar (local)"]
┗ [F: "Other bookmarks (local)"]
┗ [F2: "U.K."]
┗ [B2: "BBC"] (=> https://www.bbc.com/)
If you look at folders as tags:
[B1: "BBC"] ~ [F2: "U.K."]
This could cause confusion if it were to happen to multiple URLs at once, so if the bookmark manager detects that you sign in (or out) while using it, it will be reloaded automatically.
6.2.2 Impact on "unused notes"
As explained in Chapter 5, an "unused note" is a note associated with a URL that is not pointed to by any bookmark.
Be aware that a note associated with a URL that is only pointed to by a bookmark under the sync folders will be marked as an "unused note" when you are not signed in.
When you are signed in:
┣ [F: "Bookmarks bar (sync)"]
┗ [F: "Other bookmarks (sync)"]
┗ [F1: "News"]
┗ [B1: "BBC"] (=> https://www.bbc.com/)
If you look at folders as tags:
[B1: "BBC"] ~ [F1: "News"]
Stored notes:
https://www.bbc.com/ => "Read later"
When you are not signed in: ┣ [F: "Bookmarks bar (local)"] ┗ [F: "Other bookmarks (local)"] Stored notes: https://www.bbc.com/ => "Read later"
Just like the bookmark manager, if the options page detects that you sign in (or out) while using it, it will be reloaded automatically.
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