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Topic: Support for Firefox series 2 browsers ends in December 2008 |
Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 3 Jul 2008 9:07 am |
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According to a notice on this page, "Firefox 2.0.0.x will be maintained with security and stability updates until mid-December, 2008. All users are strongly encouraged to upgrade to Firefox 3."
This gives the authors of the various add-ons, extensions, plug-ins and themes 6 months notice to update their applications to be compatible with Firefox series 3 browsers.
Those of you (and me) who are holding on to Firefox 2.0.0.x because we use add-ons that have not been updated for version 3.x will have to consider our options soon.
One option is to search for replacement add-ons that are compatible with Firefox 3.x and similar enough to our old ones to be suitable.
A second option is to try to force the new browser to use our old add-ons, using browser configuration hacks. This can have disastrous effects on browser stability if an add-on is truly incapable of working with the new security model or rendering engine.
A third option is to upgrade to Firefox 3, let it disable incompatible add-ons (live without them), then set it to check for updates to add-ons every time it searches for browser updates. This can be set in the browser Options, under Advanced > Update. This will slow the opening of the browser until the search has completed. Also, if an update is available you will have to interact with the notification box to install it, or skip it.
You can also check manually for updates to your add-ons (enabled or disabled) by going to the menu item Tools > Add-ons, then clicking "Find Updates." You will have the option of installing any updates, then restarting Firefox. The updates will not "take" until you restart (all instances of) the browser. If you had multiple tabs open when you click Restart they will all re-open when the browser restarts. You may have to re-login to some password protected sites though.
As far as I know, all of the add-ons and extensions for Firefox are freely made available and maintained by their authors. All add-ons list the author's website. Sometimes these websites will have a newer version available than the Firefox website. So, if your add-ons are not yet updated to work in Firefox 3.x, visit the author's website to see if one is available there. Just be sure you use the author links found at https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/ for your existing or new add-ons.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Chip Fossa
From:
Monson, MA, USA (deceased)
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Posted 18 Jul 2008 4:55 pm
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Wiz,
I've been getting FF auto updates all along (presently have 20016) but have not recieved any notice about this 3.0v.
How and where can I check to see if I use any PLUG-INs. I don't think I do.
Should I switch over to 3.0 now?
Is 3.0 on Mozilla's site?
I'm a VistaMan.
Thanks, Wiz...
Chipper  |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 19 Jul 2008 7:13 am
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Chip;
For some as yet unknown reason Firefox 2.x does not notify its users that a new major version is available. You will have to go to the official Firefox download page and get it manually. Install it over the existing installation to be upgraded, or into a separate folder of your choosing, to keep FF 2.0.0.16. Note, that if you install FF 3.x it will become your default browser, instead of FF 2.x.
The current version is 3.01. Anybody who downloaded v3.0 should check the version number (Help > About Mozilla Firefox), or use Help > Check for Updates.
As usual, if you have a software firewall it may monitor file md5 signatures for unexpected changes, such as would happen if malware hijacks a file's name to do its dirty work. If your firewall complains about Firefox having been changed and wanting to connect to the Internet, allow it and select the option to remember your decision.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Chip Fossa
From:
Monson, MA, USA (deceased)
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Posted 20 Jul 2008 12:06 pm
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| Thanks Wiz. |
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Chip Fossa
From:
Monson, MA, USA (deceased)
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Posted 20 Jul 2008 12:26 pm
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Wiz,
Is there any real good reason(s) to move up to FF 3.0? |
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