Ubuntu
firefox package

Firefox install

Asked by Bob Marconi

Hi,

First, please understand I know absolutely nothing about using Linux!

I was forced (long story) to set up ubuntu on another hard drive I had when my windows drive failed - at least I can keep up with my email that way. Anyway Firefox is a part of Ubuntu but not the latest version. I keep getting these messages from sites asking me to upgrade to the latest Firefox version - 2.xxx.xxx.

But the 'upgrade' function is greyed out in the 'help' menu of the version of Firefox installed with Ubuntu. I can download the current version of Firefox but then what do I do with it to install - I have no idea what '.tar.gz' means or how to use it.

Linux (Ubuntu) is not very intuitive for someone like me who has never used it.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you for your time,
Bob Marconi
<email address hidden>

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Ubuntu firefox Edit question
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Solved by:
Cesare Tirabassi
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Revision history for this message
Mathias Uebelacker (muebelacker) said : 		#1

Hello Bob,

so the latest version is 2.0.0.4 on mozilla.com So please check your version and if you need this update your version via synaptik, open:
gnome-panel ->system->administration->synaptik-package-manager->search for firefox and on the firefox entry you will see your installed version and an possible upgrade to a higher version to upgrade ->right click on the checkbox left from the firefox entry mark to update and then press the apply button.

br
Mathias

Revision history for this message
Kevin (kevinde4) said : 		#2

I am running into the same problem as Bob. I followed your instructions, Mathian, but the upgrade button was grayed out.

Revision history for this message
Kevin (kevinde4) said : 		#3

and remains grayed out.

Revision history for this message
Mathias Uebelacker (muebelacker) said : 		#4

Hello Bob, hello Kevin,

please send me your firefox version (firefox ->help ->about

br
Mathias

Revision history for this message
Bob Marconi (chugeniv) said : 		#5

Mine is what came with the Ubuntu disk I received - v1.5.0.12

When you go to the Firefox website: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/, it tells you there is a new version available. So I download it but don't know what to do with it How do you open it, get it to install, etc.!

Thanks,
Bob

Revision history for this message
Mathias Uebelacker (muebelacker) said : 		#6

Hello Bob,

so here are the way:
open a terminal
tar zxf firefox-2.0.0.4.tar.gz
sudo mv firefox /usr/local
sudo chown -R root:root /usr/local/firefox

so the istallation will overwrite your existing ersion every bookmark or add-on will be lost. The symbolic link and the entrys in the menu should work if not ...i be here
br
Mathias

Revision history for this message
Cesare Tirabassi (norsetto) said : 		#7

Bob (and possibly Kevin),

if you want the last firefox release you also need the last release of Ubuntu, which is 7.04, while you are
using version 6.06.
You can't have the one without the other.

Revision history for this message
Cesare Tirabassi (norsetto) said : 		#8

Instead of installing from tarball, which might be difficult if you are a new user and may damage your installation, I advise you to upgrade your Ubuntu version.
You will automatically upgrade all applications (firefox, open office, etc. included)

Revision history for this message
Mathias Uebelacker (muebelacker) said : 		#9

yepp, upgrade and / or update is allways the best way because you get a version which is build for your (then) running system.

br
Mathias

Revision history for this message
Bob Marconi (chugeniv) said : 		#10

Hi,

Thank you all for your help. I have ordered the new disc.

Is there somewhere someone like me could go for a basic tutorial on Linux that wouldn't get to technical for a beginner?

Thanks again for your help,
Bob

Revision history for this message
Best Cesare Tirabassi (norsetto) said : 		#11

There is a nice one here:

http://www.linux.org/lessons/beginner/index.html

Its a bit outdated in some respects, and don't take all commands as valid for your system (every distribution is a tad different from the others) but it could be good to get you going.
Mind you, the guy is somewhat old school, so you will get a lot of info about the Command Line Interface (CLI), which might be intimidating.
If thats not your pick, you can check this:

https://help.ubuntu.com/7.04/newtoubuntu/C/index.html

Which is just the first chapter of this:

https://help.ubuntu.com/

And of course this if you feel like spending some hard earned cash:

http://www.amazon.com/Official-Ubuntu-Book-2nd/dp/0132354136/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3/104-9678848-7206359?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1184268861&sr=8-3

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Bob Marconi (chugeniv) said : 		#12

Thanks again.

Revision history for this message
Aztec13 (aztecanleatherempire) said : 		#13

 I found a non-Firefox site lastnight that was really really good. I think the site's source may be an Ubuntite as well. See if there is anything that he has that may help you. Everything is quite nicely laid out, and easy to find what you are looking for or I would find it for you personally.http://www.mvrhs.org/library/How_to/computers_general/FFox_Install.html
this may also help you....
http://en-US.www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/help/
Good luke amigo. I did want to mention I noticed a Firefox update package that was in the UBUNTU's automatic update batch. Is this not what was sought after ? I can't see that the update would have been anything but a current version download.Also be aware many extensions don't work with new Firefox versions. I usually give the extensions awhile to catch up before I go all out. Just my opinion though.We all know about those.

Revision history for this message
Aztec13 (aztecanleatherempire) said : 		#14

sorry i know this is solved but in case anyone ever finds it as reference i just found this specific site confronting exactly this.http://pykeylogger.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Ubuntuzilla#Install_Official_Mozilla_Build_of_Firefox

Revision history for this message
Bob Marconi (chugeniv) said : 		#15

No problem!

Thanks again,
Bob