install Firefox instead of Iceweasel

[ccc]

hi

Howto install Firefox instead of Iceweasel on squeeze?

[cynwulf]

Download it, extract it to /opt or /usr/local, create some symbolic links, etc...

[CiaW]

If you later decide to install iceweasel (and keep firefox too), the iceweasel install will create some alias sort of thing so that calling 'firefox' will launch iceweasel. So I've called it ffreal and linked it thusly:

Code: Select all

ln -s /opt/firefox/firefox /usr/bin/ffreal

And now I can call /usr/bin/ffreal. Only thing is that they're both using the same config in my ~/.mozilla folder (i.e. bookmarks, extensions, etc.) and iceweasel is v10 and firefox is v12, so I may create different profiles. For the most part I'm using iceweasel since it seems faster on my 64bit system vs 32bit firefox.

In case that helps...

[CiaW]

I'm updating a squeeze vm in virtual box, and iceweasel esr or release won't install the newer xulrunner, because of some file that won't install due to wrong version, and I don't feel like trying to sort it out.

But, since I'm running 64bit squeeze and the firefox I downloaded is 32bit, I thought I'd add that I also have to install ia32libs to get firefox to work, and also installed ia32libs-gtk. And then also created a link
ln -s /opt/firefox/firefox /usr/lib/mozilla
in addition to the link
ln -s /opt/firefox/firefox /usr/bin/ffreal

[cynwulf]

You need the squeeze-backports repo as well as the relevant mozilla.debian.org repo.

[caulfield]

Is there any real difference instead of just artwork? I'm using Iceweasel, so i just ask...

[cynwulf]

Is there any real difference instead of just artwork? I'm using Iceweasel, so i just ask...

The answer to that question is an endless never ending debate going back years... which could easily go on for another few...

The simple answer is: Yes there are differences between firefox and iceweasel which go beyond the branding. But is iceweasel firefox? I would say yes, others will say no.

As I understand it the logo was removed first due to incompatibilities with DFSG. The name was removed later when Mozilla revoked their agreement over the firefox trademark (i.e. use the name and logo together or not at all) and Debian's policy of patching without Mozilla's approval.

The only real solution was the "fork" if you want to call it that, though it's not a fork. A project like Debian should not have to make exceptions for one particular program, however important some people may consider it. Not everyone uses firefox and no one installs an OS just to use a particular browser. In my opinion rebranding was the right thing. An unpatched firefox would not have made it into a stable release and should not have to be included just because mozilla corp think they can certify their software as bug free.

The main issue is that the people complaining the most vocally about Debian's patches to Firefox are quite happy to install and use the thousands of other patched Debian packages which they are mostly oblivious to...

None of Debian's patches effect firefox's functionality as far as I can tell. I have used iceweasel since I started using Debian (Debian Etch) and have never had any problems that weren't caused by flash, etc. Since around v3.5 iceweasel has been indistinguishable from firefox (except for the branding) for me anyway.

The build option to enable the use of the system cairo also does not in most cases have any adverse affects and is not a debian patch. butnut also build their firefox packages to use the system cairo and I'm pretty sure Slackware did at some point. Debian in the past did not, but changed it in response to all the "ugly font rendering" stuff. A lot of gtk apps in debian also seem to be built to use the system cairo, not just iceweasel.

[vbrummond]

It is as much firefox as any other distros patched versions. Even changing the branding is implemented upstream. If you compile Firefox from source it is actually called "Aurora Browser".

[nadir]

. A project like Debian should not have to make exceptions for one particular program, however important some people may consider it. Not everyone uses firefox and no one installs an OS just to use a particular browser.

Isn't that one of the things which make Debian Debian? Not a company, hence no foul compromises? Astonishing stubborn? Not following each and every vogue?
Does that remind the reader of another project? Perhaps, perhaps not... I for one am reminded of another one.
Anyway: yup, that is what i like: no exceptions.

It is a pity (and shame) that none of the hundreds of distros based on Debian take it that serious (not to start on non-Debian distros). The same can be said from most of it's users, as far i can see. "none" is an exaggeration (i don't know a single distro, but that doesn't mean there isn't one. It is the main reason i stick to Debian, btw, and pretty much gave up on other distros).
I thought it was one of the reasons it says: place for real debian users. I don't think it fits
(and, the way it is, children babbling about everything which comes to mind, it doesn't make any sense to even start to think if it might be worth to change that. If you think you are real Debian users as soon it is on the start page: fine)

The main issue is that the people complaining the most vocally about Debian's patches to Firefox are quite happy to install and use the thousands of other patched Debian packages which they are mostly oblivious to...

Ever read Schillings advices how to replace wodim? There you got the reason why no one complains (as long there is no repo).
Do it with 20 packages, and you can bet your ass that the system will get wonky (and that you ain't got the slightest clue what you did when and why anymore).

I don't care if someone uses firefox instead of iceweasel (anymore? I don't know. I can't remember that i ever made a dance and drama if anyone used firefox instead of. But everyone has his dark corners, when he blindly follows the vogue...).
The drama which is made of it, each and every time, is what is annoying.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Give_Me_C ... e_Me_Death

[CiaW]

You need the squeeze-backports repo as well as the relevant mozilla.debian.org repo.

I have bpo enabled, and it still wasn't going to install the version it wanted. I just launched the vm (which I rarely use) and here's some details, though I don't need help with trouble-shooting or trying to make it work. Just to give some specifics:
trying to upgrade iceweasel, it wants
xulrunner-10.0 depends libsqlite3-0 (>=3.7.12-1) but 3.7.3-1 is to be installed.

edit:
Ok, I figured out that it won't upgrade through synaptic, but if I use a root terminal and type the command it notes on the mozilla.debian.net (i.e. apt-get install -t squeeze-backports iceweasel) it will upgrade the correct packages, which was a total of 7 to upgrade and 3 new packages to install.