How does one install Mozilla's Firefox?
 

My OS is Debian 6.0.6, 64 bit US English.

How do I install Mozilla's Firefox?

Note: I am new to Linux and Debian and would appreciate it if you could provide detailed instructions on how to download and get it installed.

I don't seem to be able to download it via Synaptic Package Manager.

Debian's Iceweasel is simply Firefox with some of the branding removed, because Debian is aggressively committed to free software. Using it is pretty the same as using Firefox.

This article from the Debian wiki will tell you more: http://wiki.debian.org/Iceweasel

Thanks for your reply.

I noticed that the version of Iceweasel that came with the ISO is version 3+

Can I update it to the latest version which is 17.0.1 via Synaptic Package Manager?

If yes, what commands must I issue? I have tried updating Iceweasel via Synaptic Package Manager without success. Hence the post here.

If you really want a newer version, you can use backports.
http://backports-master.debian.org/
It will be a newer version, not the latest.

Also, see mozilla.debian.net for instructions for newer versions.

If you are running Debian Stable, backports has the ESR version, mozilla.debian.net repo has the current release, as well as the beta and aurora versions.

iceweasel:
Installed: 17.0.1-1
Candidate: 17.0.1-1

Mozilla/5.0 (X11; Linux i686; rv:17.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/17.0.1

Or you can use Firefox:
Tech Patterns :: Switching from Debian Iceweasel to Firefox, permanently - http://techpatterns.com/forums/about1435.html

Not really much of a difference other than the name and icon.

apt-get remove iceweasel

If you want a package-based one, you can use Linux Mint's Debian package repo. As root or super user, add the following line to your /etc/apt/sources.list:

deb http://packages.linuxmint.com debian import

Then, just run:

apt-get update
apt-get install firefox

That is about the easiest way of doing it. Ice weasle as already, said just the unbranded version of firefox.

Adding Mint or Ubuntu repositories to a Debian system is usually not a good idea. Why risk screwing up the system for the sake of installing the same browser with a different name?

Linux Mint Debian Edition. It is based on debian testing and is semi rolling. Not from the Ubuntu Mint side. Works just fine. You might want to check your facts next time before you comment. LMDE uses debain repos except for their customization and the non free stuff they add that isn't in the native debian repos.

I really wish people would stop peddling this. LMDE is no longer really based on Debian testing. It has its own repositories and there is more and more Ubuntu material (firefox being one of the packages) contained in the repo. Here is the current package list for LMDE as listed on Linux Mints website.

Semi-rolling? They have update packs so LMDE users don't break their system.

I'd be careful making such statements. Firefox in LMDE repositories is from Ubuntu, it was always in the Import section of the old LMDE repository

This is the LMDE repo list

as you can see they are not native debian repos at all if they were they would beTo the OP you are in my opinion better of using Mozilla Debian repositories and follow the instructions listed there to get the latest Iceweasel. If you must have Firefox the follow Craigevils advice.

If the packages are customised, they are not Debian. And it is those changes, "customisations", that can cause problems. Changes can make packages uncompatible between two systems. To make a long story short; based on does not mean the same. Hence, Linux Mint Debian Edition. Not Debian Mint Edition. (Read k3lt01's fine post.)


Semi-rolling release.:confused: That is a popular phrase. Usually used by people who want to convince others, or convince themselves, that their distribution is cutting-edge, but without the bugs that are part of being cutting edge. A system either is or is not rolling. Basing a system on someone else's testing release is neither rolling nor semi-rolling.


That is good advice. Practise what you preach.

The customisations in LMDE adds their art work. They also add the non free repo access for multimedia, codecs, and programs that are not included in debians repos. They also have better out of the box hardware driver support than debian. A nice feature for the newbie.

LMDE is based on testing which is what? Debian's rolling release. LMDE uses Debians rebos too.

I do practice what I preach. If I post it, you can bet it works. Easy to see you are blowing smoke about something you know nothing about.

They also have quite a few Ubuntu packages that are not Debian.

What's your point? Ubuntu LTS releases are based on Debian Testing as well while regular releases are based on Sid. LTS releases are deliberately based on Testing so that they are not as cutting edge and have a lot more development making them behind what many people consider current versions. Testing is not a rolling release it is a development release. Do you know what version of Iceweasel Testing is on now? It is on 10 and the only changes being made to any packages are security and bug fixes. Yet you can get via Mozilla.Debian.net Iceweasel up to 19a. Hardly an indication of Testing being a Rolling release.

Cavedweller, get your facts straight before you tell others to. I wouldn't have posted in this thread if you hadn't said what you said. What you say may work, and I do know the Debian repos will work, but you can bet your bottom dollar the basis of your posts are quite wrong and if you bothered to look at the links supplied you would be able to see that.

The default LMDE repository is not from Debian it is from Linux Mint and it has many Ubuntu and other non-Debian packages as shown in previous links. You can't argue with what is posted on the official site and if you even try you are just going to look like a troll.

Cavedweller take not of what Randicus actually said
He is absolutely correct it is NOT usually a good idea infact it can cause problems. if you have been able to mix and match between different Debian based distros then good for you but when you make categorical statements that can lead people to having problems with their system you can expect others to advise caution.

If you knew anything about Debian, you would know that Debian Testing is not a rolling release. A glaring example is that Testing is currently frozen. That means no new packages are being added and none will ever be added, while Wheezy remains Testing and after it becomes the next Stable. Rolling releases are never frozen. That is why they are called rolling.:doh: It is a good thing you are here to "explain" things to us, so we do not get confused.:rolleyes:

Before this flurry of three posts, you had two posts in five years. When you finally decided to get involved, it was to post bad advice. After that was pointed out, you attacked and used a heaping load of mis-information to prove everyone else is clueless. I usually give people the benefit of the doubt, but in this case I am moving toward the conclusion of "troll" quicker than normal.