Iceweasel or Firefox?
 

Just curious what most other Debian users use to browse the web between those 2. Any reasons you use one over the other?

I used Iceweasel because it was available in the repos for Etch and I try to stick with stock Debian software from the stable repository if possible. It has allowed me to successfully dist-upgrade from Woody thru Etch with no problems.

Iceweasel is available for the 64 bit architecture. From what I could tell, firefox is not.

Iceweasel and Firefox are the same thing.....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naming_...an_and_Mozilla

There are various things running around the net about why this issue exists---and abundant opinions.

I know, its why I refereed to it as rebrandded in the topic :D (Firefox couldn't be included due to Debians wish to use only open source software, and while Firefox is, the error reporting tol it comes with isnt, and Firefox doesnt want to allow any distribution of it without that tool included, for now atleast)

I was just curious what people still used, and if they ahd any reasons behind it :D

Actually my understanding was more along the lines of the copyrighted icons were not freely licensed, and Debians modifications to Firefox code not being run through the mozilla Firefox group.. You can't make unapproved changes and still call it Firefox..

To me they act the same, work the same, use the same extensions, so it's a moot point. I use whichever is readily available..

+1 pixellany

Iceweasel IS Firefox, so no matter which option you choose you vote for Firefox.

Debian project just did not liked the Firefox trademark/logo and only changed its name, same for Thunderbird and Seamonkey.

Read more here:
http://berkano.net/bits/2006/10/12/f...kill-iceweasel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naming_...an_and_Mozilla

Ok--here's my vote:

It seems that Debian is the only distro that has an issue with Firefox. I am used to using Firefox, and it is past annoying to be out distro-hopping and run into the Debian issue--whatever it is. So my vote is that Debian should fix it ---so everyone can worry about something that has a fighting chance of improving my Linux productivity.

So there......

well it's not Firefox they didn't like, they are simply following the dfsg. I can't say it's a bad thing for a project to write a contract and stick to it, instead of being wishy washy and changing their views every time they hit a snag, like some politicians :)

Iceweasel with the useragent changed to Firefox, in order to get Google extensions to install. Other than that Iceweasel IS Firefox, I could care less what its called. They both work the same, I know I ran the same version of Mozilla's Firefox and the debian version for 3 yrs not once did I notice anything different in page rendering, speed, crashes, etc.

Generated: Thu Nov 29 2007 15:06:29 GMT-0500 (EST)
User Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux i686; en-US; rv:1.8.1.10) Gecko/20071115 Firefox/2.0.0.10 (Debian-2.0.0.10-2)
Build ID: 2007111502

Enabled Extensions: [22]
- Bookmark Duplicate Detector 0.6.3
- ColorfulTabs 2.0.7
- CookieSafe 2.0.6
- Copy URL + 1.3.2
- Flashblock 1.5.4.1
- FlashGot 0.7
- Google Notebook 1.0.0.18
- Google Toolbar for Firefox 3.0.20070525L
- Greasemonkey 0.7.20070607.0
- InfoLister 0.9f.2
- Konquefox 1.3
- Mouse Gestures 1.5.2
- MR Tech Local Install 5.3.2.6
- Nightly Tester Tools 1.3b1
- NoScript 1.1.8.3
- PDF Download 0.9.3.2
- sidux Forums Menu 0.22
- Stylish 0.5.3
- Tabbrowser Preferences 1.3.1.1
- Torbutton 1.0.4
- translator 1.0.4.3
- United States English Dictionary 2.0.0.6

Disabled Extensions: [2]
- ChatZilla 0.9.79
- Gmail Space 0.5.92

Total Extensions: 24

Installed Themes: [2]
- Iceweasel (default)
- Mostly Crystal 2.0.0.17

Installed Plugins: (11)
- Adobe Reader 8.0
- DivX Browser Plug-In
- Helix DNA Plugin: RealPlayer G2 Plug-In Compatible
- Java(TM) Plug-in 1.6.0_03-b05
- MozPlugger 1.8.0 handles QuickTime and Windows Media Player Plugin
- mplayerplug-in 3.45
- OpenOffice.org Plug-in
- QuickTime Plug-in 6.0 / 7
- RealPlayer 9
- Shockwave Flash
- Windows Media Player Plugin

Brian McKenna Weblog » 5 Reasons to Support IceWeasel
http://brianmckenna.org/blog/linux/5...ort-iceweasel/

GNU Gnuzilla and IceWeasel
http://www.gnu.org/software/gnuzilla/

Facts about Debian and Mozilla® Firefox®
http://times.debian.net/1022-iceweasel

GNU IceWeasel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_IceWeasel

Iceweasel and User Agents
http://www.geticeweasel.org/useragent/

Personally I would worry about using a browser or pretty much any package that doesn't get security updates from Debian.

My understanding too. I'm very often on the BTS and there had been conflicts about how mozilla manages their patches.

+1 to you


+2 then


There is nothing to fix. People who don't understand why Debian HAD to take iceweasel shouldn't waste their time with debian.
Also http://www.us.debian.org/social_contract
Please read five times the first point.

I use Iceweasel cause it's free, it's maintained by Debian and it's in the repositories.

Btw, you forget the (c) or (r) next to firefox, it's not legal!

I see in the near future this thread getting at least 4 pages :)

Iceweasel for me - there is no perceivable difference really other than the name. Iceweasel actually seems better than other distros' versions of Firefox. :)

I run Fire Fox 2.0.0.10 on my Slackware box and Ice Weasel 2.0.0.8 on my Etch/Lenny boxes. I agree with craigevil, I don't notice any difference between the two. Fire Fox or Ice Weasel, I don't really care what the browser is called, it does the job for me. Ice Weasel is an excellent browser.

I'm using Iceweasel because that is what came with Debian Etch, and I see no real advantage to switching. I'm still able to use the Firefox add-ons, and have yet to have a problem accessing a site that Firefox is also able to view. Anyway, the "weasel's" kinda cute!

I use iceweasel but have heard (not experienced) that iceweasel isn't updated as much as firefox because the developers take longer to issue the updates... not sure whether that's a good thing or not.

I have firefox at work (xp) and the damn thing has updated every day for the last week. drives me nuts. I want it to be secure and all - but geeze.

Don't notice a difference. BTW: when I switched to debian the whole iceweasel thing through me for a loop. Couldn't figure out what the hell this new thing was and why I couldn't get firefox from the repos.

Firefox/Iceweasel at least in Debian Sid tends to be updated within a day or two of the Mozilla Firefox.

I use Firefox because it comes with Fedora. The idea of removing the proprietary components is admirable, maybe Firefox should consider this.

Poll completely irrelevant and even more because probably a lot users that voted are not using Debian.

Awesome.
Etch now has Ice Weasel 2.0.0.10; I just updated my Etch box at home this morning:-) On Monday I have 9 Etch boxes to update at work:-)

voted iceweasel. though in reality it is swiftfox i use. but before swift it was weasel so i think its still an accurate vote.

ofc it is all one thing in the end really

Why couldn't they just put Firefox in non-free? Or did they feel that it was important enough that it needed to be in main?

I use iceweasel as it comes with Debian although it's not default either to Gnome or KDE. But I sure would love to use Firefox as it's the parent browser and I have been using it for a long time on Windows.
Why can't Debian fix the thing with Mozilla!

Ice Weasel is Fire Fox. The only thing different between the two browsers is the name and logo/artwork. All of the regular Fire Fox add-ons, plug-ins work just fine in Ice Weasel. The difference in name, artwork between the two browsers in a non-issue for me.

The main problem was that mozilla would not allow Debian to apply it's security updates to the package without going through mozilla first if Debian was to use ther firefox name.

This slows down (and gives Debian little control) over how quickly - or even if - they can patch a vonurability.

This is not true - I have found many times themes and extension will not work because I am using IW rather than FF. Prime example is me trying to install an extension for exporting message filters on IceDove. I know IceDove is not in question but it falls under the same ridiculous naming scheme as IW.

I think Debian should just pass FF and TB back in...its just confusing for many and annoying for the rest.

Interesting. I guess I've been lucky with the add-ons and extensions I've chosen for IW. Which mozilla extentions fail?

I am assuming you question which IW ext. fail. I had a few that said "<ext. name> does not support IW" however I have to look on my work PC as that is where I have them listed.

I just think this whole IW vs FF draws confusion and makes things more political than they have to be...

Thanks for the reply:-)
Agreed, I also think the political re-naming thing is a bit odd and muddies the waters a bit. IW and FF.....great software whatever it is called:-)

I'm using Debian/Iceweasel for the same reason that I don't use Ubuntu/Firefox and prefer not to have "non-free" in my sources.list. In other words, I fully support free software and the Debian social contract. Anyone who doesn't get this may be using the wrong distro. Personally, I have had no issues whatsoever with IW. :twocents:

I know IceWeasel is FireFox. And it's all about the names that are different. But then, name is a factor for me. I'm using IceWeasel alright, even with a few add-ons from the home of FireFox! And it's where my ego suffers a little: the name FireFox has more appeal to me. Any one may of course think otherwise.

I use both IW and FF because they are both outstanding browsers. I understand all about the philosophical rationale for the re-naming, re-branding of software. I just don't care that much about this issue; I'm a pragmatic person. I use Debian because it functions very well.

I use whatever's supported in the repositories. Iceweasel on Debian and Firefox for Ubuntu.

In about:config set general.useragent.extra.firefox to Firefox/2.0.0.6 (or whatever you're using)

The Mr. Tech local install plugin has a "make compatible" feature you can use to override plugin compatibility checking if you know what you're doing.

It's got a ton of handy power tools that you probobly want

http://www.mrtech.com/extensions/local_install/

The other major difference between IW and FF is pango. The debian package actually supports more languages and character sets than firefox does by using the pango gnome component. This can add overhead and slow down font rendering if you are not in gnome.

If you don't need it, it can be disabled by putting the following line in /etc/iceweasel/iceweaselrc:
MOZ_DISABLE_PANGO=1

There IS a KEY difference!! Please NOTE!!
 

I have noted similar differences myself, having Iceweasel natively installed on my Debian-BASED(THANK YOU Randicus Draco Albus for that correction.) Kali Linux installation..for many reasons which are nicely laid upon the kalilinux site ..page entitled What's New..Anyway. Originally, I wondered why this could possibly be..I'm used to hearing that Firefox is the best browser and for many reasons listed above, I would be keen to believe so myself..but I had to do my research.. and quickly came to this conclusion in regards to security, which is the purpose of using Kali Linux (being a Debian build -- Pentration Testing Platform) ..so I am personally sticking with it..imma weasel my way into this one.. As this is my first post and I do find nice postings on this site I am sorry for any inconsistencies to "post-regulation" ..hope this is the answer someone was looking for:

Iceweasel is a fork [from Firefox] with the following purpose :

backporting of security fixes to declared Debian stable version.
no inclusion of trademarked Mozilla artwork (because of #1 above)

Beyond that, they will be basically identical. (quoting Roberto C. Sanchez post in debian-devel mailing list)

1) Thank you for resurrecting a thread that died six years. :rolleyes:
2) You are correct that Iceweasel is Firefox, but . . .
3) Kali is not Debian. It is a Debian derivative. As such, direct comparisons between the two must be made with caution.

I started using Iceweasel because it had a 64bit version before Firefox did (this was some time ago). The negative side was that Iceweasel's versions tended to lag behind the Firefox ones (at least for Debian Testing). So I installed Firefox alongside of Iceweasel for a while. Basically I use Iceweasel because it gets updated along with all my other packages. I don't need to do anything special. It behaves just like any other package.
jdk

Right now although I like firefox, I prefer to just use iceweasel just so I don't have to manually update.

I think the 64 bit version of Firefox Nightly must have been out a fair amount of time before the 64 bit version of Iceweasel as one of the reasons I ended up using Firefox nightly was to get a 64 bit browser. I still use Nightly now for no other reason than because I can.

Considering that Debian's packages, even in Unstable, lag behind upstream versions, it would definitely be surprising for Debian to have more up-to-date packages than those provided by upstream developers.

Iceweasel is compiled/built on Debian. I do not know what Linux distro Firefox is built on, but Iceweasel runs smoother than Firefox does.

i removed IW and installed FF.

my online bankings constant nag screen about not using a IE or FF compatible browser forced me to remove IW and install FF.

Even compiling with the default flags, I've found Firefox to run smoother for me compared to IW, for my experience at least. But this was back when both were in the 3.6-ish era. Not sure if IW does this, but newer versions of Firefox seem to go crazy with CPU and memory if left running for over a week.

When I used IW, all I had to do was change the user agent to Firefox, and everything worked.