How do I install the Latest version of Firefox & Java?

marinegruntswife · 07-27-2010, 11:54 PM

I have a Dell Mini n Series & am currently running Ubuntu 8.4, what would be the best way for me to download a newer version of Firefox & Java?

zirias · 07-28-2010, 01:06 AM

Option 1.) Use your package manager and look for an update/upgrade command. It will download the latest versions of all installed software available in your current distribution.

Option 2.) If you really need a newer version than available in ubuntu, first uninstall firefox and java in your package manager. Then download them from the respective sites (mozilla.com and java.com) in .tar.gz or .tar.bz2 format. (For java, look for the JRE package, you don't need JDK unless you want to program in java). On a command prompt, do the following:

Code:

cd /opt
sudo tar xf /path/to/firefox-xyz.tar.bz2
sudo tar xf /path/to/java-xyz.tar.bz2
cd firefox/plugins
sudo ln -s ../../jre/plugin/i386/ns7/libjavaplugin_oji.so
cd /usr/local/bin
sudo ln -s /opt/firefox/firefox

Check the paths, they could be slightly different on your system.

Aquarius_Girl · 07-28-2010, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marinegruntswife

what would be the best way for me to download a newer version of Firefox

Though you are free to follow what your heart says ...
This is what I do:
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...eginners-2670/

jay73 · 07-28-2010, 01:18 AM

Before proceeding, let me repeat the advice given in another thread: if you really have only so little space available, it may be better to install a different OS. Lubuntu, for example, is much smaller and it is still based on the latest ubuntu so you'd be able to get a recent firefox and java without having to jump through any loops.
http://lubuntu.net/blog/lubuntu-1004...lable-download

If that is not possible, then you will have to install firefox and java manually. There are various ways of doing so and some have been posted above. A further alternative:
Get Firefox here:
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/personal.html
then:
- extract the firefox folder from the downloaded tar.bz2 archive (select by right-clicking and then use "extract here")
- move it your /home folder
- create an icon: right-click your desktop, select "create launcher" and fill out the dialog box:
name : Firefox
command: ~/firefox/firefox
comment: whatever you like, this is optional
If you click OK, an icon will be placed on your desktop.
(You could add it to your menu or panel, too, if you wish).

Java is harder to set up. Download the JRE from:
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/ja...ndex.html#need
Make sure to get the "self-extracting" (=.bin) version, not the "rpm" version of the JRE (not the JDK). Then:
- move it to your home folder
- open a terminal
- run this command in the terminal: chmod a+x jre*bin
- then, again in the terminal: ./jre*bin
- if some sort of EULA pops up, scroll through using the ENTER key and accept
- your jre will be extracted from the bin archive (bin can now be deleted if you want to save space)
- create a symbolic link to the firefox plugins directory by using these commands:
cd firefox/firefox/plugins && ln -s name_of_JRE_folder/lib/i386/libnpjp2.so .
(of course, you'll need to replace (name_of_JRE_folder with the actual name of the thing).

zirias · 07-28-2010, 01:19 AM

Hi anisha,

it's really nice to provide such a detailed description and probably helps some ppl in understanding what they do.

But I disagree with two of your decisions:

1. removing the original /usr/bin/firefox is not the right thing to do, /usr/bin should stay under control of the distributions package manager, so either leave the firefox there alone (/usr/local/bin is found first anyway), or use the distribiution's package manager to cleanly uninstall firefox.

2. the tar to extract firefox should be done by root, so no user can overwrite firefox-files for security reasons -- the best place to extract it to would then be /opt.

Aquarius_Girl · 07-28-2010, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zirias

Hi anisha,

it's really nice to provide such a detailed description and probably helps some ppl in understanding what they do.

But I disagree with two of your decisions:

1. removing the original /usr/bin/firefox is not the right thing to do, /usr/bin should stay under control of the distributions package manager, so either leave the firefox there alone (/usr/local/bin is found first anyway), or use the distribiution's package manager to cleanly uninstall firefox.

2. the tar to extract firefox should be done by root, so no user can overwrite firefox-files for security reasons -- the best place to extract it to would then be /opt.

Commenting about that blog in this thread is not appropriate, I think it will be better if you post your comments in the blog it self.
That way all the discussions regarding that blog will be at one place.

zirias · 07-28-2010, 01:35 AM

anisha, I see very similar concerns already mentioned there, so I just want to warn ppl reading THIS thread about possible shortcomings.

Aquarius_Girl · 07-28-2010, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zirias

anisha, I see very similar concerns already mentioned there, so I just want to warn ppl reading THIS thread about possible shortcomings.

But I still think it will be much better if you could post these comments in that blog, and if you really think that blog is not well written, I shall modify my Post 3 and remove my suggestion w.r.t that blog.

zirias · 07-28-2010, 01:41 AM

anisha, I think it IS well written -- it's just these two decisions I'd strongly suggest to reconsider in order not to mess with any distribution's package management and to improve security. If you really need these in your blog, I'll post them now.

Aquarius_Girl · 07-28-2010, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zirias

If you really need these in your blog, I'll post them now.

Kindly go ahead and post there

mrmnemo · 07-28-2010, 11:40 AM

Hi,

You have more than likely fixed / addressed your issue by now; however, if not I have some input for you.
If you must run the older LTS version of ubuntu then you can just try and update using PPA's. Since I am not sure if this problem has been solved a link to the how to is all your getting. If you wish I can walk you through it. The PPA for mozzilla-stable will address your concerns AND allow for automatic updates and dependence fixes.

Link: https://edge.launchpad.net/+help/soy...rces-list.html . Your gonna want to read that link.

mrmnemo · 07-28-2010, 09:40 PM

did you get your problem solved?

marinegruntswife · 07-29-2010, 12:12 AM

Yes, thank you all for the advice & tips. I am going to try to install a newer version of my OS & hopefully I will have adequate space. I am also going to get some extra hard drive space so I can keep from having the performance/gb issues. Again, thank you all for the advice.

marinegruntswife · 07-29-2010, 01:09 AM

I have a question, jay73, I tried to use the first link http://lubuntu.net/blog/lubuntu-1004...lable-download. I tried to use the download in the link & when it got to 37 seconds remaining I got an error message that said

"There is not enough room on the disk to save /home/rebekah/Desktop/lubuntu-10.04(2).iso.part.

Remove unnecessary files from the disk and try again, or try saving in a different location."

Any idea what I should do to be able to fully download that version? Thanks in advance.

jay73 · 07-29-2010, 01:28 AM

Well, apparently you have so little space left that it's not enough to store your download. I don't know whether you have previously downloaded things. If you did, you could move them out of the way, put them on a cd or a flash drive or whatever. That might free up just enough space. If not, you'll need to think of another way to do the download. Something like a removable hard drive, a flash drive, maybe download to a different computer. Or you could go to the Ubuntu site and request a free cd (it could take a few weeks to arrive, though). See "request cd" section" for details: http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/cds
And maybe you can pick up some additional ideas from here:
http://www.ubuntumini.com/2008/09/ge...tu-guides.html