I've been using Mandriva since January and I thought I'd contribute something back to this distro.
NOTE ON x86_64 DISTROS!
You should do this if you have Mandriva 64-bit distro since Java, Macromedia, and Firefox seem to work ok only in 32-bit mode. There isn't a Java plugin for 64-bit or a flashplayer
So this is my first HOWTO, that will teach you how to have the best browser online, I will complete this howto later, but this few steps should be enough
1) don't worry about RPM updates for firefox, java, flash player, real player (even adobe acrobat). Just download the official release at
www.getfirefox.com, and install it from source. It's as easy as installing in on Windows
I have Firefox 1.5 installed at /home/programs/firefox-1.5.0
2) Understand were firefox loads the plugins from. If you want Firefox 1.0.6 (the one that came with Mandriva 2006) and Firefox 1.5.0 to use the same plugins, all you have to do is link the Firefox 1.5.0 plugin directory to the Firefox 1.0.6 directory
In my example all I do is this
# cd /home/programs/firefox/
# mv -v backup backup.original
# ln -sv /usr/lib/mozilla-firefox-1.0.6/plugins/ ./
3) For Java, visit
http://www.java.com, download the rpm.bin, installation is very easy
4) for flash, visit
http://www.macromedia.com, download and install the plugin, again, very easy
5) for real player, visit
http://www.real.com, install Real Player for Linux (RealPlayer10Gold.bin)
6) Download Adobe Acrobat reader from
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html
Installation should also be very easy
7) you can double check your plugins directory, here is a list of mine (I've highlighted the ones I've instaleld myself):
flashplayer.xpt*
libflashplayer.so*
libjavaplugin_oji.so
nphelix.so
nphelix.xpt
nppdf.so
You can also launch firefox and enter this in the URL field:
aboutlugins
*Updated March 8th
8) Now go to
www.getfirefox.com and install the following extensions:
Adblock (block ads from the pages you want)
Adblock Filterset.G Updated (auto-update adblock rules)
Colorful Tabs (do you need an explanation for this?)
Fasterfox (browse pages faster)
Forecastfox (check the weather in your city)
FoxyTunes (control amarok from firefox)
NoScript (control which pages have JavaScript permission)
PDF Download (choose to either read or save to disk a PDF file)
BetterSearch (thumbnails for Google searches, cool!)
DownThemAll (download files even from previous firefox sessions)
Extensions for webmasters
Adsense Preview
Web Developer
***NEW***
Bookmark Synchronizer III - I use both Linux and Windows on my machines since those OS are meant for different purposes. Windows is very good for video games (allthough I've been able to play several EA Sports titles on Linux, but this is for another post) but horrible for security. So sometimes I use Linux (ex. bank, paypal...) and to work mostly. But sometimes I do use Windows, or I use a computer that's not at home and I want my bookmarks to be the same everywhere
For this issue you need Bookmark Synchronizer III. When you finish installing it, you need to restart Firefox, then go to:
Bookmarks->
Synchronize Bookmarks.
In the
Basic Tab, check the
FTP option
Enter the following information:
Host: ftp.yoursite.com
User: ftpuser
Password: blabla
Patch: /xbel is fine
Since I have a webserver all I did was create a 'bookmarks' user, assigned a password and then I make sure the following checkboxes are enabled:
Auto download on startup
Auto upload on exit
Cancel uploading if the folder has not been modified
Merge new data into current bookmarks (very usefull the first times you do this)
That way when I use firefox 1.0.6 or firefox 1.7 on Mandriva, or Firefox 1.7 on Windows, or Firefox 1.0.7 at my office's server (SuSE) I always have my bookmarks up to date.
9)please note that mplayer plugins and all the other plugins installed from URPMI should also be available since your plugin directory is actually the same as the one that came with Mandriva 2006
10 Now go to:
System ->
Configuration ->
Configure your computer
In the Mandriva Linux Control Center, select
System ->
Select the application menu layout and change... and select 'System Menu' when prompted.
Select
Environment ->
All Environment so that your changes will affect KDE, GNOME and any other window manager.
Now go to
Internet ->
Web Browsers and click on
Add Application
Here is what I entered in order to have a new shortcut for Firefox 1.5
Name: Firefox 1.5
Long Title: Mozilla Firefox 1.5.0
Command: /home/programs/firefox-1.5.0/firefox
In KDE you can even use the Quick Launcher Applet, and then add the new Firefox 1.5 application to the taskbar. You can also use the
Configure your desktop KDE control panel in order to assign a hotkey to your new firefox binary. Just go to
System ->
KHotKeys
I hope you find this HOWTO usefull