Firefox, why two versions

I was under the impression that Firefox 1.5.0.8 was supposed to be a release that made it possible to upgrade to version 2.x. I installed it and expected the next notify message to be telling me to download and install version 2 something. However, I have been notified and installed 1.5.0.9 & 10. Now I am getting notified that 1.5.0.11 is available.
Why are there two different versions?
What are the major advantages / improvements offered in version 2?
Is there any good reason to stay with version 1.5?

Thank you for any information that will clear up my confusion.
Gordon

 

Hi Gordon,

I really don't know why the Mozilla Foundation has continued to support and update FF 1.5.x, as they continually urge users to move to FF 2.0.x. This is what they're currently saying:

Firefox 1.5.0.x will be maintained with security and stability updates until April 24, 2007. All users are strongly encouraged to upgrade to Firefox 2 (now at 2.0.0.3).​

I've been using FF2.0 for months, with no problems, now that the extensions I use have been upgraded to work with it.

IMHO, there's really no good reason for you to stay with 1.5.x and not move to 2.0.

 

Thanks Jim

I appreciate your opinion, so I will take your advice and upgrade to the latest release of Firefox 2.

Thanks, Gordon

 

Hi Gordon,

You might want to read through this thread on Mozillazine's Firefox forum to see how others have gone about it.

In a nutshell, install 2.0.0.3 into a new program folder, with a new profile. This is easiest if you use the "Custom ", rather than the default "Standard" installation.