Firefox 3.0.12 Released

This may seem like old news, considering that FF is now up to 3.5.1, but Mozilla recently released FF 3.0.12, an update to FF 3.0. I had a devil of a time finding it, but you can download it here.

According to CNET.news, "Security and stability fixes for the 3.0.x series will end in January 2010. "

 

Jim,
Under Help there is a line "Check for Updates ". When you clicked on that it did not bring up the 3.0.12 update? I always use that feature and have never had to locate an update. Are you using 3.5.1?

 

Hi Bob,

I had already upgraded to 3.5.1 when I read in a newsletter about the 3.0.12 upgrade. I have both 3.0 and 3.5 installed, and don't remember which I was using at the time.

If you click on "Check for Updates" using 3.5.1, it will tell you that no updates are available. If you do it using 3.0.12, it will tell you that 3.5.1 is the latest update, and I'm guessing that, if you did it with 3.0.11, you would still get the 3.5.1 response. I'll reinstall 3.0.11 and check, just to satisfy your curiosity (and mine ), then post back.

EDIT:As it happens, you were right, and my guess was wrong. Clicking on "Check for Updates" in 3.0.11 does, indeed, refer you to 3.0.12. I guess that just proves that we really do learn something new each day.

 

Hi Jim,
I did do that before I made the post and the update was for 3.0.12, not 3.51. I'll try it again and see if it now has 3.51.
Do you like 3.51? The reason I have hesitated to upgrade is because an add-on of NAV will not work with 3.5 and I am waiting for them to fix the problem.

 

Hi Bob,

Apparently we cross-posted there. Yes, I do like 3.5.1, as I find it to be much faster than 3.0.x. Not all of my previously used extensions will work with it, but that's just given me good reason to weed them out.

I have one other problem with it, but I think that's because of my system, rather than with FF 3.5.x (although it may also be caused by a problem extension). I'll post the details if you're sufficiently interested.

 

Hi Jim,
I would be interested in the other problem with 3.5, but it is not necessary for an elaborate explanation - just briefly since I rarely use add-ons and extensions.

 

Hi Bob,

Briefly, it's this ... 3.5.1 opens normally after I boot the computer (as did 3.5). If I close it and try to restart it, as after installing an extension, it won't re-open, even though the TaskManager indicates that it's running.

After shutting it down in TaskManager, I can re-open it in FF safe mode, which gives me access to my bookmarks, but none of my extensions. If I then shut it down, occasionally it will re-open normally but, more often than not, it won't.

Or, instead of opening it in safe mode, I can open 3.0.12, which seems to open and work normally all the time. If I then close 3.0.12, sometimes 3.5.1 will re-open normally. The only way I can be sure that it will open normally is to reboot the computer.

The reason I said in my previous post that it might be a system problem is because occasionally other programs will refuse to open, as well, and a reboot seems to be the only remedy at present.

The reason I said that the 3.5.1 problem might be caused by an extension is because it will open in safe mode every time ... BUT, each extension seems to be working properly.

My best guess is that a format of my C: drive and the re-installation of all my programs is in the not too distant future.

 

I have 3.0.12, still, as default. As for 3.5.1, I have not had any trouble. I am using the same profile which I had created, separately for 3.1 nightlies (3.1 became 3.5, somewhere down the line). I have installed the Quick Restart add-on in all my Firefoxes.
As for speed, I don't find 3.5.1 any faster than 3.0.12. Not sure how it would be measured.

 

Perhaps it's perceived speed, as 3.5.1 certainly seems to open pages more quickly.

 

I am using 3.5.1 right now, and I am happy with it. But, I cannot perceive differences between the two version, since they cannot be opened at the same time, as far as I know.
But Mozilla swears that 3.5.1 is faster!

 

The Quick Restart extension is redundant and unnecessary if you use MR Tech Toolkit which, IMHO, is the one "must-have" extension. It's not only an extensions manager, but it provides the restart capability right on its extension list.

In fact, I'm not certain that a restart button isn't available on the customization sheet.

EDIT:Nope, 'tisn't.