Firefox churns to version 2.0.0.11

Mozilla's bug-munching mascot

(Credit: Mozilla)

Mozilla on Friday released the third update to Firefox this month, version 2.0.0.11, to fix a stability problem in the previous version.

"We strongly recommend that all Firefox users upgrade to this latest release," a post on the Firefox developer blog said.

The open-source Web browser update arrived swiftly after version 2.0.0.8, released October 18, version 2.0.0.9 from November 1, and version 2.0.0.10 from November 26. Which explains why I'm getting a lot of software update messages from my Web browser.

Version 2.0.0.10 broke a feature that lets images be displayed with special effects such as rotated pictures and image reflections, according to Mozilla's bug-tracking site. The problem was fixed within a day and distributed within five, but not before some whose sites were affected by the bug had voiced frustration.

"Customers are complaining because their Firefox automatically updated to 2.0.0.10 and now they can no longer order photo prints in our shop. I think this is a very serious problem and I hope it will be fixed immediately in a 2.0.0.11 update," a post by Klaus Reimer said.

In an indirect response, Firefox coder Nick Thomas pointed to mailing lists that people can use to test their sites with imminent new Firefox versions. Thomas also said that the five-day turnaround is "the fastest turnaround between Firefox releases to date."

As long as the Mozilla coders are stamping out bugs, one that's annoyed me has become more prominent of late because it shows up when I install a Firefox update.

When I restore my Firefox browser sessions upon rebooting my computer, it's impossible to get rid of the "You've been updated to the latest version of Firefox" page. Even if I close that tab, it comes back later, so I have to start with a clean browsing slate to make it go away. It's not a stability or security problem, but it's not a credit to what is a notably influential project.

Mozilla released the first beta version of Firefox 3, called Gran Paradiso, less than two weeks ago. The second Firefox 3 beta should be done in "late December" if all goes well, according to another Mozilla developer blog post Friday.

[RandyWill]

Disable Automatic Updates

That is why I disable all automatic updates. I've had issues numerous times with applications after an update. Update notification is okay, since you ultimately have control to apply the update. I usually wait awhile before applying any updates for an application.

[Mike E.]

And when do you install it?

Not installing automatic updates is good at work, when you have IT department that tests compatibility of update with all the applications, and tells when everything is OK.

It does not work for individual user, as he does not have IT department, and the list of "applications" he uses is very diverse and includes dozens of web sites. Who will test them all and say when it is OK to upgrade?

So what are the user options with Firefox? Either auto-update or don't update at all, and be vulnerable to dozens of Firefox security bugs. Delaying updates by about a week might help a little bit, but not always.

[Bill_I]

Auto update policy

I agree with your conservative approach to updates, there is no reason to gamble at the bleeding edge. More than once I have booted up a seldom used spare box to go back to the future. (W2K)

[Stating]

Lots Of Crashes Since .10

Ever since the .10 release I've had a lot of browser crashes. Now I'm going to have to go through the mess of completely uninstalling, reinstalling, importing bookmarks, password manager, applying customizations, reinstalling add-ins, etc. What a complete waste of time.

[ramudd]

Unstable System?????

Have you considered that your system may be unstable or perhaps the add-ins or other things you are doing to customize Firefox. I have NEVER had a crash of Firefox and I have been running it since it came out. Works great Stable too. Of course I don't customize it with add-ins and crap like that, just pure Firefox. Fantastic.

[jscott418]

Not enough testing done

I think all software is becoming more complex and needs to be
tested much longer then what is being done. My question is why is
Mozilla talking about Firefox 3 when 2.0 is still being perfected?
Should we not get one working really good first?