Firefox Browser Between Distros, Browser Related Questions

Gainer

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Concerning the performance/spooling challenges discussed in another posting, and following through with the many suggestions, I extended testing to other browsers as suggested. If testing what may seem to be browser related issues, I keep a library of 8 up to date browsers with no additional extensions (portable as to not cross-contaminate) available to test before I request assistance.

In this instance, I did not go further than Firefox as it is the default installed browser in Ubuntu 24.x.x and Linux Mint Wilma. One person suggested to try different browsers. I tried the same test with Brave with the same consistent results, no spooling or slowdown.

Most of the solutions offered were Swapfile/Swap partition related. RAM or the lack of, even though I mentioned I had 16GB installed with never less than 12GB available.

My network, both WiFi and Cat6, and Internet infrastructures are fully tested by my self once a month and on-site by an outside source once a year. My ISP has replaced their hardware including the router, indoor wiring and outside hardware with in the last 18 – 24 months. I pay for a Fiber Optic 100/20 connection. Very clean connection with little to no errors. It is a consistent 85% to 110%… or nothing. The reality of a remote, harsh area. The ISP provides me with a static IP for a bit of my feedback. Inside network is also assigned static IP, instead of on DHCP… because I can.:)

DO NOT try or consider anything I have found without your own verification. There are bound to be more or different findings along with possible solutions. – just please consider this is what a newbie found and I would love to read your observations. There are year long "Battles" about Firefox and Linux (Mint and Ubuntu)

My 6 week old Linux Mint 22.x.x and Ubuntu 24.x.x both have preinstalled Firefox Browser and LibreOffice along with much more. Seems like a cool idea to add value by helping newbies and windows refuges become productive. For me, all was fine until I wanted to stream football using my Amazon account.

=============== S U M M A R Y ====================================
When Firefox came preinstalled with Linux Mint was long before my time (years ago).There seems to be a special Firefox version built for Linux Mint only. Same with Ubuntu only.

At the top of the Settings page for Firefox, it states “Updates disabled by your administrator". And under Help→ About Firefox...
Screenshot from 2024-11-27 14-27-23.png


Screenshot from 2024-11-27 03-47-43.png

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Screenshot from 2024-11-27 03-56-06.png

It seems the Ubuntu version may update automatically while the LinuxMint version is a manual update.

IMO, the problems/errors/failures to the “Play” when trying to use Amazon Prime seems to be isolated to the “Special version of Firefox that comes preinstalled in LinuxMint 22. If not kept updated to the most current version, Amazon seems to know and Errors-Out.

If Firefox for LinuxMint is currently up to date – NO PROBLEMS VIEWING. Instant load, fast play. Made a few changes in About:Config and blazing results.

Even after a Manual update, I changed browser Settings to what I have used for years. I have not found how to make these setting persistent from session to session. Some settings will revert to Firefox/Linux agreed setting while I look on others in the next session. (see above screenshots)

Firefox/LinuxMint seems to define what Cookies and History are kept and for how long, regardless of your preferences. I also read that they say this is to serve me better. Sounds all too Microsoft for me.

In both Ubuntu 24 and Mint Wilma distros, LibreOffice is preinstalled. I also found some preferences and setting locked against change.

I found the explanation of much of this on the LinuxMint website HERE

My solution may be uninstall both Firefox and LibreOffice – Reinstall a regular version of Firefox. Get auto updates and my preference settings on Cookies and History. If not I'll just dump Firefox.

With LibreOffice I only need Write and Calc. Check to see preference choices are allowed. If not, dump LibreOffice.

Firefox and LinuxMint could not provide a combined install value without both parties agreeing to the terms.
Wondering about LinuxMint and/or Firefox acting like Microsoft – I will not stand for it and may have to dump LinuxMint too.

Thank you @wizardfromoz @bob466 @Trenix25 @Fanboi @Condobloke @Aristarchus
 

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In so many ways I am my own worst enemy.
Yes, at times
It seems the Ubuntu version may update automatically while the LinuxMint version is a manual update.
The version of Firefox in ubuntu 24.04 is a Snap package.

personally I dislike Snap anything. So does Clem from Linux Mint. His reasoning is below

Snap Store​

The Snap Store is disabled. For more information on this or to re-enable it read https://linuxmint-user-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/snap.html. .......which says:

Snap Store

The Snap Store, also known as the Ubuntu Store, is a commercial centralized software store operated by Canonical.
Similar to AppImage or Flatpak the Snap Store is able to provide up to date software no matter what version of Linux you are running and how old your libraries are.

Criticism

Centralized control

Anyone can create APT repositories and distribute software freely. Users can point to multiple repositories and define priorities. Thanks to the way APT works, if a bug isn’t fixed upstream, Debian can fix it with a patch. If Debian doesn’t, Ubuntu can. If Ubuntu doesn’t Linux Mint can. If Linux Mint doesn’t, anyone can, and not only can they fix it, they can distribute it with a PPA.
Flatpak isn’t as flexible. Still, anyone can distribute their own Flatpaks. If Flathub decides they don’t want to do this or that, anyone else can create another Flatpak repository. Flatpak itself can point to multiple sources and doesn’t depend on Flathub.
Although it is open-source, Snap on the other hand, only works with the Ubuntu Store. Nobody knows how to make a Snap Store and nobody can. The Snap client is designed to work with only one source, following a protocol which isn’t open, and using only one authentication system. Snapd is nothing on its own, it can only work with the Ubuntu Store.
This is a store we can’t audit, which contains software nobody can patch. If we can’t fix or modify software, open-source or not, it provides the same limitations as proprietary software.

Backdoor via APT

When Snap was introduced Canonical promised it would never replace APT. This promise was broken. Some APT packages in the Ubuntu repositories not only install snap as a dependency but also run snap commands as root without your knowledge or consent and connect your computer to the remote proprietary store operated by Canonical.

Disabled Snap Store in Linux Mint 20

Following the decision made by Canonical to replace parts of APT with Snap and have the Ubuntu Store install itself without users knowledge or consent, the Snap Store is forbidden to be installed by APT in Linux Mint 20.
Note
For more information read the announcements made in May 2020 and June 2019.

How to install the Snap Store in Linux Mint 20

Recommended or not, if you want to use the Snap Store, re-enabling and installing it is very easy.
sudo rm /etc/apt/preferences.d/nosnap.pref
apt update
apt install snapd

Take another look at the facts....the microsftesque attitude comes from Ubuntu, I believe....not Linux Mint
 
All this is your call, of course

As Clem says at the bottom of that article..:

"Recommended or not, if you want to use the Snap Store, re-enabling and installing it is very easy."

Linux is about choice.
 
... and on

It seems the Ubuntu version may update automatically while the LinuxMint version is a manual update.

No - they both will appear in your list of updates as they are added to your repositories.

They are the same Firefox, just with distro-centric badging.

Friday in Oz so

Avagudweegend, all
 
No - they both will appear in your list of updates as they are added to your repositories.

IIRC, if Firefox is installed as a Snap it will update automatically, checking twice a day for update.

I think...

That could be what they're referring to. I'm not 100% certain.

Also, I have internet again.
 
Silly me, forgot about the Snap factor on Ubuntu, I always remove it.

I've grown to 'not mind them'. I see and get their point but I'm relatively indifferent when it comes to how my software is packaged. So long as I can make it work, it's all good.
 
One way to eliminate the update issue whether snap or anything else is to add the Mozilla Repository here and install it from Mozilla directly - this is for the Non-ESR version - the ESR version is your OS repository dependent
 


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