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Technical Help & Discussion => Broadband, Networking, PC Security, Internet & ISPs => Topic started by: Simon on October 06, 2011, 22:58

Title: Stealth Firefox updates to cure permissions fatigue
Post by: Simon on October 06, 2011, 22:58
Mozilla is considering “silent” updates for its Firefox browser in a bid to prevent update fatigue among users.

With a six-week upgrade cycle in its browser, Mozilla said it wanted to take the annoyance out of updating the software by preventing Windows from always asking for permission for new versions.

“The rapid release process has some very positive side effects, like delivering new web technologies faster, and attracting world class developers who like to see their code ship fast," said Brian Bondy, lead developer on the project, in a blog post. "But rapid releases also have some negative side effects."

“One of the negative side effects is that minor annoyances with software updates suddenly become much more noticeable," Bondy said. "Most users don’t want to think about software updates nor version numbers, and now they are being forced to do so every six weeks.”

Read more: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/370375/stealth-firefox-updates-to-cure-permissions-fatigue
Title: Re: Stealth Firefox updates to cure permissions fatigue
Post by: GillE on October 07, 2011, 00:11
Blimey - is Mozilla trying to make Google and Microsoft look like the good guys?
Title: Re: Stealth Firefox updates to cure permissions fatigue
Post by: Simon on October 07, 2011, 00:18
I think it'll backfire.  That said, there's plenty of people who really don't want to know what's going on, as long as it works. 
Title: Re: Stealth Firefox updates to cure permissions fatigue
Post by: GillE on October 07, 2011, 00:42
Backfirefox, eh?

 ;D
Title: Re: Stealth Firefox updates to cure permissions fatigue
Post by: Clive on October 07, 2011, 08:01
Chrome has always done that.  8-)
Title: Re: Stealth Firefox updates to cure permissions fatigue
Post by: Rik on October 07, 2011, 09:29
Backfirefox, eh?

 ;D

:groan: ;D
Title: Re: Stealth Firefox updates to cure permissions fatigue
Post by: Rik on October 07, 2011, 09:29
I think it'll backfire.  That said, there's plenty of people who really don't want to know what's going on, as long as it works. 

I certainly don't like the idea.
Title: Re: Stealth Firefox updates to cure permissions fatigue
Post by: Baz on October 07, 2011, 12:41
so whats the difference between this and what it does now...when I check for updates it automagically just downloads and installs without asking  :dunno:

what if you were happy with whatever version you had then you just have to accept the new one?


thats what it does on my system any way, doesnt ask just installs
Title: Re: Stealth Firefox updates to cure permissions fatigue
Post by: Simon on October 07, 2011, 13:11
I'm guessing you won't have to check for updates, and it will just download and install without notification. 
Title: Re: Stealth Firefox updates to cure permissions fatigue
Post by: GillE on October 07, 2011, 13:36
That'll do the independently produced plug-ins a lot of good.
Title: Re: Stealth Firefox updates to cure permissions fatigue
Post by: Simon on October 07, 2011, 14:14
Indeed.  One would assume it would still notify of any incompatible add-ons. 
Title: Re: Stealth Firefox updates to cure permissions fatigue
Post by: Clive on October 07, 2011, 16:30
What's a plug-in?   :dunno:  ;D 
Title: Re: Stealth Firefox updates to cure permissions fatigue
Post by: Simon on October 07, 2011, 16:35
A socket.  ;)
Title: Re: Stealth Firefox updates to cure permissions fatigue
Post by: Rik on October 07, 2011, 17:09
 :laugh: Or is it an it?
Title: Re: Stealth Firefox updates to cure permissions fatigue
Post by: Clive on October 07, 2011, 18:10
 :cheers:  I suppose I should look into them now that I've bonded with Chrome. I may be missing out of something!   :laugh:
Title: Re: Stealth Firefox updates to cure permissions fatigue
Post by: D-Dan on October 10, 2011, 14:15
Silent updates? Windows permissions? What is this that you speak of?

Install Linux, install Iceweasel from the experimental repository. Voila - up to date FF that gets updated automatically (along with everything else) when a new version is released :)
Title: Re: Stealth Firefox updates to cure permissions fatigue
Post by: Simon on October 10, 2011, 14:18
How is that different from the Windows version of Firefox, Steve?
Title: Re: Stealth Firefox updates to cure permissions fatigue
Post by: D-Dan on October 10, 2011, 14:29
It isn't different. Iceweasel is simply FF with the branding removed. It goes by a different name because some linux specific patches in the code (I'm not sure what they are but I assume that they are just stability patches) fail to meet with Mozilla's approval, and the use of the trademark was at odds with Debians philosophy, and so the Mozilla Foundation won't allow the iceweasel team to use the name. Same goes for Thunderbird/Icedove. They are the same thing, but named differently because of bureaucracy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozilla_Corporation_software_rebranded_by_the_Debian_project
Title: Re: Stealth Firefox updates to cure permissions fatigue
Post by: Simon on October 10, 2011, 16:07
I see, sorry, I didn't get that Iceweasle was Firefox.  :)
Title: Re: Stealth Firefox updates to cure permissions fatigue
Post by: Rik on October 10, 2011, 16:40
Kind of inversion therapy. ;)