[Tutorial] Downgrade to Firefox4 on ubuntu 11.04

[mars29200]

Hi All,

For compatibility reasons, a developer do not always need the newest software version that just poped up on the market.
In my case, right now, the WebDriver Test our Selenium Test framework doesn't work on Firefox5 that i automatically got thanks the Ubuntu Update manager.

I had to search few hours on Internet and finally ask a more experimented college which told me about this solution:

first of all, uninstall firefox5:


sudo aptitude purge firefoxthen, you can list the available software versions : sudo apt-cache policy <software_name>


msauvette@msauvette:~$ sudo apt-cache policy firefox
firefox:
Installed: (none)
Candidate: 4.0+nobinonly-0ubuntu3
Package pin: 4.0+nobinonly-0ubuntu3
Version table:
5.0+build1+nobinonly-0ubuntu0.11.04.2 1000
500 http://de.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ natty-updates/main amd64 Packages
500 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ natty-security/main amd64 Packages
4.0+nobinonly-0ubuntu3 1000
500 http://de.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ natty/main amd64 Packageschose the one you need, then, in /etc/apt/ create file "preferences"


Package: firefox
Pin: version 4.0+nobinonly-0ubuntu3
Pin-Priority: 1000

Package: firefox-globalmenu
Pin: version 4.0+nobinonly-0ubuntu3
Pin-Priority: 1000save file and call :


sudo aptitude update
sudo aptitude install firefoxthen start firefox and check the software version.

[lovinglinux]

Please be aware that Firefox 4 reached end-of-life and will not be updated with security patches. It has even been removed from Mozilla FTP site. Firefox 5 is the security and stability patch for Firefox 4. On Agust 16, Firefox 6 will be released and Firefox 5 will reach end-of-life as well.

I understand your situation and why you need to downgrade, but other users need to be aware of the potential security risks.

Also, please provide instructions on how to revert the changes so users can upgrade to the latest stable when needed. Otherwise, we might see some threads in the future, asking why they can't upgrade to the latest version. I have seen many cases of users who follow tutorials and then totally forget about it, until their system doesn't work as expected.

Finally, I would recommend other users who read this tutorial to try other methods of dealing with add-on compatibilities before deciding to downgrade. With the exception of some specialized add-ons like the ones the OP is using, usually is easier to solve add-on incompatibilities. See the Add-ons section of Firefox 4,5 & Beyond Mega Thread (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1712247).

[mars29200]

Ok, I edit my message and highlight the addressed person in red. I mean a developper should be aware that Firefox5 is safer than 4.
The Developer which need the trick that wrote will certainly not wait that new plugging are arrived on the market to release his own Software. isn't it?

[lovinglinux]

Ok, I edit my message and highlight the addressed person in red. I mean a developper should be aware that Firefox5 is safer than 4.
The Developer which need the trick that wrote will certainly not wait that new plugging are arrived on the market to release his own Software. isn't it?

Yes, but there will be lots of non-developers reading this. I don't see why highlighting "a developer" helps in any way.

[alwayssirius]

When I run sudo apt-cache policy firefox, my previous version 14.0.1 doesn't show up. Any thoughts, places to look?


firefox:
Installed: 15.0+build1-0ubuntu0.10.04.1
Candidate: 15.0+build1-0ubuntu0.10.04.1
Version table:
*** 15.0+build1-0ubuntu0.10.04.1 0 500 http://jp.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid-updates/main Packages
500 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid-security/main Packages
100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
9.0.1+build1-0ubuntu0.10.04.1 0
500 http://ppa.launchpad.net/mozillateam/firefox-stable/ubuntu/ lucid/main Packages
3.6.3+nobinonly-0ubuntu4 0 500 http://jp.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid/main Packages

[lisati]

Old thread closed.

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