[Mageia-dev] FireFox ESR <= we should totally go for this wrt stable releases

[Jeff Robins]

On Fri, Jan 13, 2012 at 6:00 AM, andre999 <andre999mga at laposte.net> wrote:

> Wait.
> A long-term release version is kept updated for bugs, particularly
> security bugs, but doesn't add new features.
> Since it doesn't add new features, it is less likely to introduce new
> bugs, and so would be more secure.
> (That is why, in case you haven't noticed, that Firefox has more security
> issues than Seamonkey, which is one step behind Firefox in adopting new
> features.)
>
> So if you want a stable, secure browser, prefer among Mozilla browsers the
> Firefox long-term release, or for more stable, Seamonkey.
>
> For the minority of users who want the latest features, despite the
> greater risk, like the cauldron of Mozilla, it is easy to download the
> latest Firefox release, direct from upstream.  (It will be available there
> at least a week sooner.)
> Upstream Firefox by default warns when the latest update is available.
>
> --
> André
>
>
I think André is entirely correct and the ESR should meet the requirements
for a long-term Mageia.  The ESR will get all of the security updates, but
not the new features so any argument about needing the latest to stay
secure is invalid.  (
http://www.anandtech.com/show/5378/mozilla-announces-firefox-extended-support-release
)

Also, the next upstream will be moving to quiet updates, unless Firefox
hasn't been restarted in the last 12 hours.  So, users that want the latest
can use the upstream and be automatically updated.
(http://letsbytecode.com/general/10-firefox-will-be-updated-on-the-quiet/)

My only concern is the difference in release times.  Mageia's is 9months
and Mozilla is 1year.  Nine months from Mageia's 1st long-term release,
Mozilla will still be on the same FF, and will update FF in the middle of
the second Mageia long-term release.  This would create more work and a
long-term Mageia, which will have a major component update during the
long-term support period.

--Jeff
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