Linux can't really close closed programs

[zhangsonglin_cjr]

When I've opened and closed many web pages (with video) by Firefox, then Firefox didn't response. I closed and reopened Firefox, it didn't response yet. I closed Firefox, opened system monitor. I saw Firefox was sleeping , used several hundreds MB SWAP and seventy MB memory. It used almost all of my memory and SWAP space.
When I close a web page , Firfox doesn't release its SWAP and memory space.
When I close Firefox, Ubuntu Linux doesn't really close it.
It's true for Firefox 2.x and 3.0.
I saw when there is not enough memory and SWAP space, I start a new program, but it doesn't response.

[Brian Murray (brian-murray)]

Thank you for taking the time to report this bug and helping to make Ubuntu better. This bug did not have a package associated with it, which is important for ensuring that it gets looked at by the proper developers. You can learn more about finding the right package at https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/FindRightPackage . I have classified this bug as a bug in Firefox.

[Alexander Sack (asac)]

this can happen if firefox is running while upgrading. This is known and will not be fixed for the firefox 2.0 series. Anyways, good news is that this issue should be resolved in firefox 3.

Thanks,
 - Alexander