[MASTER] Firefox reports Gecko Engine Version in "about:"

[Phil Miller]

Binary package hint: firefox

Ubuntu version: Hardy alpha 5
Package: firefox-3.0
Package version: 3.0~b3+nobinonly-0ubuntu2

Steps to reproduce:
1. Boot from Hardy Heron alpha 5 live CD.
2. From the Applications menu, select Internet > Firefox 3 Web Browser.
3. Type "about:" in the URL bar and press return.

Expected result:
Firefox reports itself as "version 3.0b3" in both the version string laid over the logo and in the build identifier

Actual result:
Firefox shows "version 1.9b3" overlaid on the logo, while correctly reporting itself as "... Firefox/3.0b3" in the build identifier.

The contents of Firefox's about page can be found in the soon-to-be attached PDF.

The version from Help > About is not affected; it shows 3.0b3 correctly.

LAST PACKAGES TESTED:
Firefox-3.0 3.0.10+nobinonly-0ubuntu1
Firefox-3.5 3.5~b4+nobinonly-0ubuntu1

[Phil Miller (ubuntu-millenix)]

Here's that PDF.

[Jacob Peddicord (jpeddicord)]

Thanks for the report. Confirming, needs forwarded upstream.

[Սահակ (petrosyan)]

User-Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux x86_64; en-US; rv:1.9b5) Gecko/2008040721 Fedora/3.0-0.53.beta5.fc9 Firefox/3.0b5
Build Identifier: Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux x86_64; en-US; rv:1.9b5) Gecko/2008040721 Fedora/3.0-0.53.beta5.fc9 Firefox/3.0b5

typing 'about:' in the URL field says "Firefox version 1.9b5". 1.9b5 is gecko version. Firefox version is 3.0b5.

Reproducible: Always

Steps to Reproduce:
1. type 'about:' in the URL
Actual Results:
"Firefox version 1.9b5"

Expected Results:
"Firefox version 3.0b5"

[Philringnalda (philringnalda)]

You'll need to talk to the people who built Fedora/3.0-0.53.beta5.fc9 about that - mozilla.org builds do use Firefox version numbers there.

[Caillon (caillon)]

Actually, this is not Invalid.

about.xhtml is a part of toolkit which is built as part of XULRunner, so the version hardcoded into about.xhtml (http://mxr.mozilla.org/mozilla/source/toolkit/content/about.xhtml#65) is actually getting the Gecko version, and not the version of the application which is built --with-libxul-sdk.

[Caillon (caillon)]

To clarify this is a FF-on-XR bug because about.xhtml is built as part of XR in this case and the __MOZ_APP_VERSION__ is expanded at compile time hard coded into the file, which happens to be the XR/Gecko version, not the app version

[Սահակ (petrosyan)]

Created an attachment (id=315690)
screenshot showing the bug

[Philringnalda (philringnalda)]

Gotcha. Bet I won't be the last person to not imagine that anyone's shipping Firefox-on-XULRunner.

So, does /other-licenses/branding/ know the app's _MOZ_APP_VERSION_, so it could have a preprocessed dtd in content/ to pull in the app version?

[Mark-finkle (mark-finkle)]

I don't think the XR and FF are built at the same time so preprocessing probably won't work.

Instead, we could pull the app version from nsIXULAppInfo, used in about.xhtml onload handler.

[Mark-finkle (mark-finkle)]

Ok, bug 349985 makes that impossible

[Caillon (caillon)]

Also note that Help > About Firefox shows the correct version. This bug is only present when explicitly visiting the about: URI

[Philringnalda (philringnalda)]

It doesn't matter to my scheme that they are built at different times: at the time that the Fx part builds its branding, it knows what version it wants to be, and it can preprocess branding/content/version.dtd, #expand <!ENTITY app.version "_MOZ_APP_VERSION_">, and then all about.xhtml has to know is include chrome://branding/content/version.dtd, and use &app.version; where it wants to put the app version number.

[Dimitrios Symeonidis (azimout)]

Confirmed also in Firefox 3b5, where about: now says 1.9b5 while help->about correctly shows 3.0b5

[John Vivirito (gnomefreak)]

They are showing the version of Gecko that firefox is running on. PLease give us the link to the upstream bug report so we can track it.

[Mh+mozilla (mh+mozilla)]

FWIW, Epiphany uses a brandVersion entity.

[Mh+mozilla (mh+mozilla)]

OTOH, about.xhtml (modulo bug 349985) already (indirectly) uses version information from nsIXULAppInfo through the url formatter component for the release notes.

[Mh+mozilla (mh+mozilla)]

Created an attachment (id=322346)
possible patch

This obviously needs bug 349985 to be fixed first. It abuses the url formatter to get the version, instead of requesting a nxIXULAppInfo.

It also avoids "version" to be shown alone if script is not allowed per bug 349985, which means it's safe to apply now. It will just remove the version text from the about: page (which is better than displaying the wrong version).

[Ted Mielczarek (ted-mielczarek)]

*** Bug 438535 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***

[Philringnalda (philringnalda)]

*** Bug 438943 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***

[Alard (alard)]

In version 3.0+nobinonly-0ubuntu0.8.04.1, about: says version 1.9. Help->about says version 3.0.

[John Vivirito (gnomefreak)]

Are you all seeing Help > About now shoing 3.0?

[John Vivirito (gnomefreak)]

Steps to reproduce:
1. Boot from Hardy Heron alpha 5 live CD.
2. From the Applications menu, select Internet > Firefox 3 Web Browser.
3. Type "about:" in the URL bar and press return.

Those instructions are not able to be used to reproduce please fix. When i follow them i get about.com website

[Dimitrios Symeonidis (azimout)]

note that the bug still exists on the latest intrepid, it is reported as 1.9.0.3, while it's 3.0.3

[Mike Connor (mconnor)]

(From update of attachment 322346)
Ryan, can you take a look at this for me? thanks!

[Gavin Sharp (gavin-sharp)]

(From update of attachment 322346)
(In reply to comment #12)
> This obviously needs bug 349985 to be fixed first. It abuses the url formatter
> to get the version, instead of requesting a nxIXULAppInfo.

That's pretty hacky, and doesn't really save you much. I'd just get it from nsIXULAppInfo directly.

Despite the fallback to not showing a version, I don't think we can take this patch until bug 349985 is fixed, since it will cause the version to disappear for everyone, which is a regression for non-libxul builds.

[Michael Rooney (mrooney)]

John, I don't think that is the "about" screen relating to this bug.
We are talking about the screen when you type "about:" into the
address bar and hit enter. Sorry if I did not understand the intent of
your screen shot.

On Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 8:29 AM, John Vivirito <email address hidden> wrote:
>
> ** Attachment added: "firefox-about.png"
> http://launchpadlibrarian.net/18635117/firefox-about.png
>
> --
> Hardy's Firefox reports "version 1.9b3" in "about:"
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/194894
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of a duplicate bug.
>
> Status in The Mozilla Firefox Browser: Confirmed
> Status in "firefox" source package in Ubuntu: Confirmed
>
> Bug description:
> Binary package hint: firefox
>
> Ubuntu version: Hardy alpha 5
> Package: firefox-3.0
> Package version: 3.0~b3+nobinonly-0ubuntu2
>
> Steps to reproduce:
> 1. Boot from Hardy Heron alpha 5 live CD.
> 2. From the Applications menu, select Internet > Firefox 3 Web Browser.
> 3. Type "about:" in the URL bar and press return.
>
> Expected result:
> Firefox reports itself as "version 3.0b3" in both the version string laid over the logo and in the build identifier
>
> Actual result:
> Firefox shows "version 1.9b3" overlaid on the logo, while correctly reporting itself as "... Firefox/3.0b3" in the build identifier.
>
> The contents of Firefox's about page can be found in the soon-to-be attached PDF.
>
> The version from Help > About is not affected; it shows 3.0b3 correctly.
>

--
Michael Rooney
<email address hidden>

[HoppingWombat (hoppingwombat)]

I am getting a similar bug. When clicking Help -> About, it shows the correct version, but when typign about: it shows 1.9.0.4. I would like to help on this bug, but I am new and may need help. I will take a look at the source code and get back.

Vivirito: I do not think this is showing the Gecko version. It seems to state quite clearly that it is the Firefox version.

[HoppingWombat (hoppingwombat)]

Have traced it to mozilla/config/milestone.txt

This seems to provide the version number.

[Nicholas A. Suppiah (t-boxmy)]

I am having the upstream Mozilla but its milestone.txt dont seem to fit the problem. FYI, I do not know how to get the ubuntu version of the Mozilla.

In the source, I suspect it is in directory jpeg along with the main possible files jpeg1640.def and jversion.h

[Nicholas A. Suppiah (t-boxmy)]

Intrepid is showing in the about:

1.9.0.4

[HoppingWombat (hoppingwombat)]

To get the source: apt-get source firefox
Then unzip the xulrunner archive.

I don't think it's the jpeg directory, though I could be wrong -- I think it's something to do with either milestone.txt, or the value "rv." On a non-Ubuntu installation, milestone.txt and "rv" both say "1.9.0.4" -- so I think there's some error in the way the Ubuntu version reads the Firefox version.

Of course, I am new so I could be wrong -- but I will be looking at those two areas.

[HoppingWombat (hoppingwombat)]

I would like to manage this bug fix. Although, if someone else wanted to help, that would be awesome.

[HoppingWombat (hoppingwombat)]

Sorry, misunderstood the "edit status" area.

Sorry Suppiah, and thanks for helping :-)

[Reed Loden (reed)]

What do you mean "manage this bug fix"? What does that entail you actually doing?

[HoppingWombat (hoppingwombat)]

I mean fixing it.

Sorry, as I said, I am new to this so I will probably mess up on terms.

[HoppingWombat (hoppingwombat)]

Alright, for me it works to change the first line of toolkit/locales/en-US/chrome/global/about.dtd to the current version number. I don't know why this does what it does, but it does. This, for me, is a workaround. Have a nice day everyone!

[Hew (hew)]

HoppingWombat, please don't leave the status as In Progress if you are no longer working on the bug, you should set it back to Confirmed. You can learn more about bug statuses at https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/Status .

Marking as Triaged since the bug is upstream.

[jpeach (launchpadspam)]

I can confirm this is still a problem in Firefox 3.0.5 (Specifically: Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux x86_64; en-US; rv:1.9.0.5) Gecko/2008121623 Ubuntu/8.10 (intrepid) Firefox/3.0.5) and in is showing 1.9.0.5

[arky (arky)]

Confirm this problem still exists in Karmic

$ lsb_release -a
No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description: Ubuntu karmic (development branch)
Release: 9.10
Codename: karmic

$ apt-cache policy firefox
firefox:
  Installed: 3.0.10+nobinonly-0ubuntu1
  Candidate: 3.0.10+nobinonly-0ubuntu1
  Version table:
 *** 3.0.10+nobinonly-0ubuntu1 0
        500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com karmic/main Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status

[Mark-finkle (mark-finkle)]

*** Bug 492093 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***

[Mark-finkle (mark-finkle)]

We need this for Fennec

[Mozilla-bugs-micahscomputing (mozilla-bugs-micahscomputing)]

Ubuntu Bug:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/firefox-3.0/+bug/194894

Confirmed in 3.5b5pre as well.

[bettlebrox (micktimony)]

I have a similar problem. Except, it seems to be reporting the Firefox (FF) version as 2.0.0.8:

Build identifier: Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux i686; en-US; rv:1.9.0.12) Gecko/2009070811 Ubuntu/9.04 (jaunty) Firefox/2.0.0.8

This is on Ubuntu Jaunty with the latest updates. I first noticed this on the Kayak.com website which warned me that I using a verison of FF older than 2.0.0.16.

I've attached a screen-shot.

[yamo (stephane-gregoire)]

Hi,
bettlebrox, it's very strange do you have the UserAgentSwitcher extension?

To confirm your bug you can use another profile with : firefox -profilemanager create a test profile and go to the url about:

After closing firefox to use your normal profile start another tiume firefox with firefox -profilemanager

[John Vivirito (gnomefreak)]

Firefox-2.0 is not in faunty repos sor will it ever be. 2.0 is EOL firefox-3.0 will only get security fixes and major bug fixes.
3.5 has yet to be determined on what they will fix.
use 3.5 or 3.0 from jaunty repos please

[bettlebrox (micktimony)]

yamo: No I don't have the UserAgentSwitch extension installed. I do have the following extensions:
CookieSafe
del.icio.us (disabled)
Flash Video Resources Downloader
FoxyTunes (disabled)
mediaplayerconnectivity (disabled)
Novell Moonlight
Sage
Ubiquity
Ubuntu Firefox Modifications
YSlow (disabled)

John: That is what I'm reported. This is Firefox 3.0.12, but the UserAgent appears to be misreporting the version.

$apt-cache show firefox
Package: firefox
Priority: optional
Section: web
Installed-Size: 124
Maintainer: Alexander Sack <email address hidden>
Architecture: all
Source: firefox-3.0
Version: 3.0.12+build1+nobinonly-0ubuntu0.9.04.1
Depends: firefox-3.0, firefox-3.0-branding
Filename: pool/main/f/firefox-3.0/firefox_3.0.12+build1+nobinonly-0ubuntu0.9.04.1_all.deb
..

Also, in the Firefox About window (Help->About Mozilla Firefox), it shows the FF version correctly in the image, but not in the text underneath. This wasn't initially obvious as the version text isn't visible unless I resize the window (see the attachment).

The FF profile I'm using is one that I've used since at least FF 2.x (on previous Debian & Ubuntu systems).

[bettlebrox (micktimony)]

A new profile show the correct version:

Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux i686; en-US; rv:1.9.0.12) Gecko/2009070811 Ubuntu/9.04 (jaunty) Firefox/3.0.12

What in my existing profile could be causing the problem? As I said above, I've been using this profile since the FF 2.x days and possibly since the 1.x.

Thanks
Mick

[bettlebrox (micktimony)]

Apologies for all the comments. I grep'ed through my profile for 2.0.0.8 and found this:

prefs.js:239:user_pref("general.useragent.extra.firefox", "Firefox/2.0.0.8");

I used the firefox about:config view to reset it. I don't know how this was set to 2.0.0.8.

Thanks

[Mark-finkle (mark-finkle)]

*** Bug 538178 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***

[Սահակ (petrosyan)]

this bug has been fixed in Firefox-3.6

[Սահակ (petrosyan)]

this bug has been fixed in Firefox 3.6.3

[Reed Loden (reed)]

(In reply to comment #21)
> this bug has been fixed in Firefox 3.6.3

Fixed by what patch? Not aware of a fix for this landing...

[Mh+mozilla (mh+mozilla)]

Created attachment 483431
Use nxIXULAppInfo to get application version number in about

Now that bug 349985 landed, this can be considered. Addressed concerns from comment 16.

[Mh+mozilla (mh+mozilla)]

http://hg.mozilla.org/mozilla-central/rev/d253c44465ae