firefox 10 esr needs packaging

[stlubuntu]

Friends, I understand, respect, and accept that Firefox-10-esr will not be installed as a default package in Ubuntu 12.04 LTS (and likewise Ubuntu 10.04 LTS.)

http://www.chriscoulson.me.uk/blog/?p=111

However, I would very much like to see it packaged (and ideally in the repositories) so it would be an option for those who so choose and who are informed of the limitations, arguments, and risks.

Naturally, it is possible to download the tarball containing the binaries from Mozilla, extract them to /opt (or /usr/local/bin) and symlink appropriately, but it would be preferable to maintain the packages in the repositories (for ease of upgrade when each point release is issued.)

If the decision is made not to package firefox esr in the main or universe repository, Mr. Coulson, would you consider packaging it in your ppa (that you are in the process of retiring)? mozillateam/firefox-stable The ppa name would actually still be appropriate.

I would be glad to help but would need (at least initially) a good step by step tutorial in getting the right source code files and uploading them to the ppa.

Thanks so much for your consideration.

Further, kudos for all of your work and sharing of your time and talents.

[Micah Gersten (micahg)]

Thank you for requesting this. We don't have the resources to update both of these and as there's no commitment for the ESR past year 2, it doesn't seem to make sense to package for precise. Please report any other issues you may find. As for the code, you can take a look the code in oneiric as it's version 10 still.

[stlubuntu (jlrbennett)]

Wow, thanks for the quick response, friend (that might be the fastest "Won't Fix" I have ever seen.)

As I understand this, the "Won't Fix" signifies that Firefox ESR will not be packaged in the regular repositories.

However, I would still like to get Mr. Coulson's response to the mozillateam/firefox-stable ppa question (if possible.)

It seems clear to me that the only reason Mozilla issued Firefox 10 ESR was due to enterprise demand. Likewise, Canonical has just issued the Ubuntu Business Remix in an effort to better cater to enterprises as well. It also seems to me that it could be another selling point to enterprises if they could be advised that Firefox 10 ESR available to them should they so choose (with just a few clicks of a mouse.)

Please understand, that I do not intend to press the ESR as a superior solution, but merely want to have it available as an option.

[Erik Meitner (e.meitner)]

My job of keeping 60+ Ubuntu 10.04 Workstations working for our 150 users is made more difficult when the web browser is changing wildly. I chose 10.04 LTS for the same reason I am begging for Firefox 10.xesr packages for 10.04.

"The web is not static."(http://www.chriscoulson.me.uk/blog/?p=111) Sure. Fine. But in comparison, many web-based SAAS applications that we and other enterprise sites use are quite static. I don't give a hoot that our users can't play with the latest Internet toys. I care that they can do their jobs using the tools I am responsible for maintaining.

[Chris Coulson (chrisccoulson)]

The web browser "changing wildly" is quite an over-exaggeration. The changes between 10.0 and 11.0 really are quite minor, just like any other 6-week release.

Of course, if you're talking about the changes from 3.6 to 10.0, then this point is moot because you would have had to deal with that with or without the ESR.

[Erik Meitner (e.meitner)]

You are correct, that is an exaggeration. It does not change the fact that during the lifetime of ESR 10 I will have to spend time testing a new Firefox release a total of eight times, possibly communicating with all users to set expectations, possibly updating documentation, possibly creating workarounds. All so that I can be sure that our workstations are up-to-date with security fixes. As a business we have zero interest in the latest gee-whiz features. We do have an interest in application stability, easy change management, and reduced end-user support.

I understand the motivations for following the Mozilla rapid release schedule. I appreciate the desire to please the home computer users. I respect the hard work and dedication of all the developers that make Ubuntu happen. But I do need to register my discontent with not offering the option of Mozilla ESR releases.

Thanks.

[bruno miranda (brunomandaloriano)]

I think that Ubuntu should aprove the Firefox ESR , showing support for Mozilla in order to keep up with ESR. It's very good for corporate users/clients, it was claimed by a lot when the new release schedule started. I really wnat it packaged to the repositories and installed by default at Ubuntu Business Desktop Remix.

[stlubuntu (jlrbennett)]

@Chris Coulson

You have clearly and successfully made your case and supported your argument for NOT using Firefox ESR as the default in Ubuntu. However, there is still no reason whatsoever not to package it in "universe" or at least in your mozilla stable ppa. Would you please at least consider doing that as there are clearly some users which would prefer to choose Firefox ESR?

Thank you.

[Erik Meitner (e.meitner)]

Two things to add. There is a "Team ESR" Launchpad team that claims to be addressing issue but they have no packages in their PPA:
https://launchpad.net/~team-esr

And:
http://www.infoworld.com/t/web-browsers/firefox-in-the-new-out-the-compatibility-189645

[stlubuntu (jlrbennett)]

@Erik Meitner

Hey friend, that "Team ESR" is me! I have set up the ppa and I do have the firefox esr sourcecode and have read a little bit on ppa packaging. However, the firefox sourcecode seems to be a bit different than that described in the tutorials.

Frankly, I have never done any ppa packaging before and I could really use some help to get started. Further, I am confident that if an expert (such as Mr. Coulson) would either give me detailed step-by-step directions or walk me through the first time, that I could carry on from there and maintain subsequent updates.

Would you consider joining "Team ESR"? If so, I will gladly sent you an invitation.

I was also holding out hope that Mr. Coulson would package the ESR in his existing mozilla stable ppa.

[Randall Whitman (ubuntu-whizman)]

@team-esr: Are you on the Mozilla Enterprise maillist? If not, I might recommend it. The following links to a message from someone who has packaged Firefox-ESR inside an organization:
  https://mail.mozilla.org/private/enterprise/2012-August/002124.html