Quantum 58. Beta 6 - Why should I?
When I foolishly updated to Quantum 58.0b4 (64 bit) last November, like so many other users my frustration and aggravation with minor changes was overshadowed by those emotions as expressed by many more advanced power users than I. I managed to get my browser back almost to where it had been prior to the last update, specifically the tab bar under the others. Since then I have been bombarded with requests to upgrade to Nepali and accept several upgrades and what I suspect are minor bug repairs. I have chosen not to install the updates because I don't want to go through the bs I had to contend with last November.
My question is this - What guarantees do I have that this won't happen again?
I would welcome any comments from those who have installed 58.0 Beta 6 concerning any issues or problems experienced by other users. Consider this a pre-emptive request!
All Replies (7)
Hi boudrell, is there any particular reason you are using the "Beta" or "Developer" Edition of Firefox?
The changes between minor updates of a major version like 58 are unlikely to be significant, but because it is test software, please do make backups at regular intervals. This article may help with that: Back up and restore information in Firefox profiles
But... what is "Nepali"?
The 58.0b4 and 58.0b6 are old Beta builds of 58.0 currently on the Beta development channel. The current build is actually 58.0b15 (fifteen) though 58.0b16 is coming. There can often be on average say nine to fourteen builds of a version on Beta channel.
If you do not want to be testing Beta builds then just use the current 57.0.4 Release www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/
Modified by James
jscher2000 said
Hi boudrell, is there any particular reason you are using the "Beta" or "Developer" Edition of Firefox? The changes between minor updates of a major version like 58 are unlikely to be significant, but because it is test software, please do make backups at regular intervals. This article may help with that: Back up and restore information in Firefox profiles But... what is "Nepali"?
Thanks for the response, jscher!
To answer your question on why I am using "Beta" or "Developer" version I must plead ignorance! I think I was expecting a stronger more robust version when I chose to download the offered update back in November. I certainly am no Developer and I think like many got caught with my pants down not understanding the ramifications of downloading the Beta version without fully understanding the changes it would make to my browser
So like they say, "Once bitten, twice shy!" I'm leery of downloading this newest offering and having to come back in here hoping you can get me back to where I was before the download. Like i said, I'm an average user, not a power user like most in here and just want to save myself some frustration and aggravation.
The wording of your query hints at the possible availability of another version of Quantum for those of us less technically inclined. If so, I'd appreciate information on that version and it's availability, but more importantly, will all the changes be invisible and allow me to operate as I do now? Thanks for you time1
The "stable" release of Firefox is 57.0.4. The version you're using has been in testing for nearly two months, so it's probably pretty stable, too, if you update it. I don't know if it's worth switching back to Firefox 57; you can probably benefit from some bug fixes by sticking with Firefox 58.
jscher, Forgot the "Nepali" thing! All the update notices had a reference Added Nepali (ne-NP) locale in the message. That just confused me and seemed totally irrelevant. Here's the page I kept getting!
https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/58.0beta/releasenotes/
Thanks to both of you, jscher and James, for your very timely responses. I think I will update the Beta version for now but I will certainly keep version 57.0.4 as my backup option for the future!
The Nepali mention was that it is a new locale added to the list of languages you can download Firefox in. The Firefox 57.0.x does not have a Nepali (www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/) however the Firefox 58.0 Release will as it is on the Beta download page.
https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/beta/all/#ne-NP
Keep mind that if you allow updates you will be updated to 59.0b1 when available when Firefox 58.0 is Released on the Release channel (Jan 23).
Modified by James