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why are there different versions of Firefox 28.0 for Windows

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  • Last reply by John99

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I have a desktop PC running Windows 7 and a laptop running Windows 8.1. I set them both up with Firefox, and they both have Firefox 28.0 installed at the moment. However, while the desktop version is a plain 28.0, the laptop declares itself to be 28.0 EU ballot. (yes, it probably was loaded via the browser choice facility in Windows). Is there any actual code difference between the versions, and if not, why confuse me by identifying them differently? The difference came to my attention while i was investing a problem with a mapping program on the UK's national government mapping services website, which runs fine on the desktop, but stalls while loading on the laptop. The Ordnance Survey say that they are working on fixing a problem introduced by Firefox 28.0, so I started looking at the differences between my two machines.

I have a desktop PC running Windows 7 and a laptop running Windows 8.1. I set them both up with Firefox, and they both have Firefox 28.0 installed at the moment. However, while the desktop version is a plain 28.0, the laptop declares itself to be 28.0 EU ballot. (yes, it probably was loaded via the browser choice facility in Windows). Is there any actual code difference between the versions, and if not, why confuse me by identifying them differently? The difference came to my attention while i was investing a problem with a mapping program on the UK's national government mapping services website, which runs fine on the desktop, but stalls while loading on the laptop. The Ordnance Survey say that they are working on fixing a problem introduced by Firefox 28.0, so I started looking at the differences between my two machines.

All Replies (4)

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I was surprised to see Mozilla is still offering separate downloads.

I do not know for certain but presume the two are effectively identical. I did find some old articles about this

Presumably the naming was a requirement of Microsoft Windows.

Have you got a link to the OS article if it is public. I tried a quick websearch of the site but did not notice a relevant hit.

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Sorry, perhaps I was unclear. The OS have not, to my knowledge, published anything regarding the problem with Getamap - the information came in an email reply to a support call I raised when I encountered the hang. Here is the text of that reply.

Dear ************,


Thank you for contacting Ordnance Survey regarding OS getamap.


The latest update to Mozilla Firefox has effected users trying to access OS getamap. We are currently working on a solution to resolve the issue. Presently you should be able to access OS getamap with Internet Explorer.


I hope this information has been helpful.


Kind regards,


Andrew Parker


Customer Services, Ordnance Survey

Adanac Drive, SOUTHAMPTON, United Kingdom, SO16 0AS

Phone: +44 (0) 8456 050505 | Fax: +44 (0) 8450 990494

www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk | customerservices@ordnancesurvey.co.uk


I've also uploaded a screenshot of the hanging application.

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Some of the site content is likely to require registration or a payment, and when I look at the site I note the site uses Silverlight.

That is a Microsoft plugin and I normally use Linux.

I will leave this and hope someone else can look at it.

From your email they say they are working on the issue, and that in the meantime to use IE.

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If you really would like to use Firefox there is an workaround. It would not be recommended officially by Mozilla, but in the interim period until there is a fix consider installing and using the unofficial third party build Firefox Portable ESR.

That will be secure, and I imagine it should work with the problem site. It is easily installed as a secondary additional browser, without interfering with the Firefox Release you use for day to day browsing.