The current public standard Release is Firefox 7.0.1

I think if you opt to have firefox not upgrade without asking it will display the new version when you use Help -> About Firefox
above the button [Apply Update]

If you do a manual install and download the install file you will of course know exactly what you are getting, and if you save that file, it always gives you an easy regression route if you at a later date upgrade and wish to downgrade again.

If you have already downloaded the automatic update, then if you open the file active-update.xml with a TEXT editor such as notepad you will be able to read exactly which version and build of Firefox is about to be installed. (File typically in location C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Mozilla Firefox see )

If you do upgrade then it is not recommended you downgrade, because Firefox 6 is no longer considered secure or supported. The older version that is currently still secure and supported is Firefox 3.6.23.

Most banks should be ok with firefox 7, but some banks/credit unions are known to have had issues.

My config is "ask me what to do" when a new version is available. No version is presented for available update in about-window. FF is regularly asking if I want to upgrade to 7.0.1 (version is shown in confirmation pop-up but only there).

Found a directory C:\Documents and Settings\(user)\(local settings)\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Mozilla Firefox\updates\0 with three files: upgrade version (content 7.0.1) status (pending)

Erased those files.

If the automatic upgrade?-question doesn't show up again I will upgrade manually when/if 7.0.1 is considered OK.

In the meantime I will consider downgrading from 6.0.2 to 3.6.23 and accept the performance loss. Or use another and simpler, stable browser that isn't constantly modified and therefore requires updates all the time to fix security issues.

I think all browsers need continual upgrades to fix security problems, because the security situation is a constantly evolving cat and mouse type scenario. Your OS and security software will also need constant updates for the same reason.

Mozilla developers have reasons to think the fast release cycle is beneficial because it helps keep the browser up-to-date and secure. Unfortunately that is having effects on the add-on compatibility situation, but that is improving.

Corporate/enterprise users may also be having problems, but that is being worked on, possibly with a special release for corporate users.

One strategy you could consider would be to use the Beta channel release of firefox, there would be a slight risk of features being found to be problematic, but you would always have the option of downgrading to the standard release if you encountered a problem. (There was at one stage a User Interface button to switch channels, who knows maybe that could be reintroduced in the future)