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What is the best Linux distro to work with Firefox (and Thunderbird)?

  • 7 பதிலளிப்புகள்
  • 4 இந்த பிரச்னைகள் உள்ளது
  • 270 views
  • Last reply by paladin_3

With the advent of Win8 & Win10, I am considering (re)installing Linux. I stopped using it because I was not getting timely Firefox and Thunderbird updates. I rely on Thunderbird calendar & like the Tbird interface. So, what is the Linux distro to be most likely to be kept updated? Thanks, paladin_3

With the advent of Win8 & Win10, I am considering (re)installing Linux. I stopped using it because I was not getting timely Firefox and Thunderbird updates. I rely on Thunderbird calendar & like the Tbird interface. So, what is the Linux distro to be most likely to be kept updated? Thanks, paladin_3

தீர்வு தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்டது

Regular Linux distros versions may be supported for say a couple years more or less while there are Long Term Support Releases from same or other Linux distros.

The downside with LTS versions (like Ubuntu does with some versions) is that they tend use older packages more for stability vs using the most current packages.

Older LTS versions that are still supported by the distro may not meet minimums required to use current Firefox Release for example.

https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/41.0/system-requirements/

The current Mint released June 30 2025 is supported until April 2019 so there are options.

openSUSE does have a community that tries to keep some older versions updated when openSUSE drops support.

https://en.opensuse.org/Lifetime https://en.opensuse.org/openSUSE:Evergreen

The Linux requirements for Firefox 41.0 have been the same since Firefox 17.0. However a big change in a while is GTK 3.4 or newer is going to be the new requirement, likely starting Firefox 43.0 Release as it was going to be for Fx 42.0 Release.

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All Replies (7)

You do not need to use the Firefox and Thunderbird version that come via the repositories of that Linux distribution. If you install the applications yourself then you can update them the same way as on Windows via "Help > About". Software installed via the repositories can only be updated that way and you need to wait for a next version to become available. You can use the same distribution that you used before or try one of the popular distributions like openSUSE (rpm based) or Ubuntu (Debian based).

http://distrowatch.com

Depending on your hardware specs you may want to use something lighter like XFCE (like a lighter GNOME 2) and not KDE or GNOME 3.

Also make sure what Linux distro version you use (say openSUSE, one of the Ubuntu options etc) has GTK 3.4 at minimum.

Firefox 43.0 (was going to be Fx 42.0) perhaps may requires GTK 3.4 at min and not 2.18.

Some of these can allow you to try it by running it off a CD though some LiveCD are actually larger now so you would need a DVD or usb flash drive that was setup to do so.

James மூலமாக திருத்தப்பட்டது

Sir James: Are you implying that the distro is of marginal value in my quest? I also am no longer interested in arcane minutia for setups. I can code a shell script well, but I really do not want to be tweaking critical system stuff. I have a fairly robust system (gamers not-with-standing) with 16 gig memory (as an ancient techie, I crave memory) & 5 core cpu.

Hmm sounds like Gnome 3 or KDE may be fine then. On a capable system it can be a matter of user preference on what desktop to use.

I am trying to get a commitment as to the distro that is best kept up-to-date. I have no desire to know opinions of which interface is better. Only which distros are kept up-to-date better, and have a likelyhood of continuing to be current. Aside: Those who are inflamed as to which way to go, vis-a-vis Linux, are doing a HUGE dis-service to the Linux community; a high level of agreeement and conformity is needed to progress Linux. Please quash your egos to promote a better OS, EVEN IF THAT MEANS YOUR minimal PREFERENCES are not used.

தீர்வு தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்டது

Regular Linux distros versions may be supported for say a couple years more or less while there are Long Term Support Releases from same or other Linux distros.

The downside with LTS versions (like Ubuntu does with some versions) is that they tend use older packages more for stability vs using the most current packages.

Older LTS versions that are still supported by the distro may not meet minimums required to use current Firefox Release for example.

https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/41.0/system-requirements/

The current Mint released June 30 2025 is supported until April 2019 so there are options.

openSUSE does have a community that tries to keep some older versions updated when openSUSE drops support.

https://en.opensuse.org/Lifetime https://en.opensuse.org/openSUSE:Evergreen

The Linux requirements for Firefox 41.0 have been the same since Firefox 17.0. However a big change in a while is GTK 3.4 or newer is going to be the new requirement, likely starting Firefox 43.0 Release as it was going to be for Fx 42.0 Release.

James மூலமாக திருத்தப்பட்டது