[jqp]

I just got the message from Firefox that this was the last upgrade to Firefox 2. Does anyone think they should be able to get away with this? I don't see MS forcing mew to upgrade to IE8 or IE7. Seems pretty convenient for Firefox...

[mattyturner]

And are Microsoft still releasing upgrades for IE6?
Firefox need to focus their man hours on the latest greatest to stay in the game, especially vs Microsoft (big bucks, want to control whatever happens next), Apple (putting paid developers behind Webkit) and lately Google (heavily customized Webkit based browser)... oh opera too.. not exactly a cozy niche corner for them.

What's 'convenient' about the not updating old versions of their product when they're under no obligation to do so (why should the answer to you?) they offer the next version for free (just go download it) and they're in such a competitive environment. (you could download IE8 beta, opera, safari or chrome or a bunch of others if you dont' like FireFox)

So yes, not only should they get away with it, they should do everything they have to to keep progressing the face of the browser. If it wasn't for them Microsoft may never have even bothered developing IE7.

[Full Disclaimer - i'm a (front end) web developer]

[Papajin]

I just got the message from Firefox that this was the last upgrade to Firefox 2. Does anyone think they should be able to get away with this? I don't see MS forcing mew to upgrade to IE8 or IE7. Seems pretty convenient for Firefox...

Who's forcing you to upgrade?  There's no reason you can't run Firefox 2... It just won't get updated any longer and may eventually fall catastrophically (i.e. not work properly any more) behind the times.  Software authors can't update old versions forever or they'd eventually get buried under the weight of trying to keep too many versions up-to-date -- the older the version is from the current code, the harder the code gets to maintain...  Microsoft doesn't support all their old versions of IE any longer either.  I'm not 100% sure, but I think they're still supporting back to IE6, but I'm guessing that won't last too much longer if they even still are.

[chadh]

Here's an idea.  If you want updates to Firefox 2 to continue, why not write to Firefox and tell them how much you're willing to pay them for the service.  If enough of you do this to make it viable, I'm sure Firefox would be happy to restore the update service in exchange for your hard earned money.

On the other hand, if you want something for free, you could just put up with either of the two options Firefox is already providing:  Firefox 2 in its current state, or Firefox 3 which is continually updated.

Should they be able to get away with it?  Of course!  How much do you think you're entitled to get for free?!?!

Chad

[JohnR]

Um, why not just upgrade to version 3? 

[BradJudy]

This happens with all software, and yes you should move to version 3 because eventually there will be a security problem with 2 that will not be patched.  This is a relatively short turn-around for dropping support.

MS IE 6 SP2 and SP3 are still supported.  The Microsoft has a set lifecycle system for its products: http://support.microsoft.com/?LN=en-us&x=6&y=11&scid=gp%3B[ln]%3Blifecycle which defies how long they are supported to varying degrees.  You can see the details on when support ends for all of their products here: http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifesupsps  In most products, they continue security patches after they have discontinued regular patches. 

Of course, a jumbo company like MS can afford to continue work on products much longer than a smaller company or most open source projects (although some OS projects have kept a version going for a VERY long time). 

[ted_b]

Firefox upgraded me to V3 in, like, less than 2 minutes.  No reason not to let the upgrade happen, unless I'm missing something.?  Why stay on an unsupported version; I don't get the issue with this thread....and that's not to be read as cynical or otherwise.  I truly don't understand why you wouldn't want to stay current (i.e V3).  What is the other side of this debate?

[woodsyi]

Because he is personally offended by Ménage à trois? 

[richidoo]

I downloaded an IE6 update yesterday.

oops - please delete - double post

[richidoo]

And are Microsoft still releasing upgrades for IE6?

I downloaded an update for IE6 yesterday.

[CSI]

Let me see if I follow your complaint. They will no longer update your free browser so they are offering you a newer version, also free. And you don't think they should be allowed to get away with this? Maybe you could take them to court and sue them for all the money you've spent on their free software...oh, wait.

I'm having a hard time understanding your sense of entitlement here!

[jqp]

Is disservice too strong of a word?

And are Microsoft still releasing upgrades for IE6?

Oh yes, they would be chastised for letting unsecure browsers float in the wind

I have been using Firefox 2 for a while and feel fairly comfortable that they are keeping it patched for security - now I am basically forced to start over with an untested product because they don't want to keep 2 secure. Kind of aggravates me. The industry standard is to be vigilant about security - I'll bet they give in and keep patching it. All browsers are free, but the developers do not work for free in the least - they get compensation in many ways.

In most products, they continue security patches after they have discontinued regular patches.

Yes, thank you

IMO if you are going to play the role of a popular and successful browser company, you need to walk the walk

[Watson]

Firefox put out over a year of updates for version 2.0 after version 3.0 was released. They've done their job. 3.0 is hardly "untested" at this point. The upgrade is free. The interface is substantially the same. Time to move on.

[bregez]

Firefox 2 is plagued with multiple memory leaks!  No update for this browser has fixed this problem.  Try running Firefox 2 for a long period of time and monitor its memory usage in the task manager.  It will slowly increase it’s consumption of memory until all resources are used.  This problem was fixed in Firefox 3. 

[ShinOBIWAN]

jpq

Stop using Firefox and go with another browser that is, in your eyes, better supported. If you want to continue using Firefox then download it and accept whatever they throw at you because you aren't paying for anything here. They owe you nothing.

You seem to like the IE update and support model so I'd go with that if I were you.

[jermmd]

Think of Firefox 3 as an upgrade to Firefox 2. How about that?

[JDUBS]

I just got the message from Firefox that this was the last upgrade to Firefox 2. Does anyone think they should be able to get away with this? I don't see MS forcing mew to upgrade to IE8 or IE7. Seems pretty convenient for Firefox...

One of the funnier posts I've seen in a while!  Who's "forcing" you to upgrade??

No way should they "get away with" giving us a new and superior product FOR FREE!!

[Folsom]

Yeah it is free, from a non-profit. Not much issue here... everything transfers over, the program is still basically the same.

[PMAT]

Fizzle out here................... . . . . .  .   .   .    .    .     .     .      .