How To Install Firefox 3 In Ubuntu Gutsy or Earlier

This guide will help you install firefox 3 in the older version of ubuntu which do not support firefox 3. Its only from ubuntu hardy that firefox 3 is incorporated . For the older versions , ubuntu has not provided any automatic update from firefox 2 to firefox 3 . So if you would like to install firefox 3 in ubuntu gutsy or any other older version of ubuntu then this guide is for you . This is also applicable for other linux distros . So here goes :

NOTE: All your bookmarks and favourites will be retained as firefox 3 will automatically use them . Certain Add ons may or may not work , firefox would attempt to automatically download a compatible add on in that case .

Step 1 : Go to the FIREFOX DOWNLOAD PAGE and Download firefox 3 version for LINUX .

Step 2 : You should now have a file like firefox-3.0.5.tar.bz2 . YOur version at your time of download maybe 3.0.6 or later. That doesnt matter as the steps are similar
Step 3 : Now open the file using archive manager by just double clicking on the file . You should now see a folder called firefox inside it .Extract this firefox folder to your home folder ( you can extract it wherever you wish , but its better to have it in your home folder ) . In my case it would be under /home/prash .

Step 4 : So here's how it looks after firefox is extracted

Step 5 : Now everything done , to launch firefox all you need to do is type sh /home/prash/firefox/firefox (do replace prash with your home directory name ) at the terminal (Applications->Accessories->Terminal)
Step 6 : But this could get bugging . I mean to go to the terminal always to launch firefox .So here's the easy way out
Step 7 : Right click on the firefox icon on the top main bar ( next to System ) . Now click on Properties


Step 8 : You should see a page similar to this

Step 9 : As shown in the screenshot , under command type sh /home/prash/firefox/firefox (do replace prash with your home directory name )
Step 10 : Thats it , click on CLOSE and click on the firefox icon and you should have firefox 3 opening!!