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I am having problems with Adobe Flash. I have the latest version installed for Firefox. It keeps crashing my computer and I was wondering if there was any alternative that works with videos that require an updated Flash. If there isn't an alternative, is there any software that keeps flash stable? Another problem I have is that even though I updated my Flash, some videos say that my Flash isn't updated. I know Flash is pretty rubbish in Linux and OSX. Is there any alternative for Flash? Is Gnash any good? Is it still supported and developed? Please help.

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  • What Ubuntu are you running? 32 or 64 bit? How does flash run on Chrome or Chromium?
    – LnxSlck
    Jul 14, 2012 at 11:48
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    I am using 32bit 12.04 I will try chrome but am looking for a way to fix Firefox rather than to switch browser will let you know about chrome tho.....
    – Mark Kirby
    Jul 14, 2012 at 11:51
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    Try Gnash or Lightspark then
    – LnxSlck
    Jul 14, 2012 at 11:52
  • if by alternative you mean a good or better one, the answer is 'no'. I just tried Gnash and Lightspark and I will agree with the respondent Bowser, below :askubuntu.com/a/163486/47206
    – user47206
    Jul 28, 2012 at 13:52
  • someone should make an answer on shumway
    – Mateo
    Jul 14, 2015 at 13:41

5 Answers 5

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For alternatives as you said, there's Gnash and Lightspark.

To install open Terminal (Press Ctrl+Alt+T) and copy the following commands in the Terminal:

For "Official PPA of the Lightspark project"Launchpad logo:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:sparkers/ppa

or for "Automated daily builds from ustream git master"Launchpad logo:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:sparkers/daily

Installation:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install lightspark browser-plugin-lightspark

Click here for instructions on using PPAs.

NOTE - Update for Ubuntu 15.04, using Lightspark Version 0.7.2-6 (The above PPA repository does not appear to be working in Ubuntu 15.04)

Lightspark 0.7.2-6 deb package can be installed directly via the software centre, which is invoked by clicking the "Install Using Apt" button on the following web page:

http://www.ubuntuupdates.org/package/core/vivid/universe/base/browser-plugin-lightspark

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Depending on what you use Flash for. If you only need it for Youtube and a few well known sites you can use the addon FlashVideoReplacer for Firefox, or the Greasemonkey script Linterna Mágica. LM works on many sites and also on Chrome and Opera in additional to Firefox, though I notice that if Flash is installed it doesn't work on Firefox (Flash player will load while LM is loading, so you have two instances of the video). Also LM doesn't work on Youtube if you use Chrome (it used to, it just stopped working a few days ago)

For Youtube you also have other options like Minitube or SMPlayer (install from rvm's PPA, the new versions have a Youtube viewer)

I have played with Gnash and Lightspark on different distros and different machines. My conclusion is that they are complete waste of time. They never work except for a few demos. I see people recommending them on many Linux sites, either they have better experience somehow or these guys have never tried it themselves.

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  • My setup is the following. If I have flash installed and use firefox then I use flashvideoreplacer on the supported sites. If I have not installed flash and use Firefox I use LinternaMagica.
    – bowser
    Jul 14, 2012 at 14:17
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    FlashVideoReplacer: This add-on has been removed by its author.
    – BuZZ-dEE
    Feb 8, 2013 at 13:37
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Although Gnash is preffered, you also have Lightspark.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:sssup/sssup-ppa && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install lightspark

Note: Lightspark requires Adobe Flash removed before installation.

Better still, use Google Chrome. It has Flash built in (though Chromium does not).

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    I would like to continue using Firefox as I just dont like the look of ubuntu chrome all text is tiny at 1080p
    – Mark Kirby
    Jul 14, 2012 at 11:53
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    Why do you say gnash is preferable to lightspark? Jul 14, 2012 at 14:24
  • Because me and my friends have never had problems with it. :P Jul 14, 2012 at 15:22
  • This PPA ppa:sssup/sssup-ppa is only for Maverick and Natty which both don't supported anymore.
    – BuZZ-dEE
    Feb 7, 2013 at 17:47
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You can install the flash plugin from the software center or through the terminal using sudo apt-get install flashplugin-installer

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One that I tried recently is swfdec. It is very good! It can be downloaded from

sudo apt-get install swfdec-gnome

It can also be found on the ubuntu software center.

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    Unmaintained since 2008. apt-cache show swfdec-gnome shows: "This package is a transitional package for upgrading to Gnash. It can be safely removed when Gnash is installed."
    – BuZZ-dEE
    Feb 8, 2013 at 10:09

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