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I was searching for Firefox-like browsers ('clones') and found about a few that I want to test, but could not install Iceweasel in Ubuntu. (Older links that I found with this google search - here and here - are outdated/dead.)

Is it possible? Where to download the package from?

In fact finding the package is enough for me - I think that, just like Firefox, Swiftweasel and Seamonkey, these kind of browsers are able to run very well as 'portable' (just running the executable in the package folder).

I was searching for this browser to use it as another 'Firefox clone' (in the sense described in the linked question, like Icecat). But it seems that Iceweasel may refer to two different projects. One is the former name of GNU Icecat, the other is a Debian project. More here. When I asked the question, this difference was not clear to me, and Icecat was already running on my computer. So, I wonder if Iceweasel Debian version has its place on Ubuntu or not.

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  • 1
    ¿packages.debian.org/squeeze/iceweasel?
    – carnendil
    Apr 25, 2013 at 17:58
  • @carnendil - could you elaborate an answer based on the link you provided and Mitch's answer below? the packages indicated in that answer (with links that do not work) are not exactly those from your link
    – user47206
    Apr 26, 2013 at 8:19

3 Answers 3

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Since mixing Debian and Ubuntu is not generally recommended, I've tried (and succeded) to do it manually.

The Iceweasel package details page (http://packages.debian.org/squeeze/iceweasel) has links to download pages for different architectures, as well as a list of dependencies and suggested packages.

In my case, I go to the i386 architecture download page, where there are links to download the file from different mirrors. You can simply click on one of the links or copy it to run from a terminal:

wget -c http://ftp.mx.debian.org/debian/pool/main/i/iceweasel/iceweasel_3.5.16-20_i386.deb

Before installing the downloaded package, you need to make sure you have all dependencies installed. Any of the solutions provided here will do.

In my particular case, I had to download and install xulrunner-1.9.1 and several of its dependencies: libhunspell-1.2-0, libjpeg62, and libmozjs2d. Each can be found at the link provided with the dependencies list.

Then, install everything (I show separated commands to reduce lenght of example):

sudo dpkg -i libhunspell-1.2-0_1.2.11-1_i386.deb libjpeg62_6b1-1_i386.deb libmozjs2d_1.9.1.16-20_i386.deb
sudo dpkg -i xulrunner-1.9.1_1.9.1.16-20_i386.deb iceweasel_3.5.16-20_i386.deb

NOTE: Iceweasel "takes over" your current firefox configuration, and you will not be able to run both Iceweasel and Firefox at the same time. Note the creation of the symbolic link firefox.real during installation (it links to /usr/lib/firefox/firefox.sh):

installation of iceweasel .deb package
Click for a full-resolution version.

On first run, it will check and install (or reject) the add-ons from your Firefox:

iceweasel add-on compatibility testing
Click for a full-resolution version.

And this is Iceweasel up and running on my Ubuntu 12.04:

iceweasel first run
Click for a full-resolution version.

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  • thank you for underlying that it "takes over" the current firefox configuration, and will not be able to run with Firefox at the same time. (this is a very good answer, although it disqualifies iceweasel as answer to the other question)
    – user47206
    Apr 26, 2013 at 18:24
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Iceweasel is a rebranding of Mozilla Firefox. It is essentially Firefox but without the non-free components such as images and plug-ins. The rebranding is currently taking place as two independent projects. One is part of the Gnuzilla project, a GNU project to provide versions of Mozilla programs using entirely free software. The other is a rebranded build prepared by Debian. The two projects might merge in the future.

Warning: Please be advised if you have a bug in Iceweasel, because it is not provided by a supported Ubuntu repository, the Ubuntu project is unable to provide support or a fix. If you want support, you may want to use firefox.1

Installation

First, install its dependency from the Ubuntu repository :

libnspr4-0d

Then, you need to download and install them manually :

xulrunner-10.0
libmozjs10d
iceweasel

Or, the simple way is by install them at once by

sudo dpkg -i

then fix its dependency by command :

sudo apt-get -f install

Here is were you can get the files mentioned above.

(The previous link is dead) To get Iceweasel click Here

libmozjs10d_10.0.5esr-2_i386.deb

xulrunner-10.0_10.0.5esr-2_i386.deb

Also take a look Here, and Here

1Source:Install Iceweasel

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  • (i'll delete all my comments here in the end) - but you posted a link to icecat for iceweasel: i am curious about the later package while icecat is well and running :) - please dont ask me why i need iceweasel when i have icecat :)
    – user47206
    Apr 26, 2013 at 8:45
  • the iceweasel deb i found was this: ftp.de.debian.org/debian/pool/main/i/iceweasel/…. i have installed libnspr4-0d. xulruner requires libmiszj, which requires libffi5 >= 3.0.4 while i already have libffi6 v.3.0.11
    – user47206
    Apr 26, 2013 at 8:50
  • icecat can be installed with sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gnuzilla-team/ppa && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install icecat -y
    – user47206
    Apr 26, 2013 at 8:56
  • there seem to be two different uses of the name Iceweasel. One is the former name of GNU Icecat, the other is a Debian project. I've created a separate question on U&L.
    – user47206
    Apr 26, 2013 at 12:33
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GNU IceCat and IceWeasel are essentially the same thing. IceCat and IceWeasel are simply rebranded as to become entirely free and open-source versions of Firefox. If you would like to install it, refer here.

http://namakutux.blogspot.in/2012/07/install-iceweasel-10-esr-on-ubuntu-1204.html

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