Why does it take so much time?

[larbac]

Hi

Like the question, why does Canonical take so much time to release the oficial updates of FF and TBird?

We have final versions for a few weeks and they still aren't available on the repositories....

Is there a special reason?

[Zorael]

Re: Why does it take so much time?

From the Ubuntu wiki page on backports;

Ubuntu releases a new version of its OS every 6 months. After a release, the version of all packages stays constant for the entire 6 months. For example, if Ubuntu ships with OpenOffice.org 2.0.x, it will remain at OpenOffice.org 2.0.x for the entire 6-month release cycle, even if a later version gets released during this time. The Ubuntu team may apply important security fixes to 2.0.x, but any new features or non-security bugfixes will not be made available.

This is where Ubuntu Backports comes in. The Backports team believes that the best update policy is a mix of Ubuntu's security-only policy AND providing new versions of some programs. Candidates for version updates are primarily desktop applications, such as your web browser, word processor, IRC client, or IM client. These programs can be updated without replacing a large part of the operating system that would affect stability of the whole system.

Backports is an official Ubuntu repository and maintained by knowledgeable Ubuntu developers who are often present on IRC and other communications media. But note that software in backports will not receive review or updates from the Ubuntu security team itself.

[larbac]

Re: Why does it take so much time?

Ok, I understand that it takes 6 months, but when it's about a browser that has updates of security, than they really should be added to the backports. They aren't "eye-candy"updates. Right?

[Zorael]

Re: Why does it take so much time?

Well, that's why 3.5.7 is in the repos now (security-updates?). If memory serves, Karmic included 3.5.3 or 3.5.4 at distro release.

Regardless, it *is* getting security fixes. Mozilla still maintains their old versions; it's not as if support for 3.5.x dies overnight at the coming of 3.6.

If you really want the latest and greatest you'll have to wait for a backport, or find it elsewhere. Do see the mozilla-daily ppa. You can even get 3.7 development snapshots from there.

daily (or even multiple builds per day) for various mozilla projects and branches.

For questions and bugs with software in this archive, please contact <email address hidden> or visit #ubuntu-mozillateam on freenode.

edit: I see that's the ppa that the link Teunis posted refers to. Nevermind.

[tomp01]

Re: Why does it take so much time?

Ok, I understand that it takes 6 months, but when it's about a browser that has updates of security, than they really should be added to the backports. They aren't "eye-candy"updates. Right?

You can always use Ubuntuzilla.

http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawik...itle=Main_Page