Mozilla Firebird

[Golden Runways]

Hello all! Well as ever my learning curve is getting bigger again as I take on board all the fab advice on pprune. I've just installed Mozilla Firebird. It is excellent. Can't believe how much quicker it is, and the tabbed browsing is phenomenal. The cookie handling, and blocking advertisers images is well cool.

So far I have encountered only one problem. One of the major sites I use requires java to run a particular section. When I get/got to the part of the site that requires it, it says click here to get the plug in. I did so and it installed j2re1.4.2_03, which now resides in my program files folder. However the site I use still says 'click here to get the plug in'.
The link goes here http://plugins.netscape.com/plug-in_finder.adp?mimetype=application/x-java-vm
This is the link to install java from sun for netscape, which I understand is part of the source for Firebird.

I have also read the info here (http://seb.mozdev.org/firebird/)
about using the installer. I would benefit from some advice at this point. The Java I installed seems to do nothing. Am I better to uninstall everything and put back using the installer via the link?

I downloaded a zipped file of firebird and unzipped it into c: \Program Files. I run AOL (yeah ok!!) as my default browser under the highly acclaimed windows ME, Athlon xp2400, K7S5A, 512Mb ram, latest BIOS.

JAVA and Javascript both work ok under windows aol/IE. Is the JAVA in my programs folder just for mozilla /netscape? It all has a date of 22/01/04 which was when I downloaded it. You ever get that feeling your knowledge makes you more dangerous? Cos I got that feeling.

[goates]

Golden Runways - Try loking at this page (http://plugindoc.mozdev.org/phoenix.html). The one problem with Firebird is that it isn't quite as well supported when it comes to plugins.

goates

[PPRuNe Towers]

highly acclaimed windows ME

Dry GR, very dry:ok: :ok:

Best of luck in sorting Java out.

Regards
Rob

[Mac the Knife]

Goto http://java.com/en/download/help/testvm.jsp and tell us what the diagnostic says about your JRE :ok:

[Golden Runways]

It said 'click here to get the plug-in', and took me to the page I went to, when I downloaded the Java from Sun!

Going to the same link via IE gave:
Java vendor: Sun Microsystems Inc.
JRE Version: 1.4.2_03
Operating System: Windows Me
OS version: 4.90

It also started the Java 2 platform in my system tray. The control panel lists the java runtime as the default for IE, the other (unchecked) choices are netscape 6 or later, or mozilla 1.1 or later.

I am now confused more, I thought windows IE used an exclusive version of JAVA?

I am thinking that I need to either patch in the registry changes, which I don't yet know how to do, or I am going to system restore to the Pre-install point, and re-install using the Installer. Unless I get other advice!?

It was Mr fobotsco who first cast aspersions on my ME/AOL system, can't think why?!

[slj]

GR

I had the exact same problem. I've given up on Mozilla Firebrand for the time being.

The Sun Java is I am told, a better version of Java for Microsoft Explorer. I have left it where it is and it works well with all other browsers including Mozilla 1.

If I find out anything re Firebrand and I agree it looks good I will post .

Have you tried Browser MYIE2 that is pretty fast and has plenty of additions that make oit that much better than the generic Explorer.

Regards

SLJ

[goates]

Try downloading the Firebird installer and using that to install Firebird instead of using the zipped version. This should add the registry settings. After you run the installer, you'll have to run the Sun Java installer again for it to detect the Firebird installation. This should also make installing other plugins easier as well. It worked for me when I tried Firebird (I went back to Mozilla for now).

Microsoft does have it's own version of Java, but many programs, especially cross-platform ones like Mozilla/Firebird use Sun's Java version as it is also cross-platform.

goates

[Golden Runways]

Ok found this in the firebird FAQ: If you have already downloaded Mozilla Firebird as a ZIP file, you can add the registry information that JRE 1.4.2 and later require by hand. To do this, save this registry file to your desktop, and double-click to import it. If you are asked if you want to add the information to the Windows registry, click Yes. After this is done, you can install JRE 1.4.2 if required, then restart Mozilla Firebird and use Java.

If neither of the above solutions work, you can use JRE 1.4.1_05 until the issue you are having is resolved. JRE 1.4.1_05 does not require the information in the Windows registry that JRE 1.4.2 does.

Might give this a try first.

Not heard of MYIE2, will have a look. Thought about opera, but didn't like the idea of built in adverts, or paying for it! Firebird offers me the ability to block out adverts!

I'm at that stage where I have enough knowledge to make the worst mistakes. I am just going to back up all my favourite files first.....

[goates]

I used the zip file the first time I tried Firebird and ran into this exact problem. It was also a pain in the butt when trying to upgrade. Using the installer makes it just as easy as using the installer for Mozilla. I believe there was a note in the FAQ or somewhere on the website that you must have Firebird unzipped to a specific directory for the registry patch to work, otherwise it will point to the wrong location. While Firebird does work very well, it is a beta/technology demo product and isn't designed for most end users, hence the mess with getting plugins to work.


goates

[slj]

GR

I have used Opera for some years. The free version (with Java that works) has adverts but they really are not intrusive. Its worth a try but another worth trying is SlimBrowser recommended in the Avant Browser discsussion.

Slim Browser is fast and although I only had a look at it for the first time after reading the Avant thread it looks good and java picks up the orginal Explorer settings so you don't have to mess aroung with Internet Options / Advanced.

Goates

I had problems dowloading the Firebrand installer and getting it to work without using Win Zip.

[goates]

slj - You shouldn't need Winzip if you download the Firebird installer from this site (http://seb.mozdev.org/firebird/) (the top most entry under downloads). It sounds like you are using the zip file from the official Firebird website.

goates

[slj]

Thanks Goats

Tried it and it recognises java on the http://www4.passur.com/bos.html whoich I use as the test .

I had nothing to do as the programme automatically reconises the previous Explorer settings.

Thanks agin Goates

[goates]

slj - Glad to hear you've got it working. :D

You should also be able to install the Flash plugin as well if you need to. I've found Mozilla and Firebird to be more enjoyable to use than IE (including Avant and MyIE2) and Opera. Both Mozilla and Firebird do need some polishing, but for everyday use they are great (and free of adverts).

You're more than welcome! If you have any more questions I would be glad to help.

goates

[Golden Runways]

Woo yay and huzzah!

Thankyou all as usual. The combination of pprune talent and teamwork succeeds!

I saved the registry file to my desktop, double clicked it, and when I relaunched firebird, I am java enabled.

I was happy, then I followed slj's link, now I'm astonished. That is so way cool! I've not had time to investigate fully, are there more for other airports?

Many thanks again. Woo and yay once more.

Not another word against the highly acclaimed pc/windoze ME/aol/firebird combination!

[slj]

GR

http://www.passur.com/sites.htm for list

The replay mode is cool.

SLJ