The final release of Firefox 1.0.3 is now available for download:

http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/

Download complete. Installing now.

T.W. would it be better to uninstall the Firefox version I have now before installing the new one? Or does it matter?

I had version 1.0.2 installed and carried out the upgrade to 1.0.3 without uninstalling the old version first. Everything went well.

One complaint about previous versions of Firefox was that upgrades without uninstalling the old version first caused multiple entries in Add/Remove Programs. This has been fixed in 1.0.3 and I think the general idea now is that new will install on top of old.

If you are upgrading from 1.0 it should be OK to install without uninstalling. Anything earlier than that and I think I would uninstall using Add/Remove Programs before installing the new version. Also, if you have a version earlier than 1.0, it would be best (or even necessary to avoid problems) to manually delete your old profile and create a new one.

When I installed 1.02 I noticed that I had two entries in Add/Remove. So I decided to remove the older version which was a very bad idea. It got rid of my Firefox settings including my extension, themes and a good part of my bookmarks.

But I think I had the Firefox 1.0 setup still in Program Files and I re-installed that as well as 1.02 from the site. And for some reason half my booksmarks had gone and half remained. Weird. I had to hunt down all my old bookmarks because I couldn't find the bookmarks file in Program Files. And I had to reinstall every single extension I had even though it looked like I hadn't lost my extensions from the Extensions folder...they didn't work.

I am glad the problem is fixed with 1.03.

I just installed version 1.0.3 and when I went to add/remove programs after installing it version 1.0.2 didn't show up anymore there, so maybe it automatically deletes it?

Well I downloaded and installed the newer version of Firefox and it runs fine. I do like the browser but ever since I've been using it I've had problems with Java. It takes forever to load when I go to a site that requires Java and on several occasions when I go to move my cursor the browser closes or Java gives an error message. And when I play Java based games on line the sound doesn't work properly. Yes I have the latest Java version installed and I'm running Windows Me. I get around this by using explorer to play the games I like, but I'd rather not. Oh well sometimes the computer Gods are with you and sometimes not.

Isn't Java just naturally slow?

I've had issues too, argus. Similar, like stuttery graphics and sometimes games not loading at all.
Also, pictures seem to load a lot more slowly than in IE.

But overall, I really like the browser. And that Stumble! extension has given me yet another way to waste way too much time!

loveoflearning, I never had any problems with Java being slow before.

When I took to using FF a few years ago (it was called 'Phoenix' back then), I noticed that java applets were slow and jumpy in FF compared to the same applets running in IE. Installing upgraded versions of java as they came out always seemed to give some improvement.

Then I got a better computer and problems with java applets loading or running slowly in Firefox went away. I couldn't say which made the biggest improvement though, the upgrades of java or the better computer. Probably a bit of both

I'm sure if I upgraded my computer and installed Windows XP alot of my gliches would disappear. Besides the Java problem I've had problems with my programs (mostly the browser but not always)not responding. As I read once about Windows it just dropped the ball and walked away. When I do a ctrl alt del the little box opens and it usually indicates the program I'm using is not responding and I have to reboot. I'm sure this is something to do with Windows. I've upgraded my driver's etc but the problems still presists. Only once in a while, just enough to irritate, but not enough to spend money . My system is over 4 years old and for a computer unfortunately that's over the hill.

My computer is just about a year old, running XP, so I think that may be ok. Maybe I need a Java update, I'll have to check that out.

http://www.mozilla.org/support/firefox/tips#oth_rendering

These tweeks might be worth trying to add speed. I did them and it seemed to help.

More Firefox trouble with Java and autologin

Read more at

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,1814079,00.asp

Read what those who know and love Firefox have to say about this vulnerability by clicking here.

One saving point is perhaps that the flaw relies on latching on to a legitimate site in Firefox's whitelist (sites allowed by the user to install software). In other words, if there are no sites listed in: Tools > Options > Web Features > Allowed Sites, the vulnerability cannot be exploited ...so I read. It looks as if removing any sites listed would also be a good measure to take.

We can expect a fix shortly no doubt. One thing the Firefox developers are pretty good at is quickly patching security holes. Look out for version 1.0.4 I suppose.

The English (US) final version of 1.0.4 is now ready for download. I didn't uninstall 1.0.3 before installing 1.0.4. It installed on top of 1.0.3 with no problems (no double entries in Add/Remove Programs). Firefox users should upgrade to the later version. It contains security and other fixes.

http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/

Ah, TW I just came here to post that, but you beat me. I knew it wouldn't take long for them to fix those vulnerabilities.