Firefox has updated 4 times in the last 5 weeks or so, which is hardly "daily"; plus the Firefox program updates don't happen upon startup, unless the actual program update was downloaded during the previous Firefox session and it is being installed.

Did you read the update dialog and see what was actually being installed? Those were probably "addon" updates, that check is done once a day as Firefox is being lanched. If that is upsetting to you, maybe you have too many extensions installed ad need to get rid of some of them; or turn-off automatic updates for addons.

4 updates in 5 weeks ( x 3 machines) is an impediment, not an adventure - some of us have Real Lives to get on with, not to mention partner's systems to maintain.

Why have there been so many updates ? This is a change in behaviour, there must be an underlying reason.

Richard

There have been 4 new releases in the last month which is unusual. There is generally a new release every 6 to 8 weeks to correct security and stability issues and to add new features. The developers are keeping on top of any stability and security issues and getting them corrected quickly. For myself, I am thankful for that.

On or about 06/22/2010-Firefox 3.64 was released which included the new plugin-container (aka Out-of-Process-Plugins (OOPP), or crash protection feature) to keep your entire browser from crashing when Adobe Flash, Silverlight or Apple Quicktime crashes. Only the tab(s) with the crashing plugin will crash, not the whole browser. Other plugins will be added later. Several stability and security issues were also corrected (see below). Also see: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Plugin-container_and_out-of-process_plugins

On or about 06/26/2010-Firefox 3.6.6 was released; the version numb 3.6.5 was used for another Firefox product, the mobile version, I believe. Firefox 3.6.6 fixed a problem with the crash protection feature introduced in Firefox 3.6.4. The crash protection feature was incorrectly identifing a plugin as having crashed much too soon (10 seconds; the length of time was extended to 45 seconds). There were no stability or security issues corrected in this release.

On or about 07/19/2010-Firefox 3.6.7 was released to correct several stability and security issues (see below).

On 07/23/2010-Firefox 3.6.8 was released to correct a single, but critical, security issue (see below).

See: https://www.mozilla.org/security/known-vulnerabilities/firefox36.html

Hope this information helps you to understand the reason for so many updates in such a short period of time.

~~red:On the system you used to post your question~~

Other Issues: ~~red:You have installed plug-ins with known security issues. You should update them immediately.~~

Update Java: your ver. 1.6.0.17 ~~red:(3 updates behind)~~; current ver. 1.6.0.20 (important security update 04-15-2010) (Firefox 3.6 and above requires Java 1.6.0.10 or higher; see: http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Java-related+issues#Java_does_not_work_in_Firefox_3_6 ) (Windows users: Do the manual update; very easy.) ~~red:Check your version here~~: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/ See: Updating Java Do the update with Firefox closed. NOTE: Java version 1.6.0.21 has been released. It is mainly an update for developers of Java applications and most users do not need to be concerned about downloading version 1.6.0.21. At this time, the update option in existing installations of Java 1.6.0.20 are not updating to version 1.6.0.21; at this time, it must be manually downloaded and installed. According to the Java release notes: "Bug Fixes Java SE 6 Update 21 does not contain any additional fixes for security vulnerabilities to its previous release, Java SE 6 Update 20. Users who have Java SE 6 Update 20 have the latest security fixes and do not need to upgrade to this release to be current on security fixes." Source: http://java.sun.com/javase/6/webnotes/6u21.html

I've had 2 separate Firefox updates just today, in ONE day! WTH

I don't think I have updates every day, but anywhere from 2-5 per week and it's getting really old! Can there possibly be this many actual updates or is there a problem somewhere??

I agree. Please remember that there are tons of OTHER updates as well, that we all have to suffer through. Further, many add-ons are broken when I update FIrefox. Pretty annoying. Today I fired up my iMac and suffered through nags to update Flash, Java, iTunes, and Firefox. I had to reboot at least once. Hey, I just wanted to do some work on my WordPress site! Oops. Word Press had an update too. Then there were the OS X updates, and since I run Windows 7 under Parallels, I had Windows system updates (supposedly 'very important' upgrades).

I've been writing books about computers since 1984. I was a regular features writer for numerous PC and Mac magazines. I have only seen things more and more complicated for users, with the exception of the iPad and iOS devices. Someone needs to rethink the upgrade issue.

Personally, I would switch to any good browser that promised me it would only update once a quarter (4 months), and would work with add-in makers so their add-ins still work after an upgrade.

People are trying to get work done with their computers. Imagine if your typewriter told you it wouldn't work right, or be safe until you upgraded it every week or so. I have about 6 computers at home. How can I get work done when I am constantly updating applications, add-ons, system files, etc. etc. There has to be a better way, even it's putting all apps on the cloud. Otherwise the annoyance factor is going to obsolete the desktop and laptop market. Tablets start up immediately, don't have to be booted, and upgrades are super easy. One tap on Update All, and your apps update while you go back to work.

Robert Cowart

yea, its quite annoying.. every time when there's a update.. my plugins gets screwed up.. i signed up to this forum just to say this.. i bet there's millions out there with same problem..