Fix Flash Player (Firefox)

To fix the full screen issues with Firefox, add  "env LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libGL.so.1" to the launcher in front of "firefox %u" so it reads...

env LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libGL.so.1 firefox %u

N.B. May need re-editing on upgrade.

Fixing Firefox 3.5.x Flash problem

To prevent the repo version of Firefox 3.5.x crashing on full screening flash content, change the start command to...

LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libGL.so.1 firefox %u

Flash Player Glitches

Removing Conflicting Plugins

Ubuntu comes with swfdec plug-in, but it doesn't work on several sites. Installing the version from Adobe might solve this problem and improve performance.

To remove other flash plug-ins and install only the one from Adobe open "Applications >> Accessories >> Terminal", then paste (CTRL+SHIFT+V) the code below in the terminal window and hit enter:

sudo apt-get remove swfdec-mozilla
sudo apt-get remove mozilla-plugin-gnash
sudo apt-get remove adobe-flashplugin
sudo apt-get remove flashplugin-nonfree
sudo apt-get install flashplugin-nonfree

Flash Tweaks

If you're still encountering problems, try:

sudo mkdir /etc/adobe
echo "OverrideGPUValidation=true" >~/mms.cfg
sudo mv ~/mms.cfg /etc/adobe/

Disabling Firefox's "Awesomebar" Permanently

In the address bar type "about:config" and press enter. Ignore the warranty warning by pressing "I'll be careful, I promise". Search for the "browser.urlbar.maxRichResults" entry, double click it and change the default number from 12 to -1. Goto "file", press "exit" and restart Firefox. The awesomebar should now be disabled.

CPU Running at 100 Percent

Another problem with running Compiz and Firefox appears to be full on CPU usage (100 percent). Check first to see where the problem lies by typing into a console:

top

This lists the processes in order of greediness. Usually, to solve the problem all you need do is either restart Firefox or turn off Compiz.

Firefox Covers Task Bar and Shut Down Bar Missing

There seems to be a problem running Compiz and Firefox together. At times, when expanding Firefox to fullscreen, it will expand beyond the taskbar, and the shut down/minimize bar will also appear too high up, effectively off the top of the screen, making it impossible to shut down Firefox by the usual method.

Whatever the problem is, once it's happened, it saves to the Firefox settings file, meaning the setting effectively sticks.

To remedy the problem either (a) turn off Compiz, or (b) type the following into a console:

mv ~/.mozilla ~/.mozillaold

This will rename your Firefox settings file. You will lose all of your extensions using this method, and any themes you may be using, so a re-install of them will be necessary.

Firefox Fonts

Default Font - Times New Roman
Size - 16

Proportional - Serif........Size 16
Serif - Times New Roman
Sans Serif - Arial
Monospace - Courier New.....Size 13
Minimum Font Size - None

Default Character Encoding - Western (ISO-8859-1)

Configuring Embedded Audio in Firefox

To fix the "MMS is not a registered protocol" message when trying to view streaming content, here's the fix:

(1.) Open Firefox, type "about:config" (no quotes) in the address window, and click enter.

(2.) Right click on the window and choose [New], then [String] from the pop-up menu that appears.

(3.) In the first pop-up box, enter: "network.protocol-handler.app.mms" (no quotes, and it might just be easier to cut 'n paste this into the box).

(4.) In the next pop-up box enter the path to Kaffeine (e.g. "/usr/bin/kaffeine").

(5.) Now, click in the main window again but choose [New] [Boolean]

(6.) In the first pop-up box, enter: "network.protocol-handler.external.mms"

(7.) In the second pop-up select [True].

AS AN ALTERNATIVE!!!!

Install the "media player connectivity" extension for Firefox from the url below, which allows you to open all embedded audio/video links in external media programs.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/446