Today Mozilla has released Firefox 3.6.4, which is now equipped with crash protection for Windows and Linux users to help stem the amount of crashes caused while watching video through Adobe Flash, Apple Quicktime, and Microsoft Silverlight as well as playing games using Flash.
Enhanced Stability with Out-of-Process Plugins
The new crash protection isolates third-party plugins when they crash by running them as different instances through Out-of-process plugins or OOPP. This means that when a plugin crashes or freezes, Firefox will continue to run smoothly, but the portions of the website being controlled by the plugin will be disabled. The crashed plugin can then be restarted by simply refreshing the page. This feature significantly enhances the stability of the browser, ensuring that a single plugin failure does not bring down the entire browser session.
For example, if you are watching a video on YouTube and the Flash plugin crashes, you won’t lose all your open tabs and ongoing work. Instead, you can refresh the YouTube tab to reload the plugin and continue watching your video. This is particularly useful for users who rely heavily on multimedia content and interactive web applications.
Encouraging Users to Update
Mozilla is encouraging all Firefox users to update their browsers to take advantage of this new feature. Users can update their browsers by using the “Check for Updates” function in the Help menu, or by visiting www.firefox.com. Keeping the browser up-to-date not only provides access to the latest features but also ensures that users benefit from the latest security patches and performance improvements.
In addition to crash protection, Firefox 3.6.4 includes several other enhancements and bug fixes. These updates are part of Mozilla’s ongoing commitment to providing a fast, secure, and reliable browsing experience. By regularly updating their browsers, users can help Mozilla identify and address potential issues more quickly, contributing to the overall improvement of the software.
Moreover, Mozilla’s approach to crash protection reflects a broader trend in the software industry towards greater modularity and fault tolerance. By isolating different components of a system, developers can create more resilient applications that can recover gracefully from errors. This approach is not limited to web browsers; it is also used in operating systems, server software, and other complex applications.
For instance, modern operating systems like Windows and Linux use similar techniques to isolate different processes and prevent a single application from crashing the entire system. This design philosophy helps create more stable and reliable software, which is essential for both personal and professional use.
The release of Firefox 3.6.4 with crash protection is a significant step forward in improving the stability and reliability of the browser. By isolating third-party plugins and allowing users to recover from crashes more easily, Mozilla is helping to create a better browsing experience for everyone. Users are encouraged to update their browsers to take full advantage of these improvements and to stay informed about future updates and enhancements.
Via Mozilla
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