Get your Firefox update - and don't forget the Flash

Mozilla has released an updated version of Firefox 2.0 for Windows, Macintosh and Linux computers. The latest release, version 2.0.0.1 includes security fixes, and promises to address some of the long-standing memory leaks that have been a source of concern for many users. Based on my admittedly brief use of the new version, memory consumption seems to be about the same as with the previous version, capping at around 105 MB with a my usual set of 6-8 open tabs on both platforms. The Windows version reportedly improves Vista compatibility as well.

I did not wait for the update to appear in the built-in Firefox 2.0 updater, but grabbed it from the Firefox download page for my Tablet PC, Windows laptop, and MacBook. The update installed smoothly on all three systems and caught an incompatibility with one extension on the laptop as the upgrade was performed.

Be sure to read the release notes. And, be sure to check that you are running the latest version of Adobe's Flash Player as the combination update addresses one of the memory leak issues I mentioned. That update is also available for Windows and Macintosh platforms.

A parallel release of Mozilla Thunderbird (1.5.0.9) is also available.