News

Vector Linux 6.0 Kde Classic

The VectorLinux crew is proud to announce the final release of VL6.0-KDE-CLASSIC. This release is not about bleeding edge technology. On the other hand, it is not about nostalgia either. KDE 3.5.10 gets the job done. It is a mature and solid product with a large user base. Many of us are comfortable with it, and are not yet ready to leave it behind. We thought it only right to make a robust system with KDE 3.5.10 at the helm.

The classic text installer will quickly have you up and running with the expected KDE tools. The Koffice suite is fast and suitable for everyday word processing, spreadsheets and presentations. Multimedia capabilities have been enhanced with the inclusion of VLC Media Player, Xine and the Mplayer application and plugin. For Internet usage, Firefox is the default browser. The Pidgin multi-protocol Instant Messenger is an optional install. Web cameras are supported. Wireless networking is easily configured using Wicd. Dial-up is handled by the Chestnut dialer. The KDE game collection provides entertainment for the young and the young at heart.

After installation, your system is easily managed and extended using the VASM Control Center and the Gslapt Package Manager.

Download your copy here:

• VL6.0-KDE-Classic.iso
• md5sum: 67cb1719b7c372859cba857a94c10c3d

Feedback is welcomed in this thread:

• VL Forum

Cheers, Vec

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Vector Linux 6.0 Light Live CD

The Vector Linux team is happy to announce Vector Linux 6.0 Light LIVE.

This version is intended as a preview of the traditional installable release. It closely mirrors the original VL Light, but some packages have been added or upgraded, including the 2.6.27.29 kernel.

This is a great way to test Vector before committing to a hard drive install.
For us who already use it, our favorite OS is now portable. Another practical use is as a live toolbox for troubleshooting and/or repair.
There is a boot option for using as a rescue disc for a previously installed system. Re-mastering VL Live has been made easy for those who want their very own, personalized version.

Download your copy here:

• VL6.0-Light-LIVE-Final.iso
• md5sum: 25de906155b9e8464ca82afa7efe34cb

The password for both "root" and the "vl" account is: vector

Feedback is welcome in this thread:

• VL Forum

A big "Thank You" to all involved in the making of this release.

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Pidgin security update

New Pidgin packages are available in the testing repository for VectorLinux 6.0 and 5.9.

• Package: pidgin-2.5.6-i586-1vl60.tlz
• MD5: 488b14ac09846062bdf7db68ef9ccbd4
• Package Size: 6152 K
• Installed Size: 29310 K
• Sources: http://vectorlinux.osuosl.org/veclinux-6.0/source/testing/net/pidgin

• Package: pidgin-2.5.6-i586-1vl59.tlz
• MD5: 70c540a41744d5c599adb1ce14313064
• Package Size: 6218 K
• Installed Size: 29700 K
• Sources: http://vectorlinux.osuosl.org/veclinux-5.9/source/testing/net/pidgin

pidgin (multi-protocol Instant Messaging client)

Pidgin is an instant messaging program for Windows, Linux, BSD,
and other Unixes. You can talk to your friends using AIM, ICQ,
Jabber/XMPP, MSN Messenger, Yahoo!, Bonjour, Gadu-Gadu, IRC,
Novell GroupWise Messenger, QQ, Lotus Sametime, SILC, SIMPLE,
MySpaceIM, and Zephyr.

License: GPL
Authors: Sean Egan
Website: http://www.pidgin.im

For more information visit:

• http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2009-1373
• http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2009-1374
• http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2009-1375
• http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2009-1376

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Cyrus-sasl security update

A new Cyrus-sasl package is available in the VectorLinux repository.

• Package: cyrus-sasl-2.1.23-i486-1_slack12.1.tlz
• MD5: 8f43be8d66a90804e8fbe8af273137b5
• Package Size: 388 K
• Installed Size: 1590 K
• Sources: Vectorlinux 6.0 repository

• Package: cyrus-sasl-2.1.23-i486-1_slack12.0.tlz
• MD5: c12d662e1027b1455b62c731c2ed1ca0
• Package Size: 393 K
• Installed Size: 1600 K
• Sources: Vectorlinux 5.9 repository

cyrus-sasl: cyrus-sasl (Simple Authentication and Security Layer)
cyrus-sasl:
cyrus-sasl: This is the Cyrus SASL library. Cyrus SASL is used by mail programs
cyrus-sasl: on the client or server side to provide authentication and
cyrus-sasl: authorization services. See RFC 2222 for more information.
cyrus-sasl:
cyrus-sasl:
cyrus-sasl:
cyrus-sasl:
cyrus-sasl:
cyrus-sasl:

This is a security update, for more information check:

• http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2009-0688

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Xpdf security update

A new Xpdf package is available in the VectorLinux repository.

• Package: xpdf-3.02pl3-i486-1_slack12.1.tlz
• MD5: e807a9373423c3c88ba823acb03b5905
• Package Size: 1420 K
• Installed Size: 8660 K
• Sources: Vectorlinux 6.0 repository

• Package: xpdf-3.02pl3-i486-1_slack12.0.tlz
• MD5: f35d2117605abbdf49ea050442030a32
• Package Size: 436 K
• Installed Size: 1340 K
• Sources: Vectorlinux 5.9 repository

xpdf: xpdf (PDF viewer for X)
xpdf:
xpdf: Xpdf is a viewer for Portable Document Format (PDF) files.
xpdf:
xpdf: xpdf was written by Derek B. Noonburg.
xpdf:
xpdf: The xpdf package requires the t1lib package to render Type 1 fonts.
xpdf:
xpdf:
xpdf:
xpdf:

This is a security update, for more information check:

• http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2009-0146
• http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2009-0147
• http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2009-0165
• http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2009-0166
• http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2009-0799
• http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2009-0800
• http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2009-1179
• http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2009-1180
• http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2009-1181
• http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2009-1182
• http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2009-1183

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Gnutls security update

A new Gnutls package is available in the VectorLinux repository.

• Package: gnutls-2.6.2-i486-2_slack12.1.tlz
• MD5: 6c1537c0215834430f0ed879258c40de
• Package Size: 1354 K
• Installed Size: 3350 K
• Sources: Vectorlinux 6.0 repository

• Package: gnutls-2.6.2-i486-2_slack12.0.tlz
• MD5: ea7e522f3ab7420c8c8b78186c80506d
• Package Size: 1366 K
• Installed Size: 3360 K
• Sources: Vectorlinux 5.9 repository

gnutls: gnutls (GNU TLS library)
gnutls:
gnutls: This is a TLS (Transport Layer Security) 1.0 and SSL (Secure Sockets
gnutls: Layer) 3.0 implementation. In brief, GnuTLS can be described as a
gnutls: library which offers an API to access secure communication protocols.
gnutls: These protocols provide privacy over insecure lines, and were designed
gnutls: to prevent eavesdropping, tampering, or message forgery.
gnutls:
gnutls: Homepage: http://www.gnu.org/software/gnutls/
gnutls:
gnutls:

This is a security fix. for more information see:

• http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2009-1415
• http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2009-1416

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Ruby security update

A new Ruby package is available in the VectorLinux repository.

• Package: ruby-1.8.6_p368-i586-3vl60.tlz
• MD5: f5fb54ef02eee5beac18827bda5d305a
• Package Size: 2526 K
• Installed Size: 24690 K
• Sources: Vectorlinux 6.0 repository

• Package: ruby-1.8.6_p368-i586-1vl59.tlz
• MD5: ee36c8593ad8824941acb19126248b9a
• Package Size: 2550 K
• Installed Size: 24700 K
• Sources: Vectorlinux 5.9 repository

ruby: ruby (Interpreted object-oriented scripting language)
ruby:
ruby: Ruby is an interpreted scripting language for quick and easy
ruby: object-oriented programming. It has many features to process text
ruby: files and to do system management tasks (as in Perl). It is simple,
ruby: straight-forward, and extensible.
ruby:
ruby: Visit the Ruby project online at http://www.ruby-lang.org/
ruby:
ruby:
ruby:

This is a security fix, for more information see:

• http://www.ruby-lang.org/en/news/2008/08/23/dos-vulnerability-in-rexml/

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Firefox security update

A new Firefox package is available in the VectorLinux repository.

• Package: firefox-3.0.10-i586-1vl60.tlz
• MD5: 80dd751cb8fb9afd549b9e4397955c86
• Package Size: 7120 K
• Installed Size: 24860 K
• Sources: Vectorlinux 6.0 repository

• Package: firefox-3.0.10-i586-1vl59.tlz
• MD5: 24daeada70609b712be60ec5779787c7
• Package Size: 7118 K
• Installed Size: 24860 K
• Sources: Vectorlinux 5.9 repository

firefox: Firefox (Mozilla Firefox Web Browser)
firefox:
firefox: Firefox 3 is the next generation release of the award-winning
firefox: Firefox web browser from Mozilla.
firefox: To comply with Mozilla trademarks, and to assure quality control,
firefox: this is the official Mozilla build, packaged for VectorLinux.
firefox:
firefox:
firefox: License: MPL 1.1/GPL 2.0/LGPL 2.1
firefox: Author: Mozilla Foundation
firefox: Website: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

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Firefox security update

New Firefox packages are available for VectorLinux 5.9 and 6.0.

• Package: firefox-3.0.9-i586-1vl59.tlz
• MD5: 54b7c3e675e9710660a4ed9508137760
• Package Size: 7290 K
• Installed Size: 25460 K
• Sources: Vectorlinux 5.9 repository

• Package: firefox-3.0.9-i586-1vl60.tlz
• MD5: 94f23878f324c4ffbf9383ce2e0fff13
• Package Size: 7291 K
• Installed Size: 25460 K
• Sources: VectorLinux 6.0 repository

Firefox (Mozilla Firefox Web Browser)

Firefox 3 is the next generation release of the award-winning Firefox web browser from Mozilla.

License: MPL 1.1/GPL 2.0/LGPL 2.1
Author: Mozilla Foundation
Website: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

This build fixes a number of security problems. For details, see here:

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Udev security update

New udev packages are available for VectorLinux 5.9 and 6.0.

• Package: udev-111-i486-6_slack12.0.tlz
• MD5: d1e38a82f979b9d2c1a80efd2ac26619
• Package Size: 131 K
• Installed Size: 550 K
• Sources: VectorLinux 5.9 repository

• Package: udev-118-i486-4_slack12.1.tlz
• MD5: e819a8886c6a454fbef74963ff138802
• Package Size: 134 K
• Installed Size: 520 K
• Sources: VectorLinux 6.0 repository

udev (dynamic device directory system) udev provides a dynamic device directory containing only the files for the devices which are actually present. It creates or removes device node files usually located in the /dev directory.
Kay Sievers is the udev maintainer.

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Openssl and openssl-solibs updates

New openssl and openssl-solibs packages are available for VectorLinux 5.9 and 6.0.

• Package: openssl-0.9.8h-i486-3_slack12.0.tlz
• MD5: c3f79cea19fa1861c5395a953a6b9786
• Package Size: 2330 K
• Installed Size: 9270 K
• Sources: Vectorlinux 5.9 repository

• Package: openssl-0.9.8h-i486-3_slack12.1.tlz
• MD5: d54ff610f0fe0cf5a4d2d44e0b6c557d
• Package Size: 2307 K
• Installed Size: 9260 K
• Sources: VectorLinux 6.0 repository

openssl (Secure Sockets Layer toolkit)

The OpenSSL certificate management tool and the shared libraries that provide various encryption and decryption algorithms and protocols.
This product includes software developed by the OpenSSL Project for use in the OpenSSL Toolkit (http://www.openssl.org).
This product includes cryptographic software written by Eric Young (eay@cryptsoft.com).
This product includes software written by Tim Hudson (tjh@cryptsoft.com).

• Package: openssl-solibs-0.9.8h-i486-3_slack12.0.tlz
• MD5: 77537a9b7cf35f371357b0701aa9dafb
• Package Size: 658 K
• Installed Size: 2090 K
• Sources: VectorLinux 5.9 repository

• Package: openssl-solibs-0.9.8h-i486-3_slack12.1.tlz
• MD5: abe8cb0376ce54e3c3fb6eb0ee041c72
• Package Size: 640 K
• Installed Size: 2080 K
• VectorLinux 6.0 repository

openssl-solibs (OpenSSL shared libraries)

These shared libraries provide encryption routines required by programs such as openssh. They are also used by KDE's Konqueror web browser to provide secure web connections. This product includes software developed by the OpenSSL Project for use in the OpenSSL Toolkit (http://www.openssl.org).
This product includes cryptographic software written by Eric Young (eay@cryptsoft.com).
This product includes software written by Tim Hudson (tjh@cryptsoft.com).

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VectorLinux 6.0 Light released

The VectorLinux team is pleased to announce the final release of VL6.0 Light.
Find it here:

• VL6.0-Light-Final.iso
• md5sum 770b8789100a8097f3d200561205c0bb

Light is aimed at users with some Linux experience. It is biased towards technical simplicity and high performance. Based on VL6.0 Standard, the most resource hungry applications have been removed or replaced with lighter alternatives. Running services are kept to a minimum.

Default user interface is IceWM with Pcmanfm as your file and desktop manager. Alternate window manager is JWM. Opera provides a fast and standards-compliant web browser with Flashplayer 10 and Mplayer plugins, as well as e-mail and bittorrent clients. Firefox is also available. For local multimedia playback you will find Xmms, Gmplayer and Xine. Record audio with flrec. Vburn takes care of basic CD burning tasks. The Wicd network manager makes it easy to manage wireless connections. Pidgin Instant Messenger works with IRC, AIM, MSN, Yahoo, Google talk and several other services. The ultra-light Siag Office provides basic word processing and spreadsheet functionality. Graphics are handled by Gqview, Xpdf and Mtpaint. Additional programs include Xarchiver, Leafpad, Ripperx, Xchat, Gftp, Dillo, HV3 and the Fox applications. You can choose between the GDM or KDM login managers. GDM has the advantage of offering easy localization for non-English users. Default auto-mounter for removable devices is vl-hot.

An optional "dev" package makes it a complete Linux workstation which includes a full development environment for programming and compiling code. Full kernel sources are also included. Alongside a huge array of typical Linux command line utilities and software you get scripting languages, man pages, documentation and a complete console based on bash. Multiple toolkits are installed, supporting a wide variety of applications. The system can be further expanded using the package manager or your own packages.

It is recommended that your system meets these requirements: Pentium 200 or better compatible processor (i586 and up). 64 MB of memory - but 128 MB will greatly improve performance. Hard disk space: 2 GB for an install with X-window system, Internet and multimedia applications. 3 GB for "everything". Absolute minimum is 1.1 GB.

The 617 MB CD Image is created using low compression, which greatly speeds up the installation on slower machines. The disc contains boot floppy images for computers that are unable to boot from a CDROM drive.

After you try VectorLinux Light, please come back and post your feedback at the VL Forum.

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Vector 6.0 at Lwn.net

A review of VectorLinux 6.0 Standard Edition by Susan Linton has been pulished at lwn.net. Thanks Susan for your feedback and support.
You can read it here:

• http://lwn.net/Articles/323690/

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Lcms security update

A new lcms package is available to fix security problems.

• Package: lcms-1.18-i586-1vl60.tlz
• MD5: 1148192b99724d99d382abbb04cd6d6f
• Package Size: 187 K
• Installed Size:680 K
• Sources: http://vectorlinux.osuosl.org/veclinux-6.0/source/testing/libs/lcms

• Package: lcms-1.18-i586-1vl59.tlz
• MD5: 21d9ce57405195f81f3a6dafa1d3433b
• Package Size: 195 K
• Installed Size: 690 K
• Sources: http://vectorlinux.osuosl.org/veclinux-6.0/source/testing/libs/lcms

lcms (little cms engine)

Little cms is a small, speed optimized color management engine.
lcms was written by Marti Maria .

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Thunderbird security update

A new Mozilla Thunderbird package is available for VL6.0 and 5.9.

• Package: thunderbird-2.0.0.21-i586-1vl60.tlz
• MD5: 15113fb3614d3c38e2bc7702c756bb4c
• Package Size: 8497 K
• Installed Size: 30700 K
• Sources: http://vectorlinux.osuosl.org/veclinux-5.9/source/testing/net/thunderbird

• Package: thunderbird-2.0.0.21-i586-1vl60.tlz
• MD5: 25f0d57302235c15429b2587606ed5b3
• Package Size: 8498 K
• Installed Size: 30700 K
• Sources: http://vectorlinux.osuosl.org/veclinux-6.0/source/testing/net

thunderbird (Mozilla Thunderbird mail application)

Mozilla Thunderbird is a redesign of the Mozilla mail component written using the XUL user interface language. Thunderbird makes emailing safer, faster, and easier than ever before with the industry's best implementations of features such as intelligent spam filters, built-in RSS reader, quick search, and much more.

License: MPL 1.1/GPL 2.0/LGPL 2.1
Author: Initial Developer - Netscape Communications Corporation
Website: Website: http://www.mozilla.org/projects/thunderbird/

This is a security fix release. Details can be found here: http://www.mozilla.org/security/known-vulnerabilities/thunderbird20.html

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Firefox security update

A new Firefox package is available for VL 6.0 and 5.9.

• Package: firefox-3.0.8-i586-1vl60.tlz
• MD5: df5f4897d0733c39bf21dcd4c7ff5d96
• Package Size: 7286 K
• Installed Size: 25440 K
• Sources: http://vectorlinux.osuosl.org/veclinux-6.0/source/testing/x-apps/firefox

• Package: firefox-3.0.8-i586-1vl59.tlz
• MD5: d02e2b7021d6527d9456c7066199f41b
• Package Size: 7288 K
• Installed Size: 25440 K
• Sources: http://vectorlinux.osuosl.org/veclinux-5.9/source/testing/net/firefox

Firefox (Mozilla Firefox Web Browser)

Firefox 3 is the next generation release of the award-winning Firefox web browser from Mozilla. To comply with Mozilla trademarks, and to assure quality control, this is the official Mozilla build, packaged for VectorLinux.

License: MPL 1.1/GPL 2.0/LGPL 2.1
Author: Mozilla Foundation
Website: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

Note this is a security fix update. For details of the update, see here:

Read More…

Curl security update

An updated version of curl for VL 5.9, VL 5.9.1 and VL 6.0. This package is a security patch to close a vulnerability which could allow a file to be redirected in an inappropriate way.

• Package: curl-7.17.0-i586-2vl59.tlz
• MD5: 2d1671dee783ff5997a9c274e50cbde8
• Package Size: 485K
• Installed Size: 1260K
• Sources: http://vectorlinux.osuosl.org/veclinux-5.9/source/testing/net/curl

• Package: curl-7.16.2-i486-2_slack12.1.tlz
• MD5: 82d4dd9781ce946adf83393f02675210
• Package Size: 549K
• Installed Size: 1600K
• Sources: http://vectorlinux.osuosl.org/veclinux-6.0/source/testing/net/curl

curl (command line URL data transfer tool)

Curl is a command line tool for transferring data specified with URL syntax. The command is designed to work without user interaction or any kind of interactivity. Curl offers a busload of useful tricks like proxy support, user authentication, ftp upload, HTTP post, SSL (https:) connections, cookies, file transfer resume and more.

libcurl is a library that Curl uses to do its job. It is readily available to be used by your software, too.

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Xterm-241 security update

An updated version of xterm for VL 5.9, VL 5.9.1 and VL 6.0 is available. This package is a security patch. For details see: http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-2383. This package will be moved to patches as soon as we have adequate user testing.

• Package: xterm-241-i486-1_slack12.0.tlz
• MD5: 8f9b543a0391509da6f733c55c62dde8
• Package Size: 198K
• Installed Size: 480K
• Sources: http://vectorlinux.osuosl.org/veclinux-5.9/source/testing/x/xterm

• Package: xterm-241-i486-1_slack12.1.tlz
• MD5: d88a657bde4866201cccd19eaa76dfdf
• Package Size: 194K
• Installed Size: 470K
• Sources: http://vectorlinux.osuosl.org/veclinux-6.0/source/testing/x/xterm

xterm (terminal emulator for X)

The xterm program is a terminal emulator for the X Window System. It provides DEC VT102/VT220 (VTxxx) and Tektronix 4014 compatible terminals for programs that cannot use the window system directly.

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Firefox-3.0.7 for VL 5.9

The latest Firefox is now available for VectorLinux 5.9 also.

• Package: firefox-3.0.7-i586-1vl59.tlz
• MD5: ff07987232e32454203cb0ea21e3ef3d
• Package Size: 7.11 MB
• Installed Size: 21.85 MB
• Sources: http://vectorlinux.osuosl.org/veclinux-5.9/source/testing/net/firefox

Firefox (Mozilla Firefox Web Browser)

Firefox 3 is the next generation release of the award-winning Firefox web browser from Mozilla.
To comply with Mozilla trademarks, and to assure quality control, this is the official Mozilla build, packaged for VectorLinux.

License: MPL 1.1/GPL 2.0/LGPL 2.1
Author: Mozilla Foundation
Website: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

Read More…

Firefox-3.0.7 security update

The latest version of the Mozilla Firefox web browser is available for VL 6.0. This package is a security patch that closes three known vulnerabilities listed as "critical" by Mozilla and one more labeled as "high" risk. See: http://www.mozilla.org/security/known-vulnerabilities/firefox30.html#firefox3.0.6 . Security conscious users may wish to upgrade immediately. This package will be moved to patches as soon as we have adequate user testing.

• Package: firefox-3.0.7-i586-1vl60.tlz
• MD5: e44ebc0f2fbcd77310cb4cda282d624b
• Package Size: 7.11 MB
• Installed Size: 24.85 MB
• Sources: http://vectorlinux.osuosl.org/veclinux-6.0/source/testing/net/firefox

Firefox (Mozilla Firefox Web Browser)

Firefox 3 is the next generation release of the award-winning Firefox web browser from Mozilla.
To comply with Mozilla trademarks, and to assure quality control, this is the official Mozilla build, packaged for VectorLinux.

License: MPL 1.1/GPL 2.0/LGPL 2.1
Author: Mozilla Foundation
Website: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

Read More…