When and Where to Get Firefox 3

June 17, 2008 at 6:29 am · News

So you woke up early, ran to your PC, wanted to download Firefox 3 and you see there is no buzz about it yet. Did you mark the right day on your calendar?

Yes, today is Download Day for Firefox 3.

Right now we are just waiting for Mountain View, California, USA at 10:00:00 AM. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) to happen. At that time the switch will be flipped and Firefox 3 will be ready for the masses!

To help with the time conversions, check out this link. For the US, it looks like the eastern time zone will get it at 1:00 PM. The central time zone gets it at noon. The mountain time zone gets it at 11:00 AM and the west coast will get it at 10:00 AM.

Now I just wonder how many times an hour the Firefox home page will be refreshed during the day looking for changes?

Keep sending in your comments and questions, will be helping you all through out the day!

Update: Watch the Mozilla team’s progress through all of today’s tasks and jobs: http://wiki.mozilla.org/Releases/Firefox_3.0

Update #2: Once the time has come, most of us can pickup the download here: http://releases.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/3.0/win32/en-US/ Downloading from here will not be counted towards the world record downloads. So please try to do it via getfirefox.com.

Update #3: Loads of fake Firefox 3 sites are popping up, especially on sites like Digg.com. Please make sure you go to mozilla.org to download Firefox 3 and no where else.

Update #4: Less than an hour to go, and SpreadFirefox.com is having MySQL connection issues. All you Spread Firefox peeps feel free to join us here. :D

Update #5: It’s time! No wait - getfirefox.com is already dead.

Update #6: Here is the latest from Mozilla:

The outpouring of interest and enthusiasm around Firefox 3 has been overwhelming (literally!). Our servers are currently feeling the burn and should be back to normal shortly. Download day will officially commence once the site goes live. The 24 hours period will be clocked from that moment. Thanks for your continued support.

Update #7: Mozilla’s Firefox web site is coming back up with a new design!
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

Update #8: Mozilla’s Firefox web site is now pointing to the Firefox 3 download link. Enjoy! (If you get “connection interrupted” try again… later.)

Update #9: Able to grab Firefox 3 yet? If so, then grab your own certificate as a special gift for helping out:

http://www.spreadfirefox.com/en-US/worldrecord/certificate_form

Update #10: Mozilla.com web traffic is pushing well over 2 Gigabits a second of just pure HTTP traffic. That is in addition to the 13 Gigabits a second or so of download traffic. We are still at around 14,000 download/minute and mozilla.com is responding well! Go Mozilla community and IT team!

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Tags: Firefox News, Firefox-3, launch, mozilla, release date

Jason said,

June 17, 2008 @ 8:13 am

That’s seriously kinda lame. Calling today “Download Day” but having only *half* the day actually be download day is … wuhh? Plus, I’d think it would spread the stress on teh servers out if it’d been available since the AM in the east.

Mitch said,

June 17, 2008 @ 8:21 am

True, guess they are trying to make it as fair as they can for everybody around the world.

Jason said,

June 17, 2008 @ 9:04 am

But when the VAST majority of the download pledges are in North America, that consideration of “fair” should be weighted. (Also should be weighted for the consideration of the stress on their servers and potentially overloading them with downloads all at once).

But hey, I guess the Mozilla team wanted to sleep in on the big day of this release. Makes sense.

TheBigHenry said,

June 17, 2008 @ 9:36 am

There are so many sites screaming about “download day”, some guidance would be appreciated:

(1) Which is the OFFICIAL download site (USA)?

(2) Will downloading Firefox 3 replace existing Firefox 2?

(3) If answer to (2) is no, should Firefox 2 be removed before Firefox 3 is downloaded? Or can they co-exist without interfering with each other?

Thanx.
TheBigHenry

Mitch said,

June 17, 2008 @ 9:40 am

Hi Henry, this link is the only one I would recommend downloading Firefox 3 from. I too have seen a lot of fake sites out there too (mostly scammers on Digg).

Also yes, Firefox 3 will replace Firefox 2 - so might be a good idea to do a back up just in case before upgrading if you are afraid of your bookmarks/ect being lost.

Brandon said,

June 17, 2008 @ 9:58 am

On the site you linked to that shows Mozilla’s progress today, it now says “download day cancelled” at the bottom.

PLEASE SAY IT AINT SO!!!

TwisterMc said,

June 17, 2008 @ 10:08 am

Can’t wait for noon here in MN. :D

Mitch said,

June 17, 2008 @ 10:09 am

Brandon:
Very odd, but since the changes haven’t been reflected anywhere else I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Little less than 2 hours and we should find out. :P

TwisterMC:
Happy to have you join us here. :D

Brandon said,

June 17, 2008 @ 10:12 am

Thanks guys. Long time reader, first time poster :)

TheBigHenry said,

June 17, 2008 @ 10:17 am

I just checked that page. At the bottom it states:

Release & Download Day announced June 17th, 10:00am PDT
Retrieved from “http://wiki.mozilla.org/Releases/Firefox_3.0″
This page was last modified 14:52, 17 June 2008. This page has been accessed 46,133 times.

I saw nothing about “download day cancelled”.

Mitch said,

June 17, 2008 @ 10:19 am

Very weird, they changed it back. I think somebody at Mozilla is having fun messing with our heads.

Mickie said,

June 17, 2008 @ 10:26 am

Hi Mitch just saw your post on twitter about this and wanted to tell you thanks for this spectacular resource. Now I join everybody else in line waiting for Firefox 3!!!

TheBigHenry said,

June 17, 2008 @ 10:29 am

Whoever is trying to mess with our heads would have to be an asshole, considering all the effort that went into hyping download day records, etc.

What kind of outfit is Mozilla? I can’t imagine Google, for instance, allowing their staff to f*ck around like that.

r2r said,

June 17, 2008 @ 10:57 am

“What kind of outfit is Mozilla? I can’t imagine Google, for instance, allowing their staff to f*ck around like that.”

I think it’s rather funny. But, then again, I have a sense of humor.

Mitch said,

June 17, 2008 @ 11:01 am

Thanks Mickie, looks like we got 59 minutes left!

Jason said,

June 17, 2008 @ 11:07 am

heh well my point stands. spreadfirefox.com is now not responding.

This is why they should have spread the Download Day across the day for North America. Now the majority of Download Day pledges will hammer it all at once instead of spread across the time zones as people wake up/get to work.

Mitch said,

June 17, 2008 @ 11:13 am

Yep, just added a new update to the post. :) Looks like a MySQL connection issue - too many people hitting it hard.

Update: It’s back up. Will probably go up and down all day long.

TheBigHenry said,

June 17, 2008 @ 12:00 pm

“I think it’s rather funny. But, then again, I have a sense of humor.”

Of course it’s funny. My point is, when corporate goals are involved, if kidding around could have a negative impact, the joker would be canned immediately, if not sooner.

Mitch said,

June 17, 2008 @ 12:05 pm

Speaking of which, it is time and….

getfirefox.com is almost dead already. :)

TheBigHenry said,

June 17, 2008 @ 12:16 pm

Smells amateurish to me. I agree with Jason. That “Download Day” record was a stupid idea.

They should have made it available at 1-hour intervals per timezone around the world.

momuone said,

June 17, 2008 @ 12:18 pm

We are still waiting in Saudi Arabia. It’s early evening. I anticipate I will get it tomorrow morning our time when everyone is getting to bed in the US. Disappointed.

Baby Ralph said,

June 17, 2008 @ 12:21 pm

where is my firefox 3.0!!

r2r said,

June 17, 2008 @ 12:23 pm

@TheBigHenry,

I remember back in the “old” days, like when we were waiting for version 0.9 to come out, and Ben Goodger himself used to drop in on the forums and create a frenzy. Back then, there was no “exact” time when a release would hit; only a date. I can remember Ben playing jokes in the forums by hinting that the release wouldn’t come out on that day.

To me, I think it’s fun. I think that sometimes we lose sight that this can be fun, and I for one am glad that Firefox still has a sense of humor. Of course, Microsoft would never allow that to happen. I may be old school, but I think that is one of Microsoft’s biggest problems.

Muskar said,

June 17, 2008 @ 12:32 pm

After lots of loading time I have accessed several of mozilla firefox’s pages - none of them seems to have the update ready.

I found a real release of Firefox 3.0 on another site, and it worked, but I’m not gonna install it before I get the real one that counts for a download.

Mitch said,

June 17, 2008 @ 12:36 pm

Well, checking the release times looks like it hasn’t been updated past the deadline. Time to sit back and wait this one out.

If anybody gets through be sure to let us know. :D

r2r said,

June 17, 2008 @ 12:36 pm

Hmmm, just got it!!! It pays to remain positive, boys!

r2r said,

June 17, 2008 @ 12:37 pm

By the way, I got 3.0 at the link Mitch mentioned above: http://releases.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/3.0/win32/en-US/

AE4713 said,

June 17, 2008 @ 12:39 pm

I’m getting a not quite yet message

Baby Ralph said,

June 17, 2008 @ 12:39 pm

but r2r maybe that doesn’t count for the download day world guiness record!!

Muskar said,

June 17, 2008 @ 12:41 pm

r2r

“Last Modified
11-Jun-2008 02:18″

anyways, are you sure the link is gonna count?

Muskar said,

June 17, 2008 @ 12:42 pm

just refresh a few times fellows

r2r said,

June 17, 2008 @ 12:43 pm

“anyways, are you sure the link is gonna count?”

I don’t think it will; however, I have to install Firefox 3.0 on about 20 computers here at work, so I feel sure all of them will count.

TwisterMc said,

June 17, 2008 @ 12:44 pm

Will the releases.mozilla.org links count towards the goal? They are the only sites that are alive. :)

Muskar said,

June 17, 2008 @ 12:45 pm

Well, shouldn’t it say “Last modified Jun 17″ at least?

Brandon said,

June 17, 2008 @ 12:46 pm

That release site doesn’t have the final version. Notice it was last modified June 11th, that’s RC3

Muskar said,

June 17, 2008 @ 12:46 pm

oh nevermind me! I think it’s just the file that isn’t edited since then. Because the parent folder is updated at 17th june

r2r said,

June 17, 2008 @ 12:49 pm

Not sure, but I would think that 3.0 would have been released at getfirefox.com on or about the same time the link above was released. About Mozilla Firefox shows version 3.0.

TwisterMc said,

June 17, 2008 @ 12:52 pm

http://mozilla.mirrors.easynews.com/mozilla/firefox/releases/3.0/

Muskar said,

June 17, 2008 @ 12:55 pm

It says Welcome to Firefox Release Candidate 3… either it’s linking wrong or it’s just the old release..

Muskar said,

June 17, 2008 @ 12:57 pm

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/3.0/whatsnew/
That’s what I was refered to after opening it the first time.

Baby Ralph said,

June 17, 2008 @ 12:58 pm

i just got the site to load and it still says firefox 2!!! what’s the deal!

Muskar said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:01 pm

yeah, getfirefox.com is not updated yet, that’s for sure.

Baby Ralph said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:07 pm

it’s been over an hour! this is just getting RIDICULOUS!!!!

Vili Maunula said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:09 pm

There seems to be an official announcement from Mozilla:
http://blog.mozilla.com/blog/2008/06/17/firefox-3-coming-soon/

“The outpouring of interest and enthusiasm around Firefox 3 has been overwhelming (literally!). Our servers are currently feeling the burn and should be back to normal shortly. Download day will officially commence once the site goes live. The 24 hours period will be clocked from that moment. Thanks for your continued support.”

Baby Ralph said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:12 pm

maybe this world record thing was a bad idea!!!

TheBigHenry said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:13 pm

It looks to me like they will set a record. By the time they are ready, it will be tomorrow, and the new record for LOWEST number of downloads on “Down Load Day” will be set: zero!

Muskar said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:16 pm

If it happens to fall out in that way, it would be extremely ironic, because the reason that they got the lowest count would be because they advertised too much about the release date and getting the highest ever.

btw, http://www.getfirefox.com/ changed

Baby Ralph said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:16 pm

yeah you tell em henry!!

Mitch said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:20 pm

Downloading from the FTP server/account won’t count as far as the world record goal goes. Just updated the main post to reflect the latest word we have gotten from Mozilla.

Muskar said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:20 pm

just got a mail saying this is the link:
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/?p=downloadday

Mitch said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:22 pm

Thanks Muskar, but looks like even for the download link it is saying “2.0.0.14 for Windows”.

Muskar said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:23 pm

probably, haven’t gotten more than this text displaying on the page:

<<<<<<< .mine =======

r2r said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:24 pm

Mitch, I think that will change to 3.0 when available.

Mitch said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:26 pm

Right, I bet ya - the regular http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/ is working here too, but still pointing to 2 instead of 3.

Cross your fingers, might almost be ready to download!

Muskar said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:26 pm

oh, I got through, but as you said, it isn’t updated yet.

Muskar said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:28 pm

yet again unavailable.

If anyone get’s a direct download link, would you care to post it?

Mitch said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:29 pm

This may also be a good time to welcome all the new readers here (looks like we are becoming a major watching point for Firefox 3 news) and ask everybody to go subscribe if you like it:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/firefoxfacts

Plenty more where this came from. :) All I ask in return is a bump in my subscription numbers today. lol

AE4713 said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:30 pm

ZDnet has this to say: IMPORTANT: Downloads from FTP server and direct links will not count towards the Guinness World Record attempt for the most software downloads in a day. If participation in this event is important to you, wait for the official release.

Muskar said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:30 pm

they changed the graphics now, ballons and stuff

TheBigHenry said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:30 pm

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/?from=getfirefox

At the above URL, the download button is now labeled “Firefox 3″ BUT the version number given is “2.0.0.14 for Windows”! WTF?!

Baby Ralph said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:33 pm

someone forgot to change the download thing!!

r2r said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:34 pm

@TheBigHenry,

Humor AND patience!

Muskar said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:36 pm

lol the download button is removed xD - it’s like watching the build up of a website q;

Muskar said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:37 pm

hmm, it’s back again, but with the same deal about 2.0.0.14

Baby Ralph said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:38 pm

i’m not brushing my teeth today until i download firefox 3!!!

Muskar said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:39 pm

it works!

Muskar said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:39 pm

the button changed, but now it’s down…

Muskar said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:40 pm

I guess I weren’t faster than the other 100.000 desperate people out there :p

r2r said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:40 pm

There it is. Thanks Muskar.

Muskar said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:41 pm

Does the english version work?

AE4713 said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:42 pm

downloading now….slowly but downloading

r2r said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:42 pm

Downloading now!

Muskar said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:42 pm

download done, lets see if it’s the real one this time.

TheBigHenry said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:43 pm

@June 17, 2008 @ 1:34 pm r2r said, “Humor AND patience!”

I know; you’re right. But … WTF!!

r2r said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:44 pm

Same build I downloaded earlier:

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.9) Gecko/2008052906 Firefox/3.0

momuone said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:48 pm

i just got an email from Mozilla.com indicating the download is gonna happen 24 hours from now.

Muskar said,

June 17, 2008 @ 1:48 pm

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; da; rv:1.9) Gecko/2008052906 Firefox/3.0

confirmed - so if this is the final release, it was out before their official site was out.

Mitch said,

June 17, 2008 @ 2:08 pm

Yep, looks good as long as it doesn’t time out on you. Gotten a few “connection interrupted” messages.

r2r said,

June 17, 2008 @ 2:16 pm

Thanks Mitch. Enjoyed hangin’ out here and waiting on FX 3.0 with all you guys. And remember, TheBigHenry, patience is a virtue!

Regards,
Ron

Des said,

June 17, 2008 @ 2:17 pm

I downloaded Firefox Setup 3.0 and at the end of the installation the message, “Were Sorry. Firefox had a problem and crashed…” Anbody know why?

Mitch said,

June 17, 2008 @ 2:19 pm

Hey Ron, your welcome back anytime! Don’t be a stranger! Actually that goes for ALL OF YOU! :D

Des, you might restart and try again.

Howard said,

June 17, 2008 @ 2:21 pm

Hey Mitch!

How’s it going on that side of the world? Well, it’s 20:20 BST here in the UK and I’m now rocking Firefox 3.0 straight from http://www.mozilla.com

I’ve been watching it all day on Mozilla.com and from what I read the servers went live again on 11:16AM PDT 19:11 BST Although the servers only just went live again recently from what I can tell.

Des said,

June 17, 2008 @ 2:34 pm

I continue to get the Crash message immediately following Completing Setup Wizard. I can’t even access Firefox now.

Mitch said,

June 17, 2008 @ 2:38 pm

Hey Howard! *waves*

Des, might try uninstalling and then re-installing to see if that works. If not, might try asking around here for people who might be able to help:

http://forums.mozillazine.org/

Hope that helps get you in the right direction at least. :)

Mitch said,

June 17, 2008 @ 2:47 pm

Thought I’d also toss in I’ve got Firefox 3 (the final version) running here and it is going good.

Jason said,

June 17, 2008 @ 5:58 pm

Anyone else having problems where mouse clicks don’t work for things like the toolbar or bookmarks?

r2r said,

June 17, 2008 @ 6:09 pm

“Anyone else having problems where mouse clicks don’t work for things like the toolbar or bookmarks?”

Works perfectly for me. Have you tried running in Safe Mode or new Profile? It sounds like you may have an extension causing the problem.

Firefox 3 - In Action Video Screencast | Firefox Facts said,

June 18, 2008 @ 7:00 am

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