We do not understand what Mozilla Firefox means by Firefox Final Release Channel

Question

We are a university that uses the Blackboard Vista 8 product. In order for our students to complete their courses online in Blackboard, they have to use compatible and certified browsers. The Blackboard vendor has a website detailing which browsers the students should use. The URL is http://kb.blackboard.com/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=75071574. No one understands what the vendor (Blackboard) or Mozilla Firefox means by the phrase "Firefox (Final Release Channel)." Does this mean the latest version of Firefox? If so, why not say the latest version and where did the word "channel" come from and what does it mean? It's not explained anywhere on the Firefox website.

Answer 1

Mozilla has 4 channels. In order of less to more secure and stable: Nightly, Aurora, Beta, Release.
On the page you reference, "Final Release Channel" refers to Mozilla's "Release". These are versions that have been completed and "pushed" out for download by everyone. The most current version is always available at https://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/fx/ (currently, Firefox 6.0).
There are only 2 currently supported versions: Firefox 6.0 and Firefox 3.6.20.
*All other versions have stability and security issues that will not be corrected, but are corrected in the updated versions, as they are released.
Other download links:
*Current version (now version 6.0): http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/all.html
*Older supported version (now 3.6.20): http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/all-older.html
According to the chart on the page you referenced, your students should be using Firefox 3.6.20 (Firefox 3.5.x versions are no longer supported or updated).
The certified/compatible classifications are Blackboard's determination.
'''<u>Firefox Portable</u>'''<br />
If your students wish to use the most current version of Firefox for their everyday browsing and use a Blacboard compatible version for use only with Blackboard activities, they can have both on their systems by installing Firefox Portable (not produced by Mozilla):
*Firefox Portable installs in a separate folder on your hard drive so that it does not interfere with your current version Firefox settings or personal information (bookmarks, passwords, etc.). Add-ons are also kept separate.
*You can also install Firefox Portable on a USB/thumb/pin/jump drive.
*Firefox Portable general information: http://portableapps.com/apps/internet/firefox_portable
*Firefox Portable 3.6.20 download links: http://portableapps.com/apps/internet/firefox_portable/localization#legacy36
*Firefox Portable user forum: http://portableapps.com/forums/support/firefox_portable
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Not related to your question, but...
You need to update some plug-ins ('''''on the system you used to post your question'''''):
*Plug-in check: https://www-trunk.stage.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/
*Adobe Shockwave for Director Netscape plug-in: [https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Using%20the%20Shockwave%20plugin%20with%20Firefox#w_installing-shockwave Installing ('''''or Updating''''') the Shockwave plugin with Firefox]
*Shockwave Flash (Adobe Flash or Flash): [https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Managing%20the%20Flash%20plugin#w_updating-flash Updating Flash in Firefox]