Tiny Core Linux
Tiny Core Extensions => TCE Tips & Tricks => Topic started by: nick65go on September 05, 2025, 03:39:06 PM
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https://www.phoronix.com/news/Firefox-Ending-32-bit-Linux (https://www.phoronix.com/news/Firefox-Ending-32-bit-Linux)
My understanding is that no many (if any) TC developers compile Firefox from sources. So most TC users grab a Firefox using a smart script (get-firefox-latest.sh) to grab already compiled Firefox from horse mouth. From year 2026 this will not be possible, and no Firefox securities / updates will be available easy to download for 32 bits.
This is an important / unfair kick in the back for understaffed /hobby Linux distros . At least for me, without Firefox browser I will not touch a distro for production or important LIVE things.
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I’ve compiled Firefox for tinycore/piCore a number of times, it’s been difficult to do so for x86 for some time now.
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haven't tried/used seamonkey for a few years but it looks like they still do 32bit:
https://www.seamonkey-project.org/releases/#official
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haven't tried/used seamonkey for a few years but it looks like they still do 32bit:
I own a Dell INSPIRON mini 10, CPU is Intel Atom A270 at 1.6GHz with 1GB RAM and 16GB SSD, display 10 inch, from stone age (year 2006-2009 maybe). It doesn't have a scratch, perfect functional (if you forget the dead battery). So it has no x86-64 instructions.
Except this laptop, I can bet that (almost) never in my life I will BUY a device with CPU on 32 bits + BIOS. First of all that all NEW laptops are UEFI + 64 bits CPU (in the countries where I travel /stay), and I do not intent to buy old devices (they can be near their end of life because wearing parts, excessive usage etc.).
Therefore 32 bits will be useful in containers, isolated / virtual machines , in our days of concern about security and privacy (for people who care). At least is a step in the right direction for protection, and speed.
FYI: Ideal software for me is code written in ASM (machine code) as Kolibri OS, or maybe x32 (small pointers 32 bits + large CPU registries 64 bits), but not much software as this in Linux distros. https://wiki.debian.org/X32Port
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haven't tried/used seamonkey for a few years but it looks like they still do 32bit:
https://www.seamonkey-project.org/releases/#official
They announced in the release notes for the current version, 2.53.21, that it is planned to be the last release with 32-bit support.
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There is 32-bit version of Chromium based web browser for Windows XP. I hope someone will create 32-bit version of Gecko based web browser. Maybe K-Meleon with Wine will works.
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Maybe some of you did not understand the main concern. It does not matter if it runs on linux or windows (Xp, w10-12 etc). It matters that the current version that you run to be up to date regarding the securities holes to be patched. and to be capable to decode the latest internet movies.
Or else, (if you just want to browse the internet for reading text files or downloading some archives), you do not need the latest Firefox. Just use wget or curl to download something. Or dillo, netsurtf, elinks or even an very old firefox/chrome/palemon whatever to read web pages.
Anyway the old hardware will NOT be able to decode latest codes on you-tube in real time. My humble recommendation, do not even think about banking of financing online with the old Firefox. YMMV.
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Most probably, old hardware will decode 144p video, even with new codecs.
Probably someone compile Firefox from source code in 32-bit Linux, if libraries will be compatible.
Firefox has about 4% market share, and if Mozilla won't find out new source of money, the project will decline.
Online banking is not problem on old browser, if you have good one-time password mechanism, and you don't alocatte your fortune in one bank, and online banking is designed to protect any movement of money with one-time password.
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Probably someone compile Firefox from source code in 32-bit Linux, if libraries will be compatible.
Wow, so your hope is that someone (unknown person) will share somewhere (on a not trusted site) few times in a year, for many years, a binary for a browser, then I wish you all the best for your fortune/wealth.
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if you have good one-time password mechanism
I’m thinking if someone visits shady websites and they get hacked or installs an hacked version, an hacker can change what’s being displayed on the web browser to make one think that they’re doing the operation they’re thinking they’re doing, but instead transferring the money anywhere. Even OTP won’t solve this if all the communication is proxied by the hacker. Be cautious.
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I managed to build firefox-140.2.0-ESR - posted to x86 repo
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if you have good one-time password mechanism
I’m thinking if someone visits shady websites and they get hacked or installs an hacked version, an hacker can change what’s being displayed on the web browser to make one think that they’re doing the operation they’re thinking they’re doing, but instead transferring the money anywhere. Even OTP won’t solve this if all the communication is proxied by the hacker. Be cautious.
That's why I don't keep big amount of money in online banking. You can have two bank accounts. One for buying on the internet, second as piggy bank.
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Probably someone compile Firefox from source code in 32-bit Linux, if libraries will be compatible.
Wow, so your hope is that someone (unknown person) will share somewhere (on a not trusted site) few times in a year, for many years, a binary for a browser, then I wish you all the best for your fortune/wealth.
I trust Debian and Tiny Core Linux maintainers.
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@Juanito, thanks!