Best way to test using different versions of browser?

Asked By sclomat 0 points N/A Posted on - 09/14/2011

I need to test a website using different versions of Firefox. What's the best way to do it? Are there other options other than uninstalling and then installing a new version?

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Answered By Patrick b 0 points N/A #123532

Best way to test using different versions of browser?

Hi there, Sclomat!

I suggest you set up several virtual machines. This way, you won't have to worry about messing up your main operating system. You can download Virtualbox and set up 1 Windows guest OS. The latest Virtualbox has this feature that lets it clone a virtual machine.

This way you only have to set up a guest OS once and then just clone it. For networking, just set it up as bridged networking (NAT will also work but if you want each machine to have their own IP addresses then I suggest bridged networking). The advantages of this solution are:

1. You don't have to worry about ruining your current OS.

2. It is possible run all Firefox versions at the same time so you can do a side-by-side comparison.

3. You can even setup Linux as a virtual machine in case you need to test Firefox for Linux version.

The disadvantages however are:

1. You might need to add memory if you intend to run all virtual machines at the same time. Each virtual machine typically needs 512 MB memory if your guest OS is WinXP and more if you want Windows 7.

2. More hard disk space will be used as each VM typically needs around 10 GB.

Hope this helps!

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• Posted on - 09/15/2011
• Question Category: Firefox

Answered By Patrick b 0 points N/A #123533

Best way to test using different versions of browser?

Hi again, Sclomat!

Here's another nifty solution: Utilu Mozilla Firefox Collection (UtiluMFC) that I just found out. Thanks for your question.

It has all these versions of Mozilla Firefox:

Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.20

Mozilla Firefox 3.0.19.0

Mozilla Firefox 3.5.19.0

Mozilla Firefox 3.6.22.0

Mozilla Firefox 4.0.1.0

Mozilla Firefox 5.0.1.0

Mozilla Firefox 6.0.2.0

Mozilla Firefox 7.0.0.0 beta 5

Mozilla Firefox 8.0.0.0 Aurora

Mozilla Firefox 9.0.0.0 Nightly

 

Plus these plug-ins:

Firebug 1.8.2 add-on

Web Developer 1.1.9 add-on

Flash Player 10.3.183.7 plug-in

 

One feature I find useful for web testers and developers is that it can open a URL on ALL versions in just one click. Cool.

 

Hope this helps!

 

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• Posted on - 09/15/2011
• Question Category: Firefox