Mozilla Plugin Support on Linux (x86_64)
Note: This document is still a work in progress.
Contents [Skip]
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Introduction
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nspluginwrapper
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CrossOver Linux
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Working Plugins
Introduction
Until fairly recently, plugins for 64 bit browsers on x86_64 Linux systems have essentially been non-existant. Well, they're still more or less non-existant as far as major ones go, however now we have reliable means of running other plugins with 64 bit browsers. This document covers using nspluginwrapper to run 32 bit Linux browser plugins and CrossOver Linux to run 32 bit Windows browser plugins, as well as native plugins where available.
32 bit Browsers on 64 bit Systems
Using a 32 bit browser on a 64 bit system has been the most common way of getting plugins to work. Users of 32 bit browsers on 64 bit systems should consult the Linux (x86) section of PluginDoc for more information.
32 and 64 bit Plugins on the Same System
32 and 64 bit browser plugins can exist in the same directory. 64 bit browsers can not load the 32 bit plugins and vice versa. You'll get a bit of interesting reading if you're running SeaMonkey or Firefox from a terminal, but it won't hurt anything.
nspluginwrapper
What is nspluginwrapper?
nspluginwrapper allows you to use Netscape compatible (NPAPI) plugins on platforms that they were not built on - in this instance, using 32bit browser plugins with x86_64 browsers. This is beta software, and licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL).
The plugins listend in this document have been tested with nspluginwrapper 0.9.91.1 on a SuSE Linux 10.2 system using the included build of SeaMonkey 1.1b, as well as a SuSE 10.1 system using my x86_64 build of SeaMonkey 1.1a. All instructions also apply to Mozilla Firefox 1.5.0.x and Mozilla Firefox 2.0.
Download nspluginwrapper
The latest release of nspluginwrapper at the time of writing is 0.9.91.2. It would be a good idea to take a quick glance at the Release Notes before installing.
nspluginwrapper 0.9.91.2 binaries: [Plugin (RPM)] [Viewer (RPM)]
nspluginwrapper 0.9.91.2 source: [tar.bz2] [RPM]
Installing nspluginwrapper
RPM Based Distributions
Installing nspluginwrapper on an RPM based system is easy enough, simply install the packages using the tool of your choice. These RPMs are known to work on SuSE Linux 10.1 and Mandriva, I haven't tested them elsewhere.
DEB Based Distributions
On systems that use the DEB packaging system (Debian, Ububtu, etc), the RPM packages can be converted using alien and installed. Install alien and all dependencies, download the nspluginwrapper RPMs, then do the following to convert and install them (note: this was tested on the x86_64 version of Ubuntu 6.06 [Dapper], instructions may have to be modified for other distributions):
sudo alien -d nspluginwrapper-0.9.91.1-1.x86_64.rpm sudo alien -d nspluginwrapper-i386-0.9.91.1-1.x86_64.rpm sudo dpkg -i nspluginwrapper*.deb sudo ln -s /usr/lib/nspluginwrapper/x86_64/npconfig /usr/bin/nspluginwrapper
nspluginwrapper requires linux32. Make sure this is installed before trying to use it.
nspluginwrapper is apparently included with Ubuntu 6.10 (Edgy Eft), but not installed by default. You can install it using apt-get or synaptic.
Build From Source
Instructions for compiling nspluginwrapper from source are available at the nspluginwrapper Help Center. This is NOT recommended if you are able to install a binary package!
CrossOver Linux
What is CrossOver Linux?
CrossOver Linux allows you to use 32bit Windows applications and browser plugins on x86 and x86_64 Linux systems, using WINE. This is commercial software, available for purchase from the CodeWeavers Store. It is a good option when the Linux version of a plugin does not exist (or is out of date), and is an alternative if nspluginwrapper doesn't work well with a plugin. It is also easier to use than nspluginwrapper.
The plugins listed in this document have been tested using CrossOver Linux 6.0 Beta 2 on a SuSE Linux 10.1 system, using my x86_64 build of SeaMonkey 1.1a. All instructions also apply to Mozilla Firefox 1.5.0.7 and Mozilla Firefox 2.0.
Download and Install CrossOver Linux
CrossOver Linux 6.0 Beta 2 is publically available, and is vastly improved over the current release version (5.0.3). Installation is easy, simply download the trial and run the installer. This software is best installed as a user.
Working Plugins
Adobe Reader 7.0 (nspluginwrapper)
Works Wellnspluginwrapper -i /usr/X11R6/lib/Acrobat7/Browser/intellinux/nppdf.soIf you have Adobe Reader installed in a non-default location, alter that path accordingly.
Adobe Reader 7.0.9 is yet another security fix release.
DjVuLibre
Supported- Install DjVuLibre.
- Copy or create a symbolic link to nsdejavu.so in your Mozilla plugins directory.
This is a native 64bit browser plugin.
Flash Player 9.0 (nspluginwrapper)
Works Wellnspluginwrapper -i /usr/lib/browser-plugins/libflashplayer.so
Flash Player 9.0 (CrossOver Linux)
Works WellGnash
Supported- Install Gnash - packages are strongly recommended where available.
- Copy or create a symbolic link to libgnashplugin.so in your Mozilla plugins directory.
This is a native 64bit browser plugin.
Java Runtime Environment 1.4.2 (Blackdown)
Works Well- Download Blackdown JRE
- Open a terminal, and change to the directory where you wish to install the JRE (eg. /usr/java)
- Run the Blackdown JRE package executable. This will extract the JRE in the current directory.
- Run the following command: ln -s ./j2re1.4.2/plugin/amd64/mozilla/libjavaplugin_oji.so ~/.mozilla/plugins/libjavaplugin_oji.so
It is critical that you create a symbolic link to the Java plugin rather than copying it. If you copy it, your browser will crash whenever you load a page that has a Java applet.
LinuxJ2K (nspluginwrapper)
Works Well- Download LinuxJ2K Plugin (glibc2.3 version).
- Decompress it, then copy npjp2_linux_jasper_pthread.so to the location of your choice (eg. /usr/lib/browser-plugins/), then run the following command:
nspluginwrapper -i /usr/lib/browser-plugins/npjp2_linux_jasper_pthread.soAlter the path accordingly if the plugin is installed elsewhere.
RealPlayer 10 or Helix Player (nspluginwrapper)
Works Wellnspluginwrapper -i /usr/lib/browser-plugins/nphelix.soIf the browser plugin is installed at a different location, alter that path accordingly.
