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I am having problems with Adobe Flash. I have the latest version installed for Firefox. It keeps crashing my computer and I was wondering if there was any alternative that works with videos that require an updated Flash. If there isn't an alternative, is there any software that keeps flash stable? Another problem I have is that even though I updated my Flash, some videos say that my Flash isn't updated. I know Flash is pretty rubbish in Linux and OSX. Is there any alternative for Flash? Is Gnash any good? Is it still supported and developed? Please help.

BuZZ-dEE
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Mark Kirby
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  • What Ubuntu are you running? 32 or 64 bit? How does flash run on Chrome or Chromium? – LnxSlck Jul 14 '12 at 11:48
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    I am using 32bit 12.04 I will try chrome but am looking for a way to fix Firefox rather than to switch browser will let you know about chrome tho..... – Mark Kirby Jul 14 '12 at 11:51
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    Try Gnash or Lightspark then – LnxSlck Jul 14 '12 at 11:52
  • if by alternative you mean a good or better one, the answer is 'no'. I just tried Gnash and Lightspark and I will agree with the respondent Bowser, below :http://askubuntu.com/a/163486/47206 –  Jul 28 '12 at 13:52
  • someone should make an answer on shumway – Mateo Jul 14 '15 at 13:41

5 Answers5

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For alternatives as you said, there's Gnash and Lightspark.

To install open Terminal (Press Ctrl+Alt+T) and copy the following commands in the Terminal:

For "Official PPA of the Lightspark project"Launchpad logo:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:sparkers/ppa

or for "Automated daily builds from ustream git master"Launchpad logo:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:sparkers/daily

Installation:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install lightspark browser-plugin-lightspark

Click here for instructions on using PPAs.

NOTE - Update for Ubuntu 15.04, using Lightspark Version 0.7.2-6 (The above PPA repository does not appear to be working in Ubuntu 15.04)

Lightspark 0.7.2-6 deb package can be installed directly via the software centre, which is invoked by clicking the "Install Using Apt" button on the following web page:

http://www.ubuntuupdates.org/package/core/vivid/universe/base/browser-plugin-lightspark

Community
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LnxSlck
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Depending on what you use Flash for. If you only need it for Youtube and a few well known sites you can use the addon FlashVideoReplacer for Firefox, or the Greasemonkey script Linterna Mágica. LM works on many sites and also on Chrome and Opera in additional to Firefox, though I notice that if Flash is installed it doesn't work on Firefox (Flash player will load while LM is loading, so you have two instances of the video). Also LM doesn't work on Youtube if you use Chrome (it used to, it just stopped working a few days ago)

For Youtube you also have other options like Minitube or SMPlayer (install from rvm's PPA, the new versions have a Youtube viewer)

I have played with Gnash and Lightspark on different distros and different machines. My conclusion is that they are complete waste of time. They never work except for a few demos. I see people recommending them on many Linux sites, either they have better experience somehow or these guys have never tried it themselves.

BuZZ-dEE
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bowser
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You can install the flash plugin from the software center or through the terminal using sudo apt-get install flashplugin-installer

Rahul
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Although Gnash is preffered, you also have Lightspark.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:sssup/sssup-ppa && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install lightspark

Note: Lightspark requires Adobe Flash removed before installation.

Better still, use Google Chrome. It has Flash built in (though Chromium does not).

BuZZ-dEE
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Akshit Baunthiyal
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One that I tried recently is swfdec. It is very good! It can be downloaded from

sudo apt-get install swfdec-gnome

It can also be found on the ubuntu software center.

Thanos
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