Installs side-by-side with your existing version of Firefox and does not interfere with it
No root permission required
The installer is script-based, for easier auditing
The installer downloads the browser directly from Mozilla, so you know it is genuine and non-modified
Firefox now has a built-in updater, so you will receive new updates automatically
Shortcuts will be placed on the Desktop and Home
The installer was tested on Ubuntu and Fedora and should work with most modern Linux distributions (64 bits)
You must close your existing version of Firefox to be able to run Firefox Quantum
If you get the message “One or more installed add-ons cannot be verified and have been disabled” it just means an old add-on is not compatible with the new Firefox (This happens at least in Ubuntu)
The browser will be installed into the folder: ~/.apps/firefox
If you want to run the installer in an automated way, you can just launch the installer with the following parameter:
Cross-distro – Most apps are compatible with most modern 64-bit Linux distros
100% unmodified – All Applications are packaged without any modifications, they are not even re-compiled
Native Look and feel – Apps adapt to the environment, using the native themes
Portable VLC on Ubuntu
Portable VLC on Fedora
Portable Mode – Apps behave exactly like “normal Apps” when running from the internal HDD, but automatically become “Portable Apps” when running from a USB drive, which means all settings and data used by the App will be stored on the USB drive
When running from a USB Drive, ORB Applications save settings and data to the “portable_home” folder
Next-generation mode – Just install ORB Launcher to easily run any ORB just by clicking on it, enable icons, improve Apps startup speed and increase security (checking of cryptographic signatures)
ORBs with icons, after installing ORB Launcher
Ready to go – Nothing to install – All dependencies are included and Apps run without installing them and don’t require any special software on the target computer (although we strongly recommend installing ORB Launcher to get an improved experience)
No conflict with installed Apps – ORB Apps are contained in a “virtual bubble”, so their dependencies never conflict with installed Apps
Compression – Apps are compressed at all times, which means more apps can be stored even in small USB drives
No root required – Apps don’t require root permissions
Integrity checking – Unreliable internet? Incomplete downloads? – Don’t worry, ORB Apps feature built-in integrity checking, which automatically alerts the user if an App has been damaged
Cryptographically signed – All Apps include a cryptographic digital signature built-in
Online + Offline – No internet? No problem! Apps are designed to work both online and offline
Sharing has never been easier – Every App is just one file, which can simply be copied to a USB Drive, burned to a CD or DVD, shared via “cloud drives” like Google Drive or Dropbox, etc…
Monthly releases – Every month new apps are introduced. In addition, all existing apps will be updated with new fixes and security updates.
Future-proof – Because all dependencies are included, Apps are much more resilient against distros changes or upgrades
Open and Documented format – Want to have a peek inside the ORB? Just mount the ORB/ISO and take a look
The future
The goal is to release many more Apps in the future, however we are currently running out of space on our current hosting account…
If you have hosting space you can offer us, or wish to sponsor us, feel free to contact us
We are happy to announce Portable Applications, in the ORB format, for Ubuntu 16.04.
Gallery
Portable Firefox, with custom theme, extensions, etc… (on a Desktop computer)
The same Portable Firefox, on a different computer (laptop)
Features
Portable Mode – Apps automatically enter “Portable Mode” when running from a USB drive, which means all settings and data used by the App will be stored on the USB drive.
Compression – Apps are compressed at all times, which means many apps can be stored even in small USB drives
Just run – Nothing to install – Apps run without installing them and don’t require any special software on the target computer (although we strongly recommend installing ORB Launcher to get an improved experience)
No root? No problem? – No root required – Apps don’t need to be installed and they don’t require root permissions
Integrity checking – Unreliable internet? Incomplete downloads? – Don’t worry, ORB Apps feature built-in integrity checking, which automatically alerts the user if an App has been damaged.
Online + Offline – No internet? No problem! No dependencies to download or install
Open format – Want to have a peek inside the ORB? Just mount the ORB/ISO and take a look.
Download the Apps
Note: Don’t forget to download ORB Launcher for an easier and smoother experience
Compatibility: Compatible with Ubuntu 16.04 (64 bits), might work on other distros, but that is not guaranteed.
[NEW] Ability to retrieve and check cryptographic signatures
[NEW] Damaged files are now automatically detected and given a special icons and prevented from running
[NEW] Trusted/Signed files are automatically marked as executable
[IMPROVED] ORB configuration folder is now ~/.config/orb
[IMPROVED] Automatically refreshes some open folders (Desktop + Downloads), so any ORB files in those locations are now ready-to-run immediately after the installation of ORB Launcher
[IMPROVED] Even if interrupted, the program still automatically cleans temporary files
[IMPROVED] Improved support for Portable Apps (some icons used by the apps themselves con now be properly found and used)
[FIX] Configuration file is no longer replaced after every update
A new version of ORB Launcher (0.1.34) is now available with many improvements.
New ORB icon
Custom Icons
The custom icon from each .orb is now displayed on the bottom-right corner of the main icon.
Offline support
The .deb file can now be installed offline, no extra dependencies required
Improved support for ORB Apps that require root access
By default, the root user now has access to the mounted ORB.
Other changes
A copy of binfmt-support is now included in the .deb
It is now possible to call the Launcher from the command line with a new command: orb-launcher (in addition to the already-existing command: orb)
If the ORB Launcher is launched without any arguments, a GUI message will appear, giving the user some feedback
The ORB Launcher now supports the metadata “ORB_REQUIRES_ROOT” (this is subject to change). So now, if required, the ORB Launcher will try to run the .orb file as root.
Note: Nothing automatically runs as root: Everything must ALWAYS be approved by the user
In addition, the repository itself was updated and the message “The repository is insufficiently signed by key (weak digest)” no longer appears when running “sudo apt-get update”
* Use an email-client on your Ubuntu home PC and easily carry that same app+data to your Fedora work PC (even without root permission)?
*Configure Firefox the way you want to, with bookmarks, themes, extensions and extras, and use it at any Linux PC?
*Easily download and use Linux software, without complicated installation steps?
*Easily share Linux software with friends or customers or anyone on the internet?
Now you can!
With ORB , the “Open Runnable Bundle“, a new file format for Linux applications!
Open Runnable Bundle
We have designed a new type of file (with the .orb extension), designed for simplicity, transparency, security and speed, that serves as a container for Apps.
ORB files are really easy to run: you just need to install the ORB Launcher once
and then you just double-click any ORB file. Easy like opening any photo or mp3. Technical details
