Opera comes with Flash pre-installed?

A Former User

Hi gustavwiz,

Wouldn't you prefer to have Version 21 and not have that error message in Opera?

We're trying to show anyone who is running a Debian, or Ubuntu-based distribution, how to fix this --and protect themselves from the risk of using Flash at the same time.

If you have a Debian, or an Ubuntu-based distribution, have you run:

sudo apt-get install pepperflashplugin-nonfree

?

The link below explains why you might want to do so, but only if you're running a Debian, or Ubuntu-based, distribution as jayaguru-shishya and I happen to be doing.

https://wiki.debian.org/PepperFlashPlayer

I think the command would differ a little if you're running a distribution from another branch of Linux, but I'm pretty certain the general principle would be the same.

perknh

A Former User

Horaa! I finally have my flash up-to-date in the Chromium!

Adobe Flash Player - Version: 21.0.0.216
Shockwave Flash 21.0 r0

I just realized that I didn't have Opera installed on my system at the time we were running all these commands (I was so concentrated on one browser at the time, and I thought it automatically apply for Opera as well).

I know have Opera browser together with the FlashBlocker that I installed from the Opera store. "opera://plguins" gives me only "Chrome PDF Viewer" (2 files):

Name: Chrome PDF Viewer
Version:
Location: chrome-extension://mhjfbmdgcfjbbpaeojofohoefgiehjai/
Type: BROWSER PLUGIN

Name: Chrome PDF Viewer
Description: Portable Document Format
Version:	
Location: internal-pdf-viewer
Type: PPAPI (out-of-process)

I am beginning to understand more and more how important it is in Linux to carry out all the procedures in a correct, consistent order.

Anyway, I've always heard many a good thing about the Linux community and how helpful it is. This is my first encounter, and I must say I am impressed! Thanks everyone for your help, especially @perknh !

Ps. now as my Opera browsers displays no flash of any kind, I wonder if it would be a complicated process to get it there as well? Also, is there still need for any further updates, autoremoves, or autocleans with respect to the previous procedures for Chromium?

Cheers! Tomorrow is Friday!

A Former User

Hi jayaguru-shishya,

"I just realized that I didn't have Opera installed on my system at the time we were running all these commands (I was so concentrated on one browser at the time, and I thought it automatically apply for Opera as well)." --jayaguru-shishya

You are right, jayaguru-shishya, it should automatically apply to Opera too. You are correct about this.

"now as my Opera browsers displays no flash of any kind, I wonder if it would be a complicated process to get it there as well? Also, is there still need for any further updates, autoremoves, or autocleans with respect to the previous procedures for Chromium?

Cheers! Tomorrow is Friday! 8-)" --jayaguru-shishya

That's what it's all about, jayaguru-shishya! We've been doing all of this work just to get to Opera! Begin by checking if Opera is installed your Ubuntu Software Center tomorrow. Maybe it's not installed correctly. We can install Opera-stable via the terminal. Until Opera has a verified secure download site like Chrome, Firefox, and Vivaldi do, I really do believe that using the terminal is the safest way to install Opera. If you don't see https in green, and a cute little green padlock beside it, don't download Opera from there --especially when we have a terminal we can use!

Until tomorrow!

perknh

gustavwiz

gustavwiz

@perknh

Wouldn't you prefer to have Version 21 and not have that error message in Opera?

Yes, I would.

So the conclusion is: adobe-flashplugin contains pepper-flash, but an older version (20) with an annoying version number bug (that shows 999.999... on opera://plugins), and pepperflashplugin-nonfree seems to be the best alternative. I suggested adobe-flashplugin because another opera developer suggested it (and another source).

But right now it looks like you're right, pepperflashplugin-nonfree is the way to go!

(The only drawback with that package is that you also have to run sudo update-pepperflashplunin-nonfree --install)

A Former User

Ahh, indeed indeed. I found my way to "UbuntuHandbook: Install Opera 26 Stable in Ubuntu 14.04" (http://ubuntuhandbook.org/index.php/2014/12/install-opera-26-stable-ubuntu-14-04/), and further to "http://deb.opera.com/opera/pool/non-free/o/opera-stable/" (http://deb.opera.com/opera/pool/non-free/o/opera-stable/) where I chose the "opera-stable_37.0.2178.32_amd64.deb" alternative.

I executed the .deb -package through the Ubuntu Software Center, and installed it. A green cute little green padlock...? Oh boy, all the contrary! The Ubuntu Software Center warned me from installing the program unless I am 100% it can be trusted hohoho!

Now, that's very odd. I swear I saw it in the Ubuntu Software Center after I ran the .deb -package (well, perhaps for the very reason that I ran the package through there), but after closing and reopening it, it can be no longer found

Lesson two internalized: always trust the terminal over the Ubuntu Software Center.

Well, thanks for your help again! Until tomorrow!

A Former User

@gustavwiz

"So the conclusion is: adobe-flashplugin contains pepper-flash..." --gustavwiz

No, it's the other way around. Pepperflash is Adobe Flash modified for Chromium-based browsers.

"The only drawback with that package is that you also have to run sudo update-pepperflashplunin-nonfree --install" --gustavwiz

This is why we're doing workarounds right now. There is no signature on the latest version of Google's Pepperflash plugin. We're all making the assumption that one day, probably after the next Chrome, or Chromium, browser release, we'll be able to use the update command you mentioned. (That's what it is --an update command.) This "drawback" should be only temporary. At least that's what we all hope, and assume --knock on wood!

@jayaguru-shishya,

"always trust the terminal over the Ubuntu Software Center." --jayaguru-shishya

No! Both Synaptic Package Manager and Ubuntu Software Center are very safe package managers. They have been gone over and over time and time again with a fine tooth comb. They are much safer download sites than downloading from the Web at large --and one significant reason why Linux is even more secure than Apple! Me personally? I just want to see that same green padlock for downloading Opera as I see when I download Chrome, or Vivaldi, or if I were to download Firefox from the Web to my computer. Until Opera uses the same security protocol as the browsers mentioned above, I'll keep using the command line for my installations of Opera. But, that's me. I would imagine that most users would feel the same way too if they thought about it for a while.

As for the terminal, jayaguru-shishya, the terminal is as good as the commands you enter it. If you enter good and safe commands, you'll get good and safe results. Period! The terminal is as good as the commands you enter it. Just be sure to enter good and safe commands.

Tomorrow I have some projects I need to attend to, but we'll try to get you up and running with Opera if possible --and, hopefully with Flash working too.

Here's a link to look at in the meantime. By the way, the commands are both good and safe. And Opera's staff checked them before they were posted:

https://forums.opera.com/topic/8091/a-way-i-found-to-install-opera-stable-from-the-terminal/9

jayaguru-shishya, this is Opera's forum and we all want to have Opera running correctly on your computer -- and with Flash up and running correctly on your computer too. That's what this forum, and thread, is all about!

Until tomorrow.

perknh

A Former User

So the conclusion is: adobe-flashplugin contains pepper-flash, but an older version (20)

No

Publishing details
Published on 2016-04-07
Changelog
adobe-flashplugin (1:20160407.1-0ubuntu1) xenial; urgency=medium

New upstream releases

NPAPI: 11.2.202.616

PPAPI: 21.0.0.213
-- Chris Coulson chris.coulson@canonical.com Thu, 07 Apr 2016 11:04:54 +0100

https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/adobe-flashplugin

gustavwiz

gustavwiz

@perknh

No, it's the other way around. Pepperflash is Adobe Flash modified for Chromium-based browsers.

Yes, this I already know. But the package adobe-flashplugin, contains pepper flash. Otherwise it wouldn't work in Opera (and the about page states PPAPI; Pepper Plugin API, that's why it's called pepper flash).

@adasiko: Strange, because in Opera, version 20 comes up. And I have an updated system.

A Former User

@gustavwiz

"But the package adobe-flashplugin, contains pepper flash." --gustavwiz

I didn't know that. Also, in reference to your comment to adasiko, I only discovered this year that when you update your system, Flash doe NOT update with it. Yeah, that's unbelievable, isn't it? I used Linux for several years before learning this. Honestly, I was flabbergasted when I learned that.

Read what Scott(0) asks PCNetSpec in Peppermint forum, and look how many times this thread has been read --2700 times!

https://forum.peppermintos.com/index.php/topic,1029.msg8826.html#msg8826

Honestly, gustavwiz, I can't stand Flash, but it is still a necessary software platform many of us need at times. That is why I suggest using a Flash blocker too in order to keep Flash safely out of the way when we don't want it to become active. And this idea of using a Flash blocker is another trick I learned from the fellows in Peppermint forum.

perknh

A Former User

I first tried out with adobe-flashplugin with my Firefox, but it was no go. As stated in the Adobe Flash website, it didn't get any more up-to-date than the 11.2. version. The same seemed to be the case with my Chromium earlier, but now as adobe-flashplugin has been purged from my system and pepperflash (alone) installed, the problem seems to be fixed though.

@perknh: sorry, my mistake! I totally confused the self-ran .deb package with those other applications approved to the Ubuntu Software Center! Therefore, I'd like to take back my inconsiderate comment!

Hmm, would it be a big of an operation to do the same installation of pepperflash to my Opera browse? Oh boy, I also hope that in a few years the whole flash will be dead and buried, but at the moment it is necessary for some of the applications I am running online. I currently have my Opera with the FlashBlocker, I hope that helps a bit.

Ps. Is there still need for any further updates, autoremoves, or autocleans with respect to the previous procedures for Chromium?

Thanks and happy Friday!

A Former User

I finally found the Opera broweser I installed earlier from the Ubuntu Software Center (it could be found by clicking the little down-arrow at the right-side of the "Installed" icon).

I've now removed it, and next I will start following the instructions given by perknh (https://forums.opera.com/topic/8091/a-way-i-found-to-install-opera-stable-from-the-terminal/9).

An interesting observation though. At the installation window of the Ubuntu Software Center, Opera browser lists the "Pepper Flash Player - browser plugin (pepperflashplugin-nonfree)" as an Optional add-on. I had that ticked when I installed my Opera, but still it didn't appear in the Extensions-section. Just a curiosity...

A Former User

@gustavwizm and @perknh: I just (successfully?) installed Opera browser by following the instructions provided by perknh (https://forums.opera.com/topic/8091/a-way-i-found-to-install-opera-stable-from-the-terminal/9). The flash is now displayed at the "opera://plugins", but I am facing the same problem as gustavwizm reported in his earlier posts: the version indeed shows as 99.999.999.999:

Adobe Flash Player
Version: 99.999.999.999
Shockwave Flash 99.999 r999
Location: /usr/lib/adobe-flashplugin/libpepflashplayer.so
Type: PPAPI (out-of-process)

Any ideas?

A Former User

Hi jayaguru-shishya,

Congratulations to you for installing Opera from the command line. That's great!

Once your Pepperflash plugin is installed, it is good for any Chromium-based browser --Opera included. There's no need to remove Pepperflash because you were already running the most up-to-date version of it. Are you sure, jayaguru-shishya, that Pepperflash is still installed? What does it say in Chromium when you run

chrome:plugins

?

This is what I get in Opera 37.0.2178.32 when I run: chrome:plugins

Adobe Flash Player
Version: 21.0.0.216
Shockwave Flash 21.0 r0

It also says "Opera is up to date"

Did you say "Yes" to letting Opera update along with your system, or Ubuntu? It helps if you do so.

Have you done a system update, upgrade, autoremove, autoclean, and a reboot?

Even though Flash does not update along with Ubuntu, it might not hurt to run those commands again. A lot have been changed here.

perknh

A Former User

@perknh: I am sorry to disappoint you, but as I removed the earlier Opera installation through the Ubuntu Software Center (the one that had the "Pepper Flash Player" as an Optional add-on), seemingly the Chromium has returned to the 11.2.999.999 version. I just rebooted my system to make it sure:

Adobe Flash Player - Version: 11.2.999.999
Shockwave Flash 11.2 r999
Name:	Shockwave Flash
Description:	Shockwave Flash 11.2 r999
Version:	11.2.999.999
Location:	/usr/lib/adobe-flashplugin/libpepflashplayer.so
Type:	PPAPI (out-of-process)

Honestly, this is a bit frustrating. Even more when I acknowledge that if I start running the different commands in amok through the terminal, I might end up having multiple flashes installed again - which I don't want of course.

Well, lesson learnt. I think the (crucial) mistake happened when I installed the Opera browser through a .deb -package that I ran it through the Ubuntu Software Center, and specifically when I removed the installation together with the "Pepper Flash Player" optional add-on that it listed. Oh boy, I am frustrated since I was removing only one installation of the Opera software, not any other plugins installed to my system (the pepperflash was installed long before Opera came in).

Anyway perknh, would you give it a one more go to help me? I know you can be disappointed and frustrated as well, but it would mean a great deal to me. Also, I am trying to follow all the instructions in a clear, consistent way, so it's not just that I'm being careless.

And to your question about the system update, upgrade, autoremove, autoclean, and reboot? With respect to the Opera installation instructions, I just followed every step that was told to execute through the terminal. I did boot the system, though. In regards to the earlier pepperflash installation on Chromium, I also just followed blindly the instructions, although asked a couple of times if any further autoremoves or autocleans would be needed.

I am frustrated, but I hope this helps! Not gonna give up!

A Former User

Hi ayaguru-shishya,

"And to your question about the system update, upgrade, autoremove, autoclean, and reboot? With respect to the Opera installation instructions, I just followed every step that was told to execute through the terminal. I did boot the system, though. In regards to the earlier pepperflash installation on Chromium, I also just followed blindly the instructions, although asked a couple of times if any further autoremoves or autocleans would be needed." --ayaguru-shishya

I know you've asked that question a couple of times over. We do update and upgrade and do housecleaning quite regularly in Linux. Not usually as often as we're doing now, but we have a few special circumstances here we don't usually encounter every day. And you do have to take a bit of a leap of faith in the beginning when you're working with somebody and you start entering commands in the terminal. You are entering them blindly in the beginning --it's true.

ayaguru-shishya, I'm 99.99% certain that the installations that you do have on your computer are just fine. Are you comfortable with running the command

sudo apt-get install pepperflashplugin-nonfree

again?

It might take a couple of minutes to install and update. Are you comfortable doing this? I felt the same way as you do now when I started with Peppermint a few years ago. I understand the feeling.

No matter what, you have accomplished a couple of big things here. You gotten rid of that Skunk Pepper-flash PPA, and you've successfully installed Opera from within the terminal. These are achievements --even if you stop here!

Remember many, many people do not like, or use, Flash any longer. It IS a potential security risk --and even a little more if it's not updated. But, we are running Linux. We're still a lot safer than those Windows folks. I still recommend installing Flash --because you want or because you need it-- and then installing NoFlash in Opera, and Flashcontrol in Chromium. Then Flash is blocked until you're at a site you trust and then you decide that you want to enable it --nobody else. In other words, you have it when you need it, but it's blocked when you don't.

Anyway if you want to keep going, let's install Pepperflash again and see how things go.

perknh

A Former User

Hi there, @perknh! Don't worry, I trust your willingness to help completely!

Okay, I ran the command line in the terminal and this is what I get:

xxxxxs:~$ sudo apt-get install pepperflashplugin-nonfree
[sudo] password for xxxxxs: 
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
pepperflashplugin-nonfree is already the newest version.
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
xxxxxs:~$

Hmm, how very odd... Chrome still reports the version to be 11.2.999.999, and Opera respectively 99.999.999.999.

A Former User

Now, my friend, you've got me stumped --really stumped! Have you rebooted by chance, or logged out and then back in --just in case we need to jump start something?

jayaguru-shishya, if you haven't logged out and then back in, or if you haven't rebooted the computer, please do that and check your Flash numbers one more time in case the solution is as simple as that. You've really got me scratching my head here because, quite frankly, this isn't making any sense.

I've got a lot of support behind me in other forums, but I need to ask my friends if they will be kind enough to take a look at this problem with us. If I can't get your up-to-date Pepperflash plugin to work within your Ubuntu 14.04 installation, there are many people I know who can. With your permission of course, I will see if my friends will discuss this issue in another forum with us --where there are some real Linux gurus and not only Linux geeks to help--but first please reboot your computer, or log out and then back in, and please check those Flash numbers again. Something is very odd here --especially since I'm running the same programs as you, and I've installed the same Pepperflash plugin as you. Why is my pepperflash installation working perfectly fine for me, but not for you? I haven't had you do one thing that I haven't done on my computer --not one thing! Why are your Flash numbers wrong, while mine are perfectly correct?

I've been thinking about this for a couple of hours,jayaguru-shishya, and I can tell you that this is now becoming a puzzle. With a little luck though, if my friends will agree to look at this problem with us, you're going to get to see how the real pros handle this one. And, that experience itself, is worth its weight in gold.

But, please, reboot your computer, and then check those numbers again for both Chromium and Opera.

jayaguru-shishya, now we're on a mission!

perknh

A Former User

@perknh, if there is something positive, I can date back the exact moment after which the problem occurred. Please see below the timeline of the past happenings:

If you remember my comment from May 5 (https://forums.opera.com/post/98548), I reported you that the pepperplugin with my CHROMIUM browser was finally working just fine.
That was just Chromium, and we agreed to move to the Opera browser next. After that, you doubted that my Opera wasn't installed correctly (https://forums.opera.com/post/98549). Indeed, I had installed my Opera browser by downloading a .deb -file through Internet, and then running it through the Ubuntu Software Center (explained here: https://forums.opera.com/post/98551).

----IMPORTANT----
3. In May 6, I reported that I had removed my Opera installation (https://forums.opera.com/post/98613). I removed the installation through the Ubuntu Software Center, and before executing the removal, the "Pepper Flash Player - browser plugin (pepperflashplugin-nonfree)" box was ticked. I doubt that this mistake removed / made non-functional all the previous work with the pepperflash installation. In other words, I THINK THIS REMOVAL KILLED THE ALREADY FUNCTIONING PEPPERFLASH!
----IMPORTANT----

This is just my Linux newbie instinct, but I hope it helps to track down the line of event that has been going on! Cheers! Thanks for your help everyone, especially @perknh ! Sure you can spread the word to other forums, no problems. I hope you are not giving up on this though, since we almost made it! Cheers!

A Former User

Hi jayaguru-shishya,

I can't see that anyone has made any mistakes here. Now, I know you said that you uninstalled Opera from the Software Center. That is fine. Now, just for clarification, did you uninstall Opera, or Opera-stable, or both, from the Software center before reinstalling Opera-stable again? Honestly, I don't think this makes a bit of difference, but maybe this is when this problem began.

I take it the numbers are the same after rebooting?

Am I right that this problem began after installing Opera from Opera's download site, then uninstalling Opera or Opera-stable, and then reinstalling Opera-stable via the terminal? That's when we started to get these screwy numbers for Adobe Flash? Am I right about this?

perknh

A Former User

Yeppp, exactly @perknh !

It was Opera-stable that I installed AND uninstalled (I downloaded it from here http://deb.opera.com/opera/pool/non-free/o/opera-stable/). At my Ubuntu Software Center, there was no other listing of Opera. I.e. IT WAS THE ONLY ONE.
When I uninstalled my Opera browser through the Ubuntu Software Center, it had this "Pepper Flash Player - browser plugin (pepperflashplugin-nonfree)" crossed from the "Optional add-on" -list. Then I executed the uninstallation. After this, I think, the problem emerged.
Yes, the version numbers are same after rebooting. I have already rebooted more than twice now.
Yes, you are right that the problem began after installing Opera from Opera's download site; then uninstalling Opera-stable (the only one listed at the Ubuntu Software Center; could have been found by clicking the little down-arrow at the right-side of the "Installed" icon, but not by a normal search, neither through Dash); and then reinstalling Opera-stable via the terminal. After that, these screwy version numbers began to appear for Adobe Flash.
So in short, you got it right! Just wanted to answer in utmost detail to make it easier to follow Thanks!