Time is virtually running out for Firefox 2.0. In this context, Mozilla is gearing up for the upcoming mid-December support cut-off date for version 2.0. With codename Shiretoko cooking for a late 2008, early 2009 release, starting on August 25, Mozilla has unleashed Firefox 3.0.1 as a major update for the open source browser, signaling the proverbial beginning of the end for Firefox 2.0. While still approximately months away from the moment when it will pull the plug on Firefox 2.0, Mozilla has kicked into high gear the migration to the latest iteration of the open source browser. The debut of this week was synonymous with the introduction of Firefox 3.0.1 as a major update to Firefox 2.0.0.16.

"Users with the latest version of Firefox 2 will be getting an offer to update to Firefox 3. If you're running Firefox 2.0.0.17 you will see the offer in the next couple of days, though if you're eager you can always "Check for Updates" in the "Help" menu," explained Mike Beltzner, Mozilla's User Experience Lead. In this regard, users of Firefox 2.0 prior to version 2.0.0.16 will be first offered an update to v2.0.0.16 before being served the upgrade to Firefox 3.0.1.

At this point in time all users of Firefox 2.0.0.16 checking for updates will be invited to download and install Firefox 3.0.1. The upgrade process will continue with the Firefox 2.0.0.17 and Firefox 3.0.2 versions planned for release shortly. The upgrade process has been automated and streamlined as much as possible, requiring only a new End User License Agreement due to features such as malware protection. Once the users have accepted the new EULA, the transition to Firefox 3.0 will be smooth and will require a single restart.

"Clicking the "Learn More" link will open a new tab with more information about Firefox 3 to help you make your decision about upgrading. From there, you have a choice: select Later if you don't want to decide now; Firefox will ask again in 24 hours; select Never if you don't want to accept this upgrade offer; we might send you another offer again in the future, but it won't be for several weeks or months; or select Get the new version to continue on with the upgrade process!" Beltzner added.

In addition, Mozilla warned of issues related to incompatible add-ons. Beltzner estimated that in excess of 90% of all Firefox add-ons have been tailored to version 3.0, but in some cases, rather than adapting their work, developers have created entirely new products. In the upgrade process, Firefox 3.0.1 will flag the incompatible items and permit end users to search for updated releases designed to play well with the latest version of Firefox.

"By all means, Check Now to see if there's a version of that Add-On which works with Firefox 3," Beltzner advised. "You'll want to Install Now which will fetch the update and then continue loading Firefox 3. If an update isn't available, Firefox will check every day and let you know once the Add-On author has created one."

Firefox 3.0.1, 2.0.0.16 and even Firefox 3.1 Alpha 1 are available for download here.