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Installing the Flash Plugin

by Tammy Fox
Last Modified: Monday, 14-May-2007 19:39:09 EDT

Introduction

Many websites embed Flash on their first page, and some even use Flash for the site navigation. These steps have been tested with Flash version 9.0.31.0 and Firefox 1.5.

Flash Player Installation

Download the RPM file from Macromedia or from the Shockwave Download Center.
Adobe only offers a 32-bit (i386) version. If you have a 64-bit system, follow these steps, and then go to Using the Flash Plugin with 64-bit Firefox for instructions on getting it to work with the 64-bit version of Firefox.
RPM installation requires root priviledges. If you are not already the root user, execute the command su - and enter the root password to continue. Next, change into the directory containing the RPM file you just downloaded, and execute the following command:
rpm -Uvh flash-plugin-9.0.31.0-release.i386.rpm
Restart Firefox for the browser to recognize the plugin.
Verify the plugin installation by typing about:plugins in the Location window of Netscape (where you type the URL). You should now see Shockwave Flash listed as a plugin. The plugin is installed in a universal location so all users have access to it. Installation by individual users is not required.
To test the Flash plugin, go to the Adobe Test Page. The Adobe Flash Player example should work. The Adobe Shockwave Player example will not work because that requires a different plugin, which Adobe does not make for Linux.

Where to Download

What's Related

Using the Flash Plugin with 64-bit Firefox