Firejava

Firefox and Java on a Ubuntu container, for when you need to go back in time to use a Java Applet but don't want to mess with your default Firefox profile.

Usage

To launch a fresh new browser with no data persistence. Docker creates a temporary volume and mounts it in user's home directory. The home directory is automagically purged as soon as firefox quits.

docker run -it --rm -e DISPLAY=$DISPLAY -v /tmp/.X11-unix:/tmp/.X11-unix vchoi/firejava

If you want, you may add a named volume to get data persistence. Firefox profile, downloaded files and any applet data should be stored there.

docker run -it --rm -e DISPLAY=$DISPLAY -v /tmp/.X11-unix:/tmp/.X11-unix -v firejava_home:/home/user vchoi/firejava

I recommend that you install the launcher script firejava.sh to some directory in you $PATH. Mine is at /usr/local/bin/firejava. Then, press ALT+F2 and type firejava to start the java-enabled browser whenever you need to.

If you're into Dock icons, copy the file firejava.desktop into ~/.local/share/applications/, press SUPER, type firejava and drag the icon to the dock. I'm happier with the ALT+F2 shortcut, though.

Known problems

• Only works for uid 1000 (tipically, the first registered user on a Ubuntu installation).
• Tested only on Ubuntu 17.10 and 18.04
• Firefox ESR 52.9.0 is the last version to support Java