Flash player on Ubuntu DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY!!

I recognize that this is an old thread, but after reading through the discussion, I feel the need to give my two-cent opinion.

I have recently switched from Windows to Linux, and am glad that I did.

It's a fact that the Adobe Flash player isn't Linux-friendly.  Any short Internet search will prove that to anyone.  I've been using Linux Lubuntu for about two months, and I still can't play flash videos in my browser.  All solutions, that appear in forums and online articles, are outdated and don't tend to work.

I understand the frustration that any Linux user faces on this issue.  However, I refuse to go back to Windows.

The problem with Windows, or any other piece of proprietary software that a person buys, is that they will always require you to buy their latest version, whether you want to, or not.  I understand that they need to keep making money in order to stay in business.  However, it's really frustrating to buy something, own it, get familiar and used to it, and then have someone come along and tell you that you have to pay to change it.  They make the changes, and if you don't like it -- tough.  If you want to take advantage of the latest hardware, in order to increase the performance of your programs, you have to re-buy their software -- even though you already own it.  Then, when you do get it, you have to re-learn everything all over again.  It's as if someone came into your home, rearranged your furniture (making everything unfamiliar), and you simply have to deal with it.  On top of that, you pay for the change that you don't want.

The Linux philosophy is one that I agree with completely.  You bought your computer.  You should be able to make it do what you want it to do.

I use one of my computers for mathematical computation.  I recently bought a new system so that I can take advantage of the new hardware advances, and speed up my calculations.  After getting everything set up, I went to install Windows XP (The version I had been using for years).  I couldn't do it.  The new motherboard wasn't designed to work with my old version of Windows.  If I wanted to stick with Windows, I'd have to upgrade to Windows 7, or 8.  I've used both of those versions, and I don't like either of them.  They're less familiar than what I've always been using.  Windows 7 isn't THAT different from XP, but Windows 8 is completely different.  I had already spent a lot of money on new hardware.  I didn't want to spend more money on an operating system that I don't like.  Besides, all of my existing software is only compatible with Windows XP -- not the newer versions.

Luckily, I had been toying with the idea of switching to Linux.  I was using Lubuntu on one of my other machines.  Installing Lubuntu, on the new hardware, was just as easy as installing it on my old machine. Not only that, it looks the same, and behaves the same.  I didn't have to re-learn anything.  The only difference is that my programs run A LOT faster because they're running on hardware that is more advanced -- hardware that I paid for -- hardware that I own.

I won't be going back to Windows.  As my hardware needs change, Linux will continue to change in order to keep up with the advances.  But I always have a choice of which distribution I want to install, and can even contribute if I don't like the way something works.  I'm not alone in this.  There are tons of programmers out there who keep making changes to their system so that it will work with the new hardware.  They then make those updates available to everyone.  So if I want to set my system up the same way, I'm able to do it.  It's beautiful, fair and practical.

One person, in this conversation, said that they're not a programmer.  In one sense, neither am I.  I write my own programs, with a programming language that I'm familiar with, in order to tackle problems that I'm interested in.  But I didn't write the Linux software.  On that front, I'm as much in the dark as anyone else who hasn't developed it.  But I appreciate the fact that Linux developers gave us distributions like Ubuntu/Lubuntu.  They're designed for people who aren't programmers -- People who had grown used to using Windows.  It's not always as easy to set it up, sure.  But I greatly appreciate their efforts.  I also love the fact that there are countless forums with many Linux users, including programmers, who are willing to help people learn solutions to their Linux problems.

Believe me, I hear your frustration.  It took a while for me to learn how to get my Lubuntu system set up the way that I want.  But I was able to get there, due to the generous help of other users in Linux forums.  I truly appreciate them.

It's too bad that I can't watch flash videos on my Linux machine with ease.  However, I'm wiling to make that sacrifice.  The flash player isn't an operating system.  I enjoy using it, but I can learn to live without it.  There are many websites that offer videos that don't require me to use a flash player.  Those are the websites I choose to visit.  If a website won't offer their content to me as a Linux user, then that's their choice.  But I have a choice too.  I can choose to visit a different website that will.  But I'm finished paying for operating systems that I already own that contain changes that I don't want.  I'm glad that Linux gives me a choice.

I have the same issue. My ubuntu installation is 13.10. Most flash videos including youtube have problems. They work but the graphic is spread, unable to even identify the objects in the video. I am still unsure whether it is caused because of flash player error or whether it has something to do with the drivers of my computer. New to Ubuntu and Iam still strugling to get going with it. 

You sound like a spoiled child. If you want Flash so bad, just keep up a secondary operating system in Windows. What the hell is Wrong with windows anyway?

speaking strictly on the OP's topic...

installing:

from my understanding we've always had an upgrade mechanism for Ubuntu.  canonical provides the deb package(s) that is used in installing the player.

player misbehaving:

it helps to enter bugs at https://bugbase.adobe.com.  there is a greater likelihood that a bug is addressed more quickly when it can be determined an injection.  the longer a bug lingers and not reported, its priority can be lowered because the issue existed over a longer period of time.  also, by entering bugs, the community can vote on the issue which can raise priority/awareness.

you stated you were on 64-bit.  at the time of your post, use of the nspluginwrapper was not stable.  the square beta would have been a good option for you.

we recently released Flash Player 11, Serrano, which does have 64-bit support.  if you haven't downloaded yet, please give it a try.

Adobe software for Linux platform:

as a linux user myself, i try to use all open source software available.  the community does a great job that there's little reason or need to buy software.

in the past, if needed, i used vmware or wine to use windows apps on my linux boxes.  this may be an option.

@John - thanks for bumping the thread.  i would have never seen this otherwise.  take care everyone.

Hi, My comment or info is for anyone that uses Linux, not the OP only. Since this thread was brought up, I thot I'd just list some info. Whether it is helpful the Users of Linux can decide.

http://forums.adobe.com/message/3477422#793232

http://forums.adobe.com/thread/791816?tstart=0

The following link is for Flash Player Square, which is a beta for support of the 64bit OS of Linux, Windows and Mac for use with the 64bit browser:

http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/flashplayer10/square/

This is the Troubleshooting Guide for Flash Player in Linux & Solaris:

http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/153/tn_15397.html

This is a Linux Forum that I found while trying to help someone using Linux:

http://www.linux.com/community/forums

eidnolb

If you stop using uppercase letters, and not using so many "!" and "?" and those red words maybe I can give a sollution.