Closing per comment #3, and because this appears to be fixed. On my machine where chromium is my preferred browser, the default alternative remains firefox:
$ LANG=C sudo update-alternatives --config gnome-www-browser There are 2 choices for the alternative gnome-www-browser (providing /usr/bin/gnome-www-browser). Selection Path Priority Status ------------------------------------------------------------ * 0 /usr/bin/firefox 40 auto mode 1 /usr/bin/chromium-browser 40 manual mode 2 /usr/bin/firefox 40 manual mode ** Changed in: chromium-browser (Ubuntu) Status: Confirmed => Fix Released -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Desktop Packages, which is subscribed to chromium-browser in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/629498 Title: chromium makes itself the default gnome-www-browser without permission Status in chromium-browser package in Ubuntu: Fix Released Bug description: Binary package hint: chromium-browser A new install of Chromium /effectively/ makes itself the default browser without permission from the user. Steps to reproduce: 1. Install chromium-browser using e.g. Synaptic Package Manager. 2. Start chromium, and answer "no" to the question "do you want to make chromium the default?" 3. Chromium has now become your default browser for many command line applications. You can prove this by typing the following at the command line: $ sudo update-alternatives --config gnome-www-browser There are 2 choices for the alternative gnome-www-browser (providing /usr/bin/gnome-www-browser). Selection Path Priority Status ------------------------------------------------------------ * 0 /usr/bin/chromium-browser 40 auto mode 1 /usr/bin/chromium-browser 40 manual mode 2 /usr/bin/firefox 40 manual mode $ sudo update-alternatives --config x-www-browser There are 2 choices for the alternative x-www-browser (providing /usr/bin/x-www-browser). Selection Path Priority Status ------------------------------------------------------------ * 0 /usr/bin/chromium-browser 40 auto mode 1 /usr/bin/chromium-browser 40 manual mode 2 /usr/bin/firefox 40 manual mode The expected behaviour is that the '*' remains with your previously indicated preferred browser and NOT chromium. Now any calls to e.g. urlview from a mail tool such as mutt, will open up a chromium browser, when the user expects to see their previously default browser. I'm guessing that this is a regression caused by the fix to Bug #571103 ? ProblemType: Bug DistroRelease: Ubuntu 10.04 Package: chromium-browser 5.0.375.127~r55887-0ubuntu0.10.04.1 ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.32-24.42-generic 2.6.32.15+drm33.5 Uname: Linux 2.6.32-24-generic x86_64 Architecture: amd64 Date: Fri Sep 3 14:03:58 2010 EcryptfsInUse: Yes InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 10.04 "Lucid Lynx" - Beta amd64 (20100318) ProcEnviron: PATH=(custom, user) LANG=en_GB.utf8 SHELL=/bin/bash SourcePackage: chromium-browser To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/chromium-browser/+bug/629498/+subscriptions -- Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~desktop-packages Post to : desktop-packages@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~desktop-packages More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp