Hi splatch, welcome to the forum
When an application behaves Like that, open a console and launch it from there. For example with the command:
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Source code
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1
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firefox
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This will launch your Firefox, in the console you'll probably have a few (or a lot) error messages. Post them on the forum and people will help you find the solution.
To learn more about the administration of Linux systems, here you'll find some links for the preparation to sites with exercises and tutorials (dedicated to the Linux Professinal Institute certification:
http://www.certification-crazy.net/lpi_study.htm
Also, the online version of Linux certification in a nutshell:
http://www.hackemate.com.ar/textos/O'Reilly%20books/O'Reilly-%20LPI%20Linux%20Certification%20in%20a%20Nutshell/_Table_of_Contents.htm
Though, don't fear asking questions in the forums, people will always help you start off with Linux