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Using Firefox for a faster, calmer and distraction-free internet

marko.fyi

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Re: Using Firefox for a faster, calmer and distraction-free internet

#341

Post by icelancer »

Rotareti wrote: post #330
icelancer wrote: post #318

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I keep trying Firefox but Google services are absolutely terrible on it, and I spend a lot of time in Gmail/Drive/Docs/Hangouts so having two sets of browsers like another commenter here said is a non-starter for me (I've tried it).

I think you have two options then: A) (if possible) migrate away from the services you mentioned. B) lock-in deeper and deeper with the biggest advertising company on the planet.

B) is my choice and I have made peace with it. Generally speaking, the HN crowd vastly overstates how important any one person's data is and/or vastly overestimates the ability to get out of this future anyway.

Re: Using Firefox for a faster, calmer and distraction-free internet

#342

Post by swilliamsio »

For mobile, I switched to Firefox which was a fantastic decision. Firefox on mobile is as fast as Chrome whilst allowing the much needed adblock and darkmode plugins.

I'm hesitant to do the switch on desktop right now because, last time I checked, Firefox was slower than Chrome. However, the day I see ads on Chrome will be the day I am forced to make that switch. I do not need my browser experienced tainted by the slowing and frustrating appearance of ads nor do I want my mind subject to the so often poisonous online marketing.

Re: Using Firefox for a faster, calmer and distraction-free internet

#344

Post by jakecopp »

briffle wrote: post #128
dguo wrote: post #82

The post briefly mentions multi-account containers[1]. I have loved using them and regard them as a killer feature for Firefox. Very few websites support account switching. Google is probably the best example, and even then, I don't really want to log in to both my personal and work Gmail within the same session. But containers effectively and cleanly enable multiple sessions for all websites. Like tabs so many years…

I love containers, and use them heavily, but am disappointed they don't sync to all your computers like bookmarks and extensions. Every new machine, I get to start over on the 'always open this site in work container'

Do containers transfer if you sync the Firefox profile with rsync or something? I haven't tried yet but if I get a second machine I'd like to be able to do this.

Re: Using Firefox for a faster, calmer and distraction-free internet

#345

Post by awful_waffle »

swilliamsio wrote: post #342

For mobile, I switched to Firefox which was a fantastic decision. Firefox on mobile is as fast as Chrome whilst allowing the much needed adblock and darkmode plugins. I'm hesitant to do the switch on desktop right now because, last time I checked, Firefox was slower than Chrome. However, the day I see ads on Chrome will be the day I am forced to make that switch. I do not need my browser experienced tainted by the sl…

While I worked there, I heard about user studies Mozilla performed comparing Chrome and FF. It turned out that with all branding stripped, users found FF to be faster - but as soon as it became 'Chrome' vs 'Firefox', users always chose Chrome. I recall they actually faked browser UI's (i.e. made FF look like Chrome and vice versa) to test if it was about branding - and it was.

The reason I bring this up is I assume a lot of folk are in that bucket. Chrome was on top for a long time, and I think people are hesitant to switch to FF, despite the effort Mozilla has put into revamping/rewriting their browser.

(Also, I find it interesting that you only have a quarrel with Google tracking you (via Chrome) if you _see_ the ads. They're still collecting data whether or not you see the end result.)

Re: Using Firefox for a faster, calmer and distraction-free internet

#346

Post by pidg »

beatgammit wrote: post #208
pidg wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I gave desktop Firefox multiple chances over the course of 15 years, until that day in May when every extension stopped working.[1] That said, the mobile version seems really robust. [1] https://techcrunch.com/2019/05/03/a-glitch-is-breaking-all-f...

What do you use instead? IMO, even with the switch to Web Extensions, Firefox still has a better selection of extensions.

Chrome.

Re: Using Firefox for a faster, calmer and distraction-free internet

#347

Post by whamlastxmas »

x3haloed wrote: post #85

I tried for a while. The experience was just too sloppy for me. I got fed up and switched to Chromium Edge. I hate the Pocket integration and other crap they try to shove down your throat. And at work, the lack of integrated Windows authentication was a deal breaker. Plus, Chromium's UI is a lot tamer, cleaner, and focused.

I disabled pocket a single time and haven't had to see it since

Re: Using Firefox for a faster, calmer and distraction-free internet

#348

Post by dao- »

drankula3 wrote: post #58
dao- wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> spam I don't think this fits the definition of spam. Many average Joe users happen to find those curated suggestions useful. Yes, user testing has been done. > Defaults matter. Yep. More advanced users also tend to be better positioned to opt out compared to average Joe opting in.

Spam: unsolicited usually commercial messages (such as e-mails, text messages, or Internet postings) sent to a large number of recipients or posted in a large number of places[1]. By that definition, it is spam. > user testing has been done User testing isn't flawless, and is what got us the ribbon in Microsoft Office for example, an incredibly unintuitive interface. [1] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spa…

So... I'm not sure what exactly we're talking about. Since the comment said "spam and self-promotion", I'm assuming spam doesn't mean the self-promotion but the recommended media articles. They're not commercial messages. Arguably the self-promotion could be called spam but it also occupies much less space on the page.

Re: Using Firefox for a faster, calmer and distraction-free internet

#349

Post by yoasif_ »

edcastro wrote: post #170
dguo wrote: post #82

The post briefly mentions multi-account containers[1]. I have loved using them and regard them as a killer feature for Firefox. Very few websites support account switching. Google is probably the best example, and even then, I don't really want to log in to both my personal and work Gmail within the same session. But containers effectively and cleanly enable multiple sessions for all websites. Like tabs so many years…

I just wish they had per-container proxy support. That would make me immediately switch to Firefox.

I haven't tried this, but you can try: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/sidebery/

It claims to allow you to set proxy settings per container.

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