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Browsers are essential and how operating systems are holding them back (2022) [pdf] (2022)

research.mozilla.org

21–30 of 349 posts

Re: Browsers are essential and how operating systems are holding them back (2022) [pdf] (2022)

#21

Just reading the beginning, it looks like they're mainly complaining about proprietary OS vendors restricting users' choice in browsers through various shenanigans. Linux users (for desktop systems) don't have this problem, and for mobile, Android users can easily install Firefox (or better yet, Firefox Nightly) through the Google Play store and set it to be the default browser. Basically, if you want to have choice…

For browsers specifically, one can select their own browser on iOS and MacOS as well.

It's always Safari under the hood, but that may change soon thanks to EU regulations (https://www.macrumors.com/2022/12/14/apple-considering-non-w...)

Re: Browsers are essential and how operating systems are holding them back (2022) [pdf] (2022)

#22

I do a lot of systems engineering-level work on Linux and was surprised to see this title. The paper talks about how corporations behind commercial operating systems exploit their position and suppress user choice and use other shady tactics. The title of this paper is a bit inaccurate it should at least say "... commercial operating systems".

* proprietary

Re: Browsers are essential and how operating systems are holding them back (2022) [pdf] (2022)

#23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Their annual financials tell all: https://assets.mozilla.net/annualreport/2021/mozilla-fdn-202...

that really is not anywhere near drowning in money.

They have $1.1 billion dollars in net assets. How is that NOT drowning in money?!

Re: Browsers are essential and how operating systems are holding them back (2022) [pdf] (2022)

#24

Just reading the beginning, it looks like they're mainly complaining about proprietary OS vendors restricting users' choice in browsers through various shenanigans. Linux users (for desktop systems) don't have this problem, and for mobile, Android users can easily install Firefox (or better yet, Firefox Nightly) through the Google Play store and set it to be the default browser. Basically, if you want to have choice…

It’s only iOS/iPadOS that Apple does this with. And iOS makes up 18% of web traffic. That’s a lot, but it means 82% can use the browser they want at any time. Chrome makes up 80-odd percent of all other traffic, so the stats overall look like:

Chrome: 65.6%

iOS Safari: 18%

All others: 16.4%

Personally, I’m more concerned about Chrome than iOS.

Re: Browsers are essential and how operating systems are holding them back (2022) [pdf] (2022)

#25
I'll give Mozilla market share again when they give me decent software again.

Until then, they can RIP in pieces as they continue to bitch while not doing anything useful.

Also worth noting that Chrome flies right in the face of this essay anyway. The only OS Chrome can't nom is iOS by sheer virtue of Apple mandates that Microsoft once got burned for.

Re: Browsers are essential and how operating systems are holding them back (2022) [pdf] (2022)

#26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For browsers specifically, one can select their own browser on iOS and MacOS as well.

It's always Safari under the hood, but that may change soon thanks to EU regulations ( https://www.macrumors.com/2022/12/14/apple-considering-non-w... )

because of, not thanks to. Once again the EU meddle with things they should not. And once again I’m pissed off by their regulations (though this time at least it makes a bit more sense than the previous time…)

Re: Browsers are essential and how operating systems are holding them back (2022) [pdf] (2022)

#28

Just reading the beginning, it looks like they're mainly complaining about proprietary OS vendors restricting users' choice in browsers through various shenanigans. Linux users (for desktop systems) don't have this problem, and for mobile, Android users can easily install Firefox (or better yet, Firefox Nightly) through the Google Play store and set it to be the default browser. Basically, if you want to have choice…

It’s only iOS/iPadOS that Apple does this with. And iOS makes up 18% of web traffic. That’s a lot, but it means 82% can use the browser they want at any time. Chrome makes up 80-odd percent of all other traffic, so the stats overall look like: Chrome: 65.6% iOS Safari: 18% All others: 16.4% Personally, I’m more concerned about Chrome than iOS.

[dead]

Re: Browsers are essential and how operating systems are holding them back (2022) [pdf] (2022)

#29

Just reading the beginning, it looks like they're mainly complaining about proprietary OS vendors restricting users' choice in browsers through various shenanigans. Linux users (for desktop systems) don't have this problem, and for mobile, Android users can easily install Firefox (or better yet, Firefox Nightly) through the Google Play store and set it to be the default browser. Basically, if you want to have choice…

I've been overhearing lots of complaints coming out of the Ubuntu corner about how everything is moving to snap exclusive distribution. Not too familiar with the whole snap ordeal myself, but I understand it is quite the shitshow and that can't be good for the Linux browser landscape.

Re: Browsers are essential and how operating systems are holding them back (2022) [pdf] (2022)

#30
post #29

Just reading the beginning, it looks like they're mainly complaining about proprietary OS vendors restricting users' choice in browsers through various shenanigans. Linux users (for desktop systems) don't have this problem, and for mobile, Android users can easily install Firefox (or better yet, Firefox Nightly) through the Google Play store and set it to be the default browser. Basically, if you want to have choice…

I've been overhearing lots of complaints coming out of the Ubuntu corner about how everything is moving to snap exclusive distribution. Not too familiar with the whole snap ordeal myself, but I understand it is quite the shitshow and that can't be good for the Linux browser landscape.

Ubuntu is dead.
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