Hypothetically speaking, can we estimate how long Firefox can survive once Google pulls the funding? A year? Two?
Tell Mozilla: it's time to ditch Google
421–430 of 469 posts
Re: Tell Mozilla: it's time to ditch Google
#422[deleted]
Re: Tell Mozilla: it's time to ditch Google
#423Earlier quoted context omitted.
Let me repeat myself: > All I ever wanted from Mozilla was a browser Firefox is the best alternative to a Chromium/Google dominated web. As long as Firefox isn't kicking ass and being used by, say, 20% of web users, I argue that Mozilla shouldn't be doing anything else. This is especially prudent when a large part of Mozilla's (and therefore, Firefox's) funding is in jeopardy. So, yes, I have a problem with Mozilla d…
> As long as Firefox isn't kicking ass and being used by, say, 20% of web users, I argue that Mozilla shouldn't be doing anything else (...) I have a problem with Mozilla doing events right now Consider it marketing, and think about if the market share would have been even lower if they didn't do outreach. Most people don't select a browser based on technical merits (heck, they don't even consciously choose). Saying…
What would make for a better impact? A marketing event to increase outreach or not announcing a change in the terms of use that allows Firefox to sell user data?
Re: Tell Mozilla: it's time to ditch Google
#424We need to be honest about what value Firefox really has left. Commercially, it's completely irrelevant. On big websites it doesn't even show up in the top 10 browsers and it's almost entirely absent on mobile. Site owners can readily ignore Firefox. Firefox is no longer a developer default. I'm sure some of us in our bubble have strong personal preferences but the entire dev ecosystem is chrome-based. Very advanced…
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Re: Tell Mozilla: it's time to ditch Google
#425I don't understand what is the point of a petition when almost all revenue for Mozilla comes from Google being scared of a anti-trust trial
Yeah, that's the joke, Firefox is Google's "antitrust insurance."
Re: Tell Mozilla: it's time to ditch Google
#426> Now is the time for Mozilla to take bold steps to reinforce its identity as a privacy-centric nonprofit Mozilla gave up that identity when it became an ad-tech company whose business model was to sell reports about the internet browsing habits of firefox users to advertisers. The problem was never Mozilla's dependence Google. The problem is their dependence on the surveillance of internet users. As far as I know Mo…
> Mozilla gave up that identity when it became an ad-tech company whose business model... I hope you realize that happened in 2006. Recent developments can only improve the situation, actually, if it makes Mozilla more independent.
Just a few days ago, they updated their android application info and stated they're going to share location data with third parties for "Advertising or Marketing" purposes...[1]
They also removed a promise to "never sell your data" in their FAQ[2] 2 weeks ago.
[1] - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43326230
[2] - https://github.com/mozilla/bedrock/commit/d459addab846d8144b...
Re: Tell Mozilla: it's time to ditch Google
#427Earlier quoted context omitted.
Exactly. Manifest v2 is the bullet case for why Chromium isn't sufficient. Also, we best not forget their efforts with web integrity
Brave is based on Chromium and it still supports manifest v2. Brave offers everything Firefox does and more --- like privacy by default (which Firefox could but won't do for obvious reasons) --- all without millions in direct Google payola. https://brave.com/blog/brave-shields-manifest-v3/
Brave is run by a VC-funded company and will need to show returns eventually. To date, they've tried to make money in a few disappointing ways:
- Replacing ads on pages without owner's intervention, under the guise that they were offering owners a cryptocurrency
- Inserting their own referral codes on websites
- Installing their VPN software on Windows machines without consent
They also introduced a Tor mode into their browser that sent DNS requests unmasked to your ISP. I don't know why you would trust Brave at this point.
Re: Tell Mozilla: it's time to ditch Google
#428Earlier quoted context omitted.
How do you suggest spreading an open web? Just release Firefox and the web will open up?
You think it is done by holding feminist AI conferences in Africa?
Yes, that's part of it. Guys in SV don't need help with access; women in Africa do - that's the place to hold conferences, and probably much more cost effective. (Whatever is mean by 'Africa', a very large area, and I know nothing about the conference.)
Re: Tell Mozilla: it's time to ditch Google
#429Earlier quoted context omitted.
Time to wake up and smell the coffee. With less than 3% marketshare, Mozilla doesn't exist now for most people --- mainly just for Google.
Regardless of whether people know it exists, the world where it exists is much better than a world where it doesn't and there is only one option.
So open source doesn't work?
Alternative browsers are available based on Firefox source code. The same is true with Chromium.
Re: Tell Mozilla: it's time to ditch Google
#430Earlier quoted context omitted.
I don't want my browser to be dependent on Marc Andreessen. And he doesn't want to do things useful to humanity anyway.
Right. The money would be a gift to a foundation where he couldn’t control it. A no strings attached 100% tax deductible gift to the foundation with the only strings that they focus on the browser and survive on the interest, and lay off unnecessary management (10-20 dedicated web engineers and a PM and an HR person what else do you need). But do you also want the browser beholden to the parent company of its direct…
He couldn't control the foundation, but he could say "integrate a crypto wallet or I'm not donating any more".