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

research.mozilla.org

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

#11

Post by noobly »

midoridensha wrote: post #2

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…

Completely unrelated, but part of me wants to say it’s too bad that I won’t read the article due your comment (I really won’t now), because it’s an interesting headline, but at the same time these comments tell me whether it’s worth reading or not. The upside is skipping the bad or bloated articles, the downside is skipping articles that were actually good, but the top comment gave a bad review. It’s especially painful when the top comment missed the mark completely. The price you pay I guess.

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

#12

Post by trollied »

noobly wrote: post #8
rini17 wrote: post #3

Dear Mozilla, you're practically drowning in money, so do something with it. Like, have Firefox on Android support creating home screen borderless widgets with any webpage. Oh, but Google isn't going to like it. Don't bite the hand that feeds you, I get it.

Would you mind supplying a source supporting that they’re drowning in money? Developing a browser on the functionality of chrome (especially in terms of security) is crazy imo, especially with a different engine. Sincere question btw, as far as I know they’re “non-profit” but they get a good bit of hate. I love the browser due to the customization/flags it offers while being up to date in terms of security. I haven’t…

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

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

#13

Post by omeid2 »

karussell wrote: post #9
bitcharmer wrote: post #6

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".

And how would you define "commercial operating system"? Is Android one or is it "Linux"?

No; and No.

Anything that is not licensed as "Free Software" or "Open-Source software" is "Commercial Operating System".

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

#14

Post by programmer_dude »

karussell wrote: post #9
bitcharmer wrote: post #6

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".

And how would you define "commercial operating system"? Is Android one or is it "Linux"?

Replace commercial with non open source.

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

#15

Post by ccozan »

karussell wrote: post #9
bitcharmer wrote: post #6

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".

And how would you define "commercial operating system"? Is Android one or is it "Linux"?

A finer distinction would be "closed-source operating system".

There is nothing wrong selling a Linux-based OS/distribution.

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

#16

Post by rudolph9 »

deafpolygon wrote: post #4
midoridensha wrote: post #2

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 was with up up until your statement: > Basically, if you want to have choice in a browser, don't use Apple products or a Microsoft OS . I get the "Apple products" bit - Apple famously refuses to allow you to install your own browser engine under the hood on iOS . But Microsoft? Can you qualify that with some concrete examples?

The article talks specifically about the hoops Microsoft makes you jump through to install an alternative browser.

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

#17

Post by boomboomsubban »

noobly wrote: post #8
rini17 wrote: post #3

Dear Mozilla, you're practically drowning in money, so do something with it. Like, have Firefox on Android support creating home screen borderless widgets with any webpage. Oh, but Google isn't going to like it. Don't bite the hand that feeds you, I get it.

Would you mind supplying a source supporting that they’re drowning in money? Developing a browser on the functionality of chrome (especially in terms of security) is crazy imo, especially with a different engine. Sincere question btw, as far as I know they’re “non-profit” but they get a good bit of hate. I love the browser due to the customization/flags it offers while being up to date in terms of security. I haven’t…

>Sincere question btw, as far as I know they’re “non-profit” but they get a good bit of hate

They sort of aren't a nonprofit anymore. Too much of their money came from the search deal as opposed to donations so they had to spin off the Mozilla Corporation which is completely owned by the nonprofit Mozilla Foundation. The foundation is what does research like this, and they're funded by donations and a certain percent of the corporations profits.

As for "drowning in money," they make ~$500 million a year. Many people think they waste it by doing things like paying their CEO a few million or being located in San Francisco.

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

#18

Post by bryanrasmussen »

trollied wrote: post #12
noobly wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Would you mind supplying a source supporting that they’re drowning in money? Developing a browser on the functionality of chrome (especially in terms of security) is crazy imo, especially with a different engine. Sincere question btw, as far as I know they’re “non-profit” but they get a good bit of hate. I love the browser due to the customization/flags it offers while being up to date in terms of security. I haven’t…

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

that really is not anywhere near drowning in money.

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

#19

Post by wirrbel »

bitcharmer wrote: post #6

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".

Operating system vendors would refer to the actual subject
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