just another reason to avoid it. mandatory telemetry, mandatory pulseaudio in linux, pocket, that weird failed video chat thing, and the DRM add-on that literally no one asked for.
And use what instead? Out of all the mainstream options, Firefox is the best when it comes to privacy and giving users the power.
Firefox Features Google as Default Search Provider in the U.S.
31–40 of 154 posts
Re: Firefox Features Google as Default Search Provider in the U.S.
#32Earlier quoted context omitted.
Your right on a privacy front from an absolute perspective. But, it's almost certain that Google paid for this change. A stronger Mozilla (financially speaking) is good for privacy and free software. Also, normal users expect Google. So, having it in the default provides a more familiar experience for them to possibly switch to Firefox.
You are not financially stronger if one day most of your income will come from a source which you are expected to strongly protect from.
It's not 'one day', the majority of Mozilla's funding has always come from 'search royalties'. Wikipedia says initial funding first came from AOL in 2003, then they had a deal with Google from 2004-2014. In 2014, it says they signed a deal with Yahoo. This is nothing new.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozilla_Foundation#Financing
Re: Firefox Features Google as Default Search Provider in the U.S.
#33just another reason to avoid it. mandatory telemetry, mandatory pulseaudio in linux, pocket, that weird failed video chat thing, and the DRM add-on that literally no one asked for.
You have options to decline sending any potentially personal data back, and then telemetry would include only basic, anonymised usage info to help them improve Firefox. Pocket is now part of Mozilla and you can still just remove the button from the toolbar and ignore it completely. I assume that video chat thing was only ever proof-of-concept, at least I don't see it anywhere anymore. As for EME, well, most people want their Netflix/Hulu fix. If Mozilla declined to support EME then they'll quickly become obsolete.
Re: Firefox Features Google as Default Search Provider in the U.S.
#34just another reason to avoid it. mandatory telemetry, mandatory pulseaudio in linux, pocket, that weird failed video chat thing, and the DRM add-on that literally no one asked for.
You have options to decline sending any potentially personal data back, and then telemetry would include only basic, anonymised usage info to help them improve Firefox. Pocket is now part of Mozilla and you can still just remove the button from the toolbar and ignore it completely. I assume that video chat thing was only ever proof-of-concept, at least I don't see it anywhere anymore. As for EME, well, most people wa…
> telemetry would include only basic, anonymised usage info to help them improve Firefox.
This is unacceptable. Why can't I turn it off completely?
Re: Firefox Features Google as Default Search Provider in the U.S.
#35Eh...if the Google search money keeps Mozilla going, why not? It's no worse than having Yahoo as the default search provider previously. I switch my default to DuckDuckGo anyway.
Re: Firefox Features Google as Default Search Provider in the U.S.
#36I really just wish they would go back to letting the search bar change on the fly and remain that way until you change it back. With the little icon letting you know which service it is currently set to. Does anyone know why that functionality was removed? If I'm searching for anything other than my default chances are I'm going to be searching at least 3 different things before getting it right, but then I can't jus…
Probably because search providers (e.g.. Google/DDG) will pay more for exclusive preference on the search bar.
I really don't think that's it. I think someone at mozilla thought it would be a "less cluttered" interface.
Re: Firefox Features Google as Default Search Provider in the U.S.
#37Looks like Google is gaining its foothold back
Did they ever lose it? Chrome has over 50% browser usage and FF less than 10%. I bet most of those Chrome users haven't changed their default search.
Re: Firefox Features Google as Default Search Provider in the U.S.
#38DuckDuckGo, Start Page, or Qwant might have been a little more in the spirit of Mozilla and privacy. Then again it takes about half a second to change the default search to your own preference. Google is probably the most approachable for the vast majority of users. It is a sensible move in that regard.
If you are allowed. My work machine is locked into bing. I can bookmark google.com or duckduckgo.com but default/quick searches go through bing. (Google.com redirects to google.ca which drives me crazy sometimes.) I'd bet the majority of bing traffic comes from such workplaces.
If you can, sign up for Bing rewards and earn points while you search. You can use those points in exchange for entering competitions or Microsoft/Windows devices and Xbox gift cards.
Re: Firefox Features Google as Default Search Provider in the U.S.
#39DuckDuckGo, Start Page, or Qwant might have been a little more in the spirit of Mozilla and privacy. Then again it takes about half a second to change the default search to your own preference. Google is probably the most approachable for the vast majority of users. It is a sensible move in that regard.
If you are allowed. My work machine is locked into bing. I can bookmark google.com or duckduckgo.com but default/quick searches go through bing. (Google.com redirects to google.ca which drives me crazy sometimes.) I'd bet the majority of bing traffic comes from such workplaces.
Ha, I don't know if I could handle that. Would be at the top of my list of reasons to look for another job.
Re: Firefox Features Google as Default Search Provider in the U.S.
#40Earlier quoted context omitted.
You have options to decline sending any potentially personal data back, and then telemetry would include only basic, anonymised usage info to help them improve Firefox. Pocket is now part of Mozilla and you can still just remove the button from the toolbar and ignore it completely. I assume that video chat thing was only ever proof-of-concept, at least I don't see it anywhere anymore. As for EME, well, most people wa…
> telemetry would include only basic, anonymised usage info to help them improve Firefox. This is unacceptable. Why can't I turn it off completely?
I believe Santosh83 means even if you leave it on, it will be anonymized performance data