Linux @lemmy.ml fin @sh.itjust.works 4d ago

Linux Foundation bands together Chromium browser makers in a “neutral space”

arstechnica.com Linux Foundation bands together Chromium browser makers in a “neutral space”

Open source group aims to better organize and fund development of browser.

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/52165296

Technology @lemmy.world tkw8 @lemm.ee 5d ago

arstechnica.com /gadgets/2025/01/google-meta-microsoft-and-opera-agree-on-something-supporting-chromium/

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5d ago

Linux Foundation bands together Chromium browser makers in a “neutral space”

arstechnica.com /gadgets/2025/01/google-meta-microsoft-and-opera-agree-on-something-supporting-chromium/

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31 comments

This is surely a smokescreen for Google's monopolization of Internet standards.

And even if weren't, I cannot emphasize enough how much that list of companies should also NOT be in charge of setting open standards. Oligopoly, monopoly with the illusion of choice...
- Oh, surely.
  
  Wait. Non-profits looking to shepherd the upstream used by a dozen derivatives; that's BAD now?
Why not firefox?
- Whoa whoa. Let's pick up the build of Mozilla's ditched namesake and confirm a future there, and then maybe consider their next discard. Wait; who's got tbird? Can we rescue that first? Get their trash in 'tip' order, anyway.
  
  Thunderbird and Firefox are fine, very actively maintained and adding features.
  
  Thunderbird is back in active deleopmemt though, and not just as a maintenance project.
- Because Librewolf exists already?
  
  That's based on Firefox...
"Google could be forced to sell Chrome" was the news in late november so I guess this a reaction to that.
- I want Chrome to be sold, honestly.
  
  I still don't get why Linux Foundation helped Google out of that.
  
  This seems more a safeguard for if that happens, since Chromium project would be in jeopardy
  
  I still don’t get why Linux Foundation helped Google out of that.
  
  I could be wrong, but I think that (at least to some extent) the Linux Foundation exists to be the more corporate-friendly face of ~~Free Software~~ Open Source, as a reaction against/in opposition to the hard-line "end-user freedom" stance taken by GNU/the FSF. If that's accurate, it doesn't surprise me that it would take a soft position regarding Google's monopolistic practices. Especially since Google is a gold member of it.
we remain committed to being the responsible steward of the Chromium project

https://blog.chromium.org/2025/01/announcing-supporters-of-chromium-based.html?m=1

So this neutral space is still subservient to Google's whims.
Also: Google & Linux Foundation Launch "Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers" Fund
So the Linux Foundation is in Google's pocket. Good to know,
- That's a pretty unfair kneejerk without receipts.
  
  When it comes to a megacorp like Alphabet/Google, assuming foul play and bribery should always be the kneejerk.
Why not Gnome web?
- GNOME Web uses Webkit, that's Apples browser engine
  
  More accurately, It uses WebkitGTK, which is a fork of Webkit. Blink, the engine Chromium and Chromium based browsers use, is also a fork of Webkit.
- there’s a whole world of alternative, small, or minimalist non-Chromium non-Firefox browsers out there I would love to try out – but in today’s world, if it doesn’t support at least the full un-crippled version of uBlock Origin, it’s a complete non-starter
  
  (considering general trends, I’m just gonna have to sit down and setup PiHole aren’t I?)
  
  With Lynx, there's even no need for plugins!
  
  In all honesty, you should try it. Configure it adequately, and really trying it.
  
  If people could respect the web standards and all have a text based version (aka working on Lynx), the web would be a better place for everyone - especially the impaired ones (blinds for example).
  
  I would trash all the JavaScript in the world to have a functional text based web any day.
  
  I find the ad blocking in Gnome Web to be sufficient. The biggest thing that is holding it back in my opinion is a lack of features like extentions and FIDO support and moderate performance.

31 comments