3 ms·

It's their obligation to make sure the line is not blurry. As a user I always want to know the following: - What does it do? - Is it needed for core functiona

It's their obligation to make sure the line is not blurry. As a user I always want to know the following: - What does it do? - Is it needed for core functionality or optional? - How do you switch it off/on? - Does it transmit any data, and if so, which one and how do I control the data flow? - Who are the developers and is the code open source or is it proprietary? - What are the default settings and why? If it's optional, then it's an extension. If it's on by default, I better get a very good reason for it (e.g. that it ostensibly enhances security). All of the above questions need to be answered before I install it, i.e., the information needs to be freely available and easy to find on web pages, release notes, Readme, etc. If something is added in an update or upgrade, I need to be informed and given a choice about it.

Vinnl 9y ago
So as a silly example, that means about:mozilla or Chrome's dinosaur game shouldn't have been shipped at all?
- kuschku 9y ago
  There's a reason Microsoft banned its developers from doing easter eggs. There's a fine line between "Easter Egg" and "within of 3 months we've installed without user approval CliqZ's tracking, added Google Analytics to the about:addons Discovery menu, and added some easter eggs". This is how you lose all trust.
- TeMPOraL 9y ago
  Easter eggs are somewhat of a software tradition. This particular one didn't get complains because of a combination of reasons like: - It is completely off-line (hell, it's only available on the "you're off-line" screen, where there isn't much else you can do with a browser). - It's off by default (you need to be on a proper screen). - It's a small and self-contained game. Doesn't impact anything else beyond a small area on the tab, which makes it just a step up from an animated GIF. - It's just a joke, it isn't tied to any commercial franchise or brand, nor does it promote any ideology or organization. - People expect less user-fairness from Google than from Mozilla. Ultimately, the line is fuzzy, but Chrome's dinosaur is clearly more like an Easter egg, and Mozilla's Looking Glass is clearly more like a very specific extension/feature.
  - Vinnl 9y ago
    > It's just a joke, it isn't tied to any commercial franchise or brand, nor does it promote any ideology or organization. This is an interesting point - I guess the blowback would also have been far less intense had it been a reference to e.g. Big Buck Bunny rather than Mr. Robot.
    - TeMPOraL 9y ago
      Yeah, I suspect this is the main underlying reason behind the drama - Looking Glass is, ultimately, an advertisement.
oldcynic 9y ago
It should be so, but Mozilla demonstrated they feel the line can be as blurry as they wish by integrating Pocket a year or two back. That should have remained an entirely optional addon.

Vinnl 9y ago

So as a silly example, that means about:mozilla or Chrome's dinosaur game shouldn't have been shipped at all?

kuschku 9y ago
There's a reason Microsoft banned its developers from doing easter eggs. There's a fine line between "Easter Egg" and "within of 3 months we've installed without user approval CliqZ's tracking, added Google Analytics to the about:addons Discovery menu, and added some easter eggs". This is how you lose all trust.
TeMPOraL 9y ago
Easter eggs are somewhat of a software tradition. This particular one didn't get complains because of a combination of reasons like: - It is completely off-line (hell, it's only available on the "you're off-line" screen, where there isn't much else you can do with a browser). - It's off by default (you need to be on a proper screen). - It's a small and self-contained game. Doesn't impact anything else beyond a small area on the tab, which makes it just a step up from an animated GIF. - It's just a joke, it isn't tied to any commercial franchise or brand, nor does it promote any ideology or organization. - People expect less user-fairness from Google than from Mozilla. Ultimately, the line is fuzzy, but Chrome's dinosaur is clearly more like an Easter egg, and Mozilla's Looking Glass is clearly more like a very specific extension/feature.
- Vinnl 9y ago
  > It's just a joke, it isn't tied to any commercial franchise or brand, nor does it promote any ideology or organization. This is an interesting point - I guess the blowback would also have been far less intense had it been a reference to e.g. Big Buck Bunny rather than Mr. Robot.
  - TeMPOraL 9y ago
    Yeah, I suspect this is the main underlying reason behind the drama - Looking Glass is, ultimately, an advertisement.

oldcynic 9y ago

It should be so, but Mozilla demonstrated they feel the line can be as blurry as they wish by integrating Pocket a year or two back. That should have remained an entirely optional addon.