4 ms·

The deal was renewed today[1], which makes the layoffs that much more baffling. [1] https://www.forbes.com/sites/barrycollins/2020/08/13/mozilla-extends-critic

The deal was renewed today[1], which makes the layoffs that much more baffling. [1] https://www.forbes.com/sites/barrycollins/2020/08/13/mozilla-extends-critical-firefox-search-deal-with-google/#ddfa8dd6ea2d https://www.forbes.com/sites/barrycollins/2020/08/13/mozilla...

mvn9 6y ago
Then it was a negotiation tactic. Mozilla showed that they don't desperately need the money because they are willing to cut all expenses. Thus, Google can't play the 'take whatever we offer or you will be bankrupt in 2021'-card. Firing the developers should have led to a better deal and they can now silently rehire them back.
- the_duke 6y ago
  Google doesn't need the search engine placement in Firefox. The market share is tiny. (sadly) I can imagine that Google is somewhat interested in keeping Firefox alive as an independent browser though, just to ward off monopoly issues. Yes, there are plenty of Chromium reskins, but Firefox is the only other remaining full, cross-platform browser engine.
  - deleted 6y ago
    [deleted]
- blub 6y ago
  The old negotiation tactic of I'll chop my arm off to show you that I don't need your money.
  - hu3 6y ago
    tis but a scratch
    - drno123 6y ago
      flesh wound
- jasonzemos 6y ago
  I assume it followed an attempt by Google to influence how these funds are directed at Mozilla. Is Servo a threat to Google? Perhaps reinventing everything in Rust is just a detestable waste of resources?
- BuckRogers 6y ago
  That would work a whole one time. Not next time though. I don't believe that's what they were doing. I think they were using the funding excuse as a way to cut staff without looking like bad guys. Reality is they were already deep in talks with Google on resigning and did the job cuts before finalizing. They're probably doomed if the exact correct choices aren't made, I'm in that unpopular crowd that believes they should find a way to graft Firefox's presentation and features on top of Chromium to save on Gecko maintenance costs, and then continue to monetize with side products like their VPN and Rust (consulting). They should sell Pocket. Marketshare gains will take time, that's a long hard road but it'll be based on features and privacy. If Microsoft couldn't hold off Chromium with EdgeHTML, then a smaller player won't be able to. There's still Webkit if de facto standards are a worry. Mozilla isn't the well-positioned, deep-pocketed player that should be offering choice in the rendering engine market.
dralley 6y ago
That article doesn't mention what the terms of the deal are. Mozilla has lost marketshare since the last time the deal was made, it's possible that the funding was cut as well.
foepys 6y ago
It doesn't state the amount. Google can renew the deal and still pay 50% less.
wrycoder 6y ago
Maybe these lay-offs were the least bad of two choices.
nullc 6y ago
Maybe the layoffs were essential to the negotiation. "Take our terms or you'll have to lay off people!" "Ha Ha. Hold my beer" :)

mvn9 6y ago

Then it was a negotiation tactic. Mozilla showed that they don't desperately need the money because they are willing to cut all expenses. Thus, Google can't play the 'take whatever we offer or you will be bankrupt in 2021'-card. Firing the developers should have led to a better deal and they can now silently rehire them back.

the_duke 6y ago
Google doesn't need the search engine placement in Firefox. The market share is tiny. (sadly) I can imagine that Google is somewhat interested in keeping Firefox alive as an independent browser though, just to ward off monopoly issues. Yes, there are plenty of Chromium reskins, but Firefox is the only other remaining full, cross-platform browser engine.
- deleted 6y ago
  [deleted]
blub 6y ago
The old negotiation tactic of I'll chop my arm off to show you that I don't need your money.
- hu3 6y ago
  tis but a scratch
  - drno123 6y ago
    flesh wound
jasonzemos 6y ago
I assume it followed an attempt by Google to influence how these funds are directed at Mozilla. Is Servo a threat to Google? Perhaps reinventing everything in Rust is just a detestable waste of resources?
BuckRogers 6y ago
That would work a whole one time. Not next time though. I don't believe that's what they were doing. I think they were using the funding excuse as a way to cut staff without looking like bad guys. Reality is they were already deep in talks with Google on resigning and did the job cuts before finalizing. They're probably doomed if the exact correct choices aren't made, I'm in that unpopular crowd that believes they should find a way to graft Firefox's presentation and features on top of Chromium to save on Gecko maintenance costs, and then continue to monetize with side products like their VPN and Rust (consulting). They should sell Pocket. Marketshare gains will take time, that's a long hard road but it'll be based on features and privacy. If Microsoft couldn't hold off Chromium with EdgeHTML, then a smaller player won't be able to. There's still Webkit if de facto standards are a worry. Mozilla isn't the well-positioned, deep-pocketed player that should be offering choice in the rendering engine market.

dralley 6y ago

That article doesn't mention what the terms of the deal are. Mozilla has lost marketshare since the last time the deal was made, it's possible that the funding was cut as well.

foepys 6y ago

It doesn't state the amount. Google can renew the deal and still pay 50% less.

wrycoder 6y ago

Maybe these lay-offs were the least bad of two choices.

nullc 6y ago

Maybe the layoffs were essential to the negotiation. "Take our terms or you'll have to lay off people!" "Ha Ha. Hold my beer" :)