4 ms·

Can you really be an independent web browser when Google basically controls the W3C? I'll be using this as soon as it comes out anyway. It's not like there are

by grg0 2y ago

Can you really be an independent web browser when Google basically controls the W3C? I'll be using this as soon as it comes out anyway. It's not like there are a lot of alternatives in this space, so I very much welcome fresh takes.

keyle 2y ago
Yes, the web browser is independent, not the web specifications!
- grg0 2y ago
  I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic, but it means nothing to "own" the browser when, realistically, you're going to be playing catch-up with the whims of the one corporation that basically controls nearly all decisions on the spec.
  - afavour 2y ago
    They're not legally bound to implement every spec the W3C publishes.
  - danielhep 2y ago
    The spec only has the power it does because of the market share of Google’s browser though. More people using independent browsers means less power by google to single-handedly control the spec.
    - edoceo 2y ago
      They can still control the spec. Ladybird would need a seat at the table to start the change there. But if there is more browser diversity, and less support for Chrome Only things, maybe that starts (continues?) the path of Chrome becoming IE6
      - OkayPhysicist 2y ago
        You can always just ignore the spec, if you have a big enough market share.
      - dzaima 2y ago
        Basically noone other than browser vendors will look at the spec anyway. The reality is effectively descriptive, not prescriptive. Sure, without having a majority marketshare a browser can't by itself push for their new features to be supported by other browsers, but they will effectively disincentivize website owners to not use features they don't support if they have marketshare of any significance. At which point it'd be in W3C's best interest to allow Ladybird to participate, or else their work gets underutilized.
deleted 2y ago
[deleted]
phendrenad2 2y ago
If enough people use it, websites can stop following the W3C.

by grg0 2y ago

keyle 2y ago

Yes, the web browser is independent, not the web specifications!

grg0 2y ago
I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic, but it means nothing to "own" the browser when, realistically, you're going to be playing catch-up with the whims of the one corporation that basically controls nearly all decisions on the spec.
- afavour 2y ago
  They're not legally bound to implement every spec the W3C publishes.
- danielhep 2y ago
  The spec only has the power it does because of the market share of Google’s browser though. More people using independent browsers means less power by google to single-handedly control the spec.
  - edoceo 2y ago
    They can still control the spec. Ladybird would need a seat at the table to start the change there. But if there is more browser diversity, and less support for Chrome Only things, maybe that starts (continues?) the path of Chrome becoming IE6
    - OkayPhysicist 2y ago
      You can always just ignore the spec, if you have a big enough market share.
    - dzaima 2y ago
      Basically noone other than browser vendors will look at the spec anyway. The reality is effectively descriptive, not prescriptive. Sure, without having a majority marketshare a browser can't by itself push for their new features to be supported by other browsers, but they will effectively disincentivize website owners to not use features they don't support if they have marketshare of any significance. At which point it'd be in W3C's best interest to allow Ladybird to participate, or else their work gets underutilized.

deleted 2y ago

[deleted]

phendrenad2 2y ago

If enough people use it, websites can stop following the W3C.