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Separate process tabs? Rendering and javascript speed? UI features? I know it's popular on HN to focus on technical features, but that entirely misses the point

by pdkl95 12y ago

Separate process tabs? Rendering and javascript speed? UI features? I know it's popular on HN to focus on technical features, but that entirely misses the point of this post. Technical features will continue to improve over time. The browser that is "best" in any given area will change as the code evolves. Most of the other reasons to like a given browser are the subjective opinions we all have or the particular use cases we have in mind. None of this matters. When comparing Firefox and Chrome, the substantive difference isn't which browser is faster or which browser uses less memory. The difference that matters is the power of monopoly and what their dominance means for our future. Supporting Chrome by using it is a vote in support of Google being able to dictate standards. Chrome already sends way too much data[1] for storage[2] and analysis. Even worse, using Chrome instead of Firefox will eventually damage the Free Software[3] ecosystem. While most people focus one the availability of source code, barriers in interoperability is the more fastest and most effective way restrict both developer and user freedom. This is why the LGPLv2 puts a special restriction on static linking; you (usually) can't replace or modify the Free Software components unless they are dynamically linked[4]. We already see Google following Apple's lead in restricting phones. Do you really want the browser to end up with Android-style limitations[5]? Even though I don't think it's a good idea to let anybody aggregate and analyze all the data we generate, I can respect the decision of someone who actually wants Google/Chrome to win over Firefox. I'm primarily suggesting that there are Big Issues going on around us and - intentional or not - there seems to be a lot of people being distracted by stuff that won't matter in the long run. "...we have to create the future, or others would do it for us." - Ivonova, B5/"Sleeping In Light" [1] Firefox has problems here as well, unfortunately. [2] Even if Prism and XKeyScore didn't exist, that data is still merely a subpoena or "national security letter" away from the NSA or any other branch of government. [3] "Open Source" is not the same thing. [4] (lack of) interoperability is also the problem a lot of us have with systemd. Too much focus on technical features that distracts from the threat to interoperability. [5] https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/android-and-users-freedom.html https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/android-and-users-freedom.htm...

dep_b 12y ago
The reason to stop using Firefox on my Mac was battery life, Safari handles this so much better that it was impossible to ignore. On Windows 8 whenever I use I tend to use Internet Explorer as it's better optimised for HDPI screens. But I still love Firefox and I'm ready to return to the nest again as soon as the battery life issue is fixed.
- api 12y ago
  Honestly I think the OP's title should really be "use something other than Chrome." The fear here is that Chrome (and Google) are approaching critical mass that would allow platform lock in. I personally think that Gmail is the greater threat. In looking at users signed up on a service of mine, I see almost all GMail. It's breathtaking. Pretty soon Google will have the ability to basically embrace-extend-extinguish the Internet's most useful service. I too use Safari on Mac. Better integration with the OS. Chrome is slightly faster but meh.
  - eropple 12y ago
    I use Google Apps for Business because I no longer have to think about the bullshit around mail and spam, and that's not going to change until the alternatives are worth the time they require me to invest. I get the argument regarding Gmail, but if you want somebody to not use Gmail, you're gonna have to be better than Gmail. Nobody is. (Outlook.com is okay, but their web client is garbage and email is one of fairly few things I want as a web app.)
    - api 12y ago
      I don't disagree. GMail conquered the world by investing a lot in overcoming the spam problem.

by pdkl95 12y ago

dep_b 12y ago

The reason to stop using Firefox on my Mac was battery life, Safari handles this so much better that it was impossible to ignore. On Windows 8 whenever I use I tend to use Internet Explorer as it's better optimised for HDPI screens. But I still love Firefox and I'm ready to return to the nest again as soon as the battery life issue is fixed.

api 12y ago
Honestly I think the OP's title should really be "use something other than Chrome." The fear here is that Chrome (and Google) are approaching critical mass that would allow platform lock in. I personally think that Gmail is the greater threat. In looking at users signed up on a service of mine, I see almost all GMail. It's breathtaking. Pretty soon Google will have the ability to basically embrace-extend-extinguish the Internet's most useful service. I too use Safari on Mac. Better integration with the OS. Chrome is slightly faster but meh.
- eropple 12y ago
  I use Google Apps for Business because I no longer have to think about the bullshit around mail and spam, and that's not going to change until the alternatives are worth the time they require me to invest. I get the argument regarding Gmail, but if you want somebody to not use Gmail, you're gonna have to be better than Gmail. Nobody is. (Outlook.com is okay, but their web client is garbage and email is one of fairly few things I want as a web app.)
  - api 12y ago
    I don't disagree. GMail conquered the world by investing a lot in overcoming the spam problem.