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Linux Foundation bands together Chromium browser makers in a “neutral space” (arstechnica.com)
submitted 2 years ago* by to c/linux@lemmy.ml
31 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

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

all 31 comments

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[–] 104 points 2 years ago (1 child)

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...

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    • [–] 55 points 2 years ago (6 children)

    Why not firefox?

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  • [+] -38 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    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.

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    • [–] 45 points 2 years ago (6 children)

    "Google could be forced to sell Chrome" was the news in late november so I guess this a reaction to that.

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  • [–] [S] 33 points 2 years ago* (5 children)

    I want Chrome to be sold, honestly.

    I still don't get why Linux Foundation helped Google out of that.

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  • [–] 25 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    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.

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  • [–] 2 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    This seems more a safeguard for if that happens, since Chromium project would be in jeopardy

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  • [–] 1 point 2 years ago (1 child)

    they could easily have done this after the fact and avoided the current reality which Will be Google using Linux foundation funding to protect its monopoly of the ecosystem

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  • [–] 2 points 2 years ago*

    So instead of proactively working to make sure it's not just Google contributing to Chromium (contributions that could go away if sold off), you think it would be better to just let the worst happen and then start doing something about it?

    Do you realize how much modern web relies on Chromium and how much of that is done by Google currently? It's a terrible idea to have it the way it currently is and probably even worse if Chrome is sold.

    Also the idea of widening the contributor base helping the monopoly is sorta backwards.

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    • [–] 25 points 2 years ago

    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.

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    [–] [S] 11 points 2 years ago

    Also: Google & Linux Foundation Launch "Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers" Fund

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    [–] 7 points 2 years ago (5 children)

    So the Linux Foundation is in Google's pocket. Good to know,

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  • [–] 9 points 2 years ago (4 children)

    That's a pretty unfair kneejerk without receipts.

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  • [–] 11 points 2 years ago (3 children)

    When it comes to a megacorp like Alphabet/Google, assuming foul play and bribery should always be the kneejerk.

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  • [–] 7 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    More likely, it's calculated. The Linux Foundation probably did the math and realized that they could either participate in it, or watch Google run it themselves, packing the board with sycophants and leaving it with no real oversight.

    This way, there's actually a trusted nonprofit voice in the room.

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  • [–] 4 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    I hope you're right. I just have the problem of thinking if you've got 9 megacorp supports and one nonprofit, you have 10 supporters for the largest megacorp.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 years ago

    Maybe. Depends on what they do with it. But assuming they have any power on this board at all, it'll be better that they're there than if they weren't. It's not like Linux Foundation "keeping their hands clean" is going to help anything other than optics.

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    • [–] 5 points 2 years ago (6 children)

    Why not Gnome web?

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  • [–] 10 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    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?)

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  • [–] 4 points 2 years ago

    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.

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  • [–] 2 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    GNOME Web uses Webkit, that's Apples browser engine

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