As long as they keep supporting the framework for Firefox we'll still get working forks like LibreWolf.
Hopefully Ladybird starts picking up more in the next few years...
this post was submitted on 18 Sep 2024
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What you gonna do? Go to Google? Mozilla is not allowed to make advertisements (even with the goal of privacy respecting ads), Mozilla is not allowed to get money from Google and Mozilla is not allowed to sell Firefox. These are some of the problems Mozilla is facing. I'm personally not entirely against ads, if its done right (respecting my privacy and not being annoying, also not trying to scam me).
People shit on Mozilla and Firefox, but there is no alternative. Forks off course are alternatives, but without Mozilla's Firefox, there wouldn't be forks. Google, Microsoft and Apple are way, waaay worse.
Agree. If it was a perfect world then governments would fund and contribute to open source project to make sure there are good free solution to keep your data private (at least from being collected and sold to some random companies) and make sure they won't go down.
Sadly I don't think it's really happening...
I don't understand governments. They want to be in a position where they are not controlled by single giant tech companies, yet they do not do anything for their freedom. Here in Germany from time to time the government, or parts of it, want to switch to Open Source (Linux and Office) and start funding it. But then after some time they give up. If they would fund the projects now, then later it would be a much easier task to switch entirely.
The fact that Mozilla is not as evil as Google (yet) is only so good, though. If they continue in this downward trajectory, they might eventually put out a browser worse than Chrome, and if that becomes the case... I guess so.
If Mozilla is hemorrhaging money, then maybe they should plug the $65 million in donations towards AI and venture capital firms. Maybe they should lower the CEO salary, which is what happens in general to CEO salaries when markets underperform... Instead of raising it by nearly $2 million.
Hear, hear!
there is no alternative
There will be. LadyBird and Servo. And I'm gonna ditch Firefox as soon, as they'll become viable.
Which will be years from now, if ever. I mean, I hope for them as much as you do, but it doesn't mean there is no problem right now.
The "I don't care if you go broke, give me what I want" stance I'm seeing online seems short-sighted at best and narcissistic at worst.
As a general stance "People want me to give them free shit. I say gtfo.", I understand you.
That's just not proportional to Mozilla and Firefox. In 2022 they had a total revenue of $595 million¹. That allows them to hire 3305 software developers at a salary of $180.000. Google was responsible for 81% of that revenue¹. If you remove Google and their influence from the equation you're left with $113 millon and Mozilla can then hire 628 software developers. I think that would be more than adequate to maintain a browser.
I'm sure those developers don't need any material like, say, software, or a desk. Or other staff to write those paychecks and resolve disputes. Or give direction. Nor would the company need to host any downloads or other websites.
I'm pretty sure Mozilla becoming a cheap Google clone is not good long term
Everyone: Mozilla should find new revenue streams in order to become truly independent.
Mozilla: We're open to suggestions
Everyone: …
Mozilla: We're going to explore doing so in an organic method across our products using the methodology that big tech is generating money, but with a Mozilla spin.
Everyone: How dare you!
If Mozilla is engaging in unethical behavior that publicly violates its own alleged principles, people can point it out.
But sure, here are a few suggestions:
- Continue finding white label services they can sell, such as Mozilla VPN
- Create a donation system using GNU Taler that you can put towards websites you visit, like brave Rewards already has.
- Allow users to give donations explicitly to Firefox development instead of Mozilla itself.
- End the $65 million in donations towards AI.
- Follow typical market forces and lower the CEO pay instead of raising it by nearly $2 million.
We're going to explore doing so in an organic method across our products using the methodology that big tech is generating money, but with a Mozilla spin.
Hm yes, the "we're built different so we won't be affected by enshittification" option
that support advertising in clients (Firefox, MDN, Pocket, Fakespot, etc)
Ah, the "Mozilla Spin" is to put fucking ads in Firefox, got it.
The Ads position:
We’re growing the Mozilla Ads product team, passionate about display advertising in Mozilla products that is privacy-respecting and values-aligned. You will be one of the lead engineers that will craft, build, and be responsible for the core systems, both front-end and back-end, that support advertising in clients (Firefox, MDN, Pocket, Fakespot, etc). You and your team will be the domain guides when it comes to advertising, providing direction and shepherding to various product teams across Mozilla.
Yeaaaah fuck off Mozilla, we don't want Ads.
They Slogan
Why Mozilla?
At Mozilla, we’re serving humanity—by maintaining a safe, open internet—while also helping the individual humans employed here to reach their personal and professional goals. [...]
I guess that's no longer the case then?
Stick your hand in your pocket and send them some money then.
I would advise withholding any donation to Mozilla until they allow you to fund Firefox development, rather than going in a pool that will probably end up in some random venture capital investment into an AI firm.
Or a cryptocurrency one.
Yeah, Mozilla invested in fucking cryptocurrency.
Well I consider stopping donating to them.
When you don't have a business plan you choose ads.
Wow fucking rip