this post was submitted on 04 Oct 2024
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Clearly, Google is serious about trying to oust ad blockers from its browser, or at least those extensions with fuller (V2) levels of functionality. One of the crucial twists with V3 is that it prevents the use of remotely hosted code – as a security measure – but this also means ad blockers can’t update their filter lists without going through Google’s review process. What does that mean? Way slower updates for said filters, which hampers the ability of the ad-blocking extension to keep up with the necessary changes to stay effective.

(This isn’t just about browsers, either, as the war on advert dodgers extends to YouTube, too, as we’ve seen in recent months).

At any rate, Google is playing with fire here somewhat – or Firefox, perhaps we should say – as this may be the shove some folks need to get them considering another of the best web browsers out there aside from Chrome. Mozilla, the maker of Firefox, has vowed to maintain support for V2 extensions, while introducing support for V3 alongside to give folks a choice (now there’s a radical idea).

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[–] [email protected] -1 points 2 months ago

A web extension isn't going to be that much of a game changer for Firefox. Usage is down, new profile rate is down, concerning financials towards Firefox and this issue has been ongoing for sometime with ublock. This isn't meant to diss ublock though.

I don't have much hope for Mozilla attracting more users to make userbase count impact. Hopefully overpaid execs proves my pessimism wrong about my favorite browser.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 2 months ago (2 children)

It's going to be internet explorer era again. I wonder which will replace chrome in the future.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

I have hopes, that servo as a little more independent web engine, will thrive in the future

[–] [email protected] -2 points 2 months ago (2 children)

How? If you would have said Chromium based era, then sure, possible. Internet Explorer for 64 bit was officially retired June 15, 2022 and permanently disabled through an Edge update.

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[–] [email protected] 121 points 2 months ago (16 children)

We’re going to have a serious problem on our hands soon with compatibility. I’m a software dev and I’m already seeing a few issues here and there where Chrome is being treated as the default expected browser and features don’t work on Firefox.

Firefox doesn’t support a fair few Chrome features because of security and privacy reasons, such as WebHID, WebUSB, etc.

Devs, please stop using those features. I know it’s tempting, but they’re basically bribes to encourage you to sell out to Google. Don’t do it.

[–] [email protected] 49 points 2 months ago

We’re going to have a serious problem on our hands soon with compatibility. I’m a software dev and I’m already seeing a few issues here and there where Chrome is being treated as the default expected browser and features don’t work on Firefox.

It's basically IE6 and ActiveX all over again.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 2 months ago (5 children)

Teams calls for example :( I have chromium on my Debian only for teams.

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I'm using Firefox as my only browser. If everything works in Firefox that's fine for me.

That's the best advantage of only making websites / web applications for fun (for friend groups, video games, family etc)

[–] [email protected] 18 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

Yeah, but that’s my point, not everything works in Firefox now - even though admittedly it’s relatively niche stuff - and my prediction is that if we continue on our current course Firefox will either have to compromise their commitment to privacy and security or will become more and more unusable.

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[–] [email protected] 19 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I find it funny how so many people are switching back to firefox but its been my default since I was like 10. I had crappy laptops when I was young and it was the only one that worked, it works amazingly for my modern computer.

[–] [email protected] 19 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Yeah, I remember when Chrome was first released, I was already on Firefox, and I downloaded and tried Chrome....

I absolutely hated the UI, and kept on using Firefox.

Over the years, I have seen many articles about how Chrome is better because it is faster, I never had an issue with Firefox, so I kept using it.

The only time I swiched from Firefox since version 1.0 was when they launched the Australis redesign as it made it look like a boring chrome copy.

I swiched to Pale Moon, a Fitefox fork which kept the old UI, then when they released the Quantum redesign, I switched back.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

Same for me. Cool my commonly used Websites load 0.05ms faster - idc. Still gonna use firefox

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[–] [email protected] -1 points 2 months ago

I fail to see the issue.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 months ago

The Fox has been re-promoted to my daily driver as of this year. Chrome still in play for work stuff & sites don't have ads.

[–] [email protected] 43 points 2 months ago (2 children)

While this will drive some users to Firefox, we all know it won't be enough. Too many people simple don't know, or don't care, it won't affect their lives in any meaningful way, or so they will believe. Google will be harming the tech illiterate and normies (sorry for the slur) because money, bullshit, and to drive the stake deeper into the monopoly. If you have older family members using chrome, sit them down and explain to them the dangers of the internet without adblock.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 months ago (2 children)

If you have older family members, you could try just installing Firefox for them and tell them it's their internet now. This worked for me parents.

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[–] [email protected] 17 points 2 months ago (2 children)

It gets me thinking. Tech literate people are the types to install blockers, and would be the same type of people both motivated and knowledgeable about how to switch browsers. On the line of thinking it seems like it is just going to drive them away from Chrome. Tech illiterate people remain unaffected since they are getting ads anyway.

But then on the other hand, if someone is tech literate then why are they even still using Chrome? Does such a person value whatever advantage Chrome theoretically provides over their ad-blocking?

[–] [email protected] 17 points 2 months ago (6 children)

as a chromium browser user - i've been meaning to switch to firefox, and i know it'll take me maybe a day, but it feels like so much workkkk. In a similar fashion i've been meaning to switch to Linux for ages too. I guess it just hasn't gotten bad enough for me to take action

as long as my adblockers & script blockers work, i'm not forced to upgrade to win11, and win10 still has security updates i don't think it's pushing on my discomfort buttons strong enough. I know the day will come, but like with a lot of things in my life - why do something today when i can do it tomorrow?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

What do you mean "work"? What is it that needs to move?

You just fire up Firefox and start using it. It'll even scrape your chrome setup to move bookmarks and stuff over.

It's not an OS. It's an application.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago (4 children)

i don't use chrome itself. i have a lot of saved things, roughly a million tabs open at every moment, and passwords saved which i do not remember

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago

I feel you. It's vey much a convenience thing, and sitting down with something you're used to.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

That’s some procrastination going on. Sometimes you should force yourself to start doing something for a minute or so and things will eventually change.

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