To a curious user who is not a "developer", "Developer Tools" is just more browser options. What tech companies want to everyone to forget is that any person who has no interest in working as a "developer" for a "tech" company can use the exact same software including all of its features as so-called "developers". Whether they choose to do that is their business and their choice, not the tech company's. I know this topic has come up before on HN, many years ago, that using names like "Developer Tools" just drives people away who are not interested in being labeled "developers". Even "Web Development Tools" would be better.
Chromebooks, where the browser is supposed to be seen as the OS (even though it isn't), are another example. There is an artificial classification of people into the categories "user" or "developer" (no such thing as "power users" or anyone who would care to understand how the computer works but not care to invade people's privacy for money). "Developer mode"? Seriously? Making a computer with storage space deliberately scant enough that the buyer is compelled to use "cloud storage", so the tech company can collect more data. Meanwhile "smartphones", a much smaller form factor, sold by the same company have over 10x the storage. Shameful and manipulative.
By operating under the artificial distinction of "developer" vs. "user", then all the stuff that users really should know about, but that the tech company hopes they won't know about, can be communicated under the assumption that the only people who would read it are "developers". Thus, zero effort needs to be made to try to tell "users" how this stuff really works. This arguably makes for more naive, carefree users and makes it easier for the tech company to collect data and serve advertising. And we know that is not what "users" prefer.
"That said, I have seen far too many people and companies resorting to browser extensions where a snippet or override would do the trick."
Right. Extensions, unless self-authored, usually require surrendering control to third parties. Tech companies like that. It is common on HN to see some extension author telling us how many inquiries they get from people looking to (secretly) buy their extensions as a means to get access to access to (unknowing) users. Using extensions, it is less likely that a user will learn anything whereas they would definitely learn from writing snippets and editing their own copies of others' scripts to use as overrides.
