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0 pointslcnPylGDnU4H9OF2y ago0 comments

Alternatively, the more users Firefox has, the more incentive Google has to twist Mozilla's arm. I doubt that ultimately defeats forks that are maintained by volunteers (https://librewolf.net/), and I don't want to discourage Firefox adoption, but it's not quite so cut-and-dry as "use Firefox". There will likely come a time that it's "use this community fork of old-Firefox-before-it-got-Googled".

Still not a case against Firefox; just pointing out there's more to the picture.

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toyg2y ago

In the past, when FF was stronger, they took search deals with other engines (yahoo, bing). If their numbers go back up, it could be a viable strategy again.

Maybe I'm old, but doing the right thing on the internet has always been harder than just going with the flow. Using Linux in 2000 was very hard, using Firefox in 2001 was no walk in the park - but one gotta do what one gotta do, if one has some principles.

leotravis102y ago

In other words, if Firefox becomes popular enough, there's a chance that Google will deliver a nail to Mozilla's coffin in pulling their search deal and other funding which is the backbone of their business in a financial level.

Another example is that Mozilla has a LOT to lose if the DOJ wins in the US v. Google antitrust trial just for those deals.

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