this post was submitted on 10 Jan 2025
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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

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[–] [email protected] 102 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

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...

[–] [email protected] 53 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)
[–] [email protected] 43 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

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

[–] fin 33 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (2 children)

I want Chrome to be sold, honestly.

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

[–] [email protected] 25 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Aren't a good portion of contributors to the Linux kernel also employees of the major FAANG companies?

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

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

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week 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.

[–] [email protected] 23 points 2 weeks 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.

[–] fin 10 points 2 weeks ago
[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

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

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

That's a pretty unfair kneejerk without receipts.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 week ago (1 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.

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

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.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week 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.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)
[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 weeks 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?)

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week 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.

[–] yonder 2 points 2 weeks ago

I find the ad blocking in Gnome Web to be sufficient. The biggest thing that is holding it back in my opinion is a lack of features like extentions and FIDO support and moderate performance.

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

GNOME Web uses Webkit, that's Apples browser engine

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

More accurately, It uses WebkitGTK, which is a fork of Webkit. Blink, the engine Chromium and Chromium based browsers use, is also a fork of Webkit.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago

Is it a hard fork? I thought it was just a soft fork