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1. Embed this notice
   Ben S. (hunterz@mastodon.sdf.org)'s status on Tuesday, 05-Dec-2023 08:50:52 JST Ben S.

   Google: *does something anticompetitive/exploitative/user-hostile with Chrome*

   Mastodon: Switch to browser XYZ!

   Browser XYZ: *laughs due to just being Chrome in a trench coat*

   • Embed this notice
     Joe Ortiz (joeo10@mastodon.sdf.org)'s status on Tuesday, 05-Dec-2023 08:50:48 JST Joe Ortiz

     in reply to

     • Juan

     @HunterZ @reidrac If you saw this thread over the weekend, I posted my biggest fears on if/when Google cuts Mozilla's main source of funding. Long story short: don't expext to rely on Firefox to save us in the long term. https://mastodon.sdf.org/@joeo10/111512171230220449
     https://mastodon.sdf.org/@joeo10/111512234052100993

   • Embed this notice
     Ben S. (hunterz@mastodon.sdf.org)'s status on Tuesday, 05-Dec-2023 08:50:49 JST Ben S.

     in reply to

     • Juan

     @reidrac why would it be a good thing for even 20% of Chrome users to switch to Firefox? What would this materially accomplish?

     Also, would Mozilla remain solvent if Google decided to stop funding them? If not, how can Mozilla actually be trusted to remain completely free of even unconscious Google influence?

   • Embed this notice
     Juan (reidrac@social.sdf.org)'s status on Tuesday, 05-Dec-2023 08:50:50 JST Juan

     in reply to

     @HunterZ is not the case, at the moment. People can switch to Firefox, as it is today, and that would be a good thing.

     Google *could* try to stagnate Firefox by cutting Mozilla's income, but let's not forget that Google likes Firefox because is one of the arguments to not be a monopoly search/browser -- people switching to Firefox is in fact convenient to Google.

   • Embed this notice
     Ben S. (hunterz@mastodon.sdf.org)'s status on Tuesday, 05-Dec-2023 08:50:51 JST Ben S.

     in reply to

     Mastodon: Switch to Firefox!

     Google: *laughs while shoveling some more money at Mozilla to keep Firefox in its little corner*

     Imagine if someone said "stop smoking cigarettes - chew gum instead!" while the chewing gum company gets half its revenue from the cigarette company.

   • Embed this notice
     Ben S. (hunterz@mastodon.sdf.org)'s status on Tuesday, 05-Dec-2023 10:31:24 JST Ben S.

     in reply to

     • Joe Ortiz
     • Juan

     @joeo10 @reidrac didn't see this, but your takes there are spot on.

     People make Firefox out to be some kind of hero fighting against Google, and it's ridiculously out of touch with reality. Mozilla is not opposition, and if they were, then they would be controlled opposition!

     Firefox is like a third party spoiler candidate in a political race, or a proposal to end climate change by using paper straws. It's not a meaningful alternative to anything anymore.

   • Embed this notice
     Joe Ortiz (joeo10@mastodon.sdf.org)'s status on Wednesday, 06-Dec-2023 03:05:31 JST Joe Ortiz

     in reply to

     • Juan

     @HunterZ @reidrac Exactly, Firefox is basically a zombie browser right now (and I'm sad to even saying it) as Google is using Mozilla as a pawn in the US vs. Google antitrust trial and people still don't realize this.

     BTW, The US government may not support Firefox if it dips below 2% market share as I shared here: https://mastodon.sdf.org/@joeo10/111529117117902137