Ubuntu Developers Revisit Replacing Firefox With Chromium

Via Phoronix comes news that Ubuntu is revisiting replacing Firefox with Chromium as the default browser. Reasons include that Chromium is the basis of Ubuntu Touch and their new web apps platform, and using a single browser for all versions of Ubuntu would simplify maintenance. From the article: "Expressed shortcomings of switching to Google's Chromium open-source web-browser is that data migration from Firefox isn't too obvious, extensions don't migrate between browsers, Chromium isn't supported on all architectures (e.g. PowerPC), the browser doesn't work with the Orca screen reader and doesn't integrate well for accessibility reasons, there is no native PDF plug-in, and Chromium is said to have worse performance under memory pressure. There were also some concerns expressed about differences with WebApps in Chromium. ... It looks like the switch to Chromium will happen in the name of a better user experience for the desktop with Chrome/Chromium now arguably surpassing Firefox in its features and performance while pushing Chromium as the default leads to a more consistent experience across Ubuntu form factors from phones/tablets to the desktop." The Ubuntu community will have their input solicited as the next step. The Ubuntu Developer Summit session has notes and a full video of today's discussion.

Re:Fine by me

[Anonymous Coward]

Fine by me too, because we've decided to replace Ubuntu next time we do a major install. Canonical has made one to many bone headed decision for our tastes.

Irrelevant?

[Luthair]

I can't but help think this decision is largely irrelevant to the majority of Ubuntu users. Unless I've somehow missed the news of Linux taking over the mainstream desktop, most users are technically savvy and undoubtedly already have their own browser preference and the knowledge to install it rendering discussions of upgrade paths largely irrelevant.

Sure Firefox users may dislike the extra step, but on the otherhand Chromium users will presumably be pleased that they no longer need to install it afterwards.

Why so much bloat Firefox???

[duckgod]

Message to Firefox developers: Please stop adding features that someone else can do with addons. For the life of me I can't figure out why Firefox started developing its own set of developer tools when Firebug is still one of the best tools on the market.

I beg of you to please strip anything out of Firefox that is not part to the web browsing experience and put it back in as a plugin if you have to. Just focus on being a web browser and having the best plug in interface possible.

This will be the last straw

[Anonymous Coward]

If they try to force me to use Chrome, I will have to go find another distro.

Here's my current short list of things required to make Ubuntu usable:

• sudo apt-get -y install gnome indicator-applet-session compizconfig-settings-manager
• sudo /usr/lib/lightdm/lightdm-set-defaults -s gnome-classic
• gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.preferences button-layout 'menu:minimize,maximize,close'
• gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface ubuntu-overlay-scrollbars false

After installing indicator-applet-session:

1. Winkey-Alt-Rightclick on the clock in the panel and select "Remove".

   (This deletes ALL the default items in the Panel, by deleting the "Indicator Applet Complete".)

2. Winkey-Alt-Rightclick on the Panel and select "Add to Panel". Select "Indicator Applet Session"
3. Winkey-Alt-Rightclick on the Panel and select "Add to Panel". Select "User Menu"
4. Winkey-Alt-Rightclick on the Panel and select "Add to Panel". Select "Clock"
5. Winkey-Alt-Rightclick on the Panel and select "Add to Panel". Select "Indicator Applet"

After you've installed compizconfig-settings-manager:

• Go to system tools > preferences > compizconfig
• Check "Windows Management" > "Static Application Switcher" (WARNING: "Application Switcher" hangs the machine.)
• Check "Extras" > "Window Previews"

After you install apache2:

• sudo a2enmod userdir
• service apache2 restart

Re:Fine by me

[pmontra]

Yes, everybody was using Windows (me too) but I remember that I left Netscape for IE5 because IE5 was so much better than Netscape 4 (IE4 was a little worse). IE6 was a good step forward, it killed Netscape and then the development stopped. Firefox appeared after a few years and was so much better than IE6, so I switched again. Chrome is a little faster than Firefox now, but the gap is getting narrower and its versions of NoScript, AdBlock, Firebug are worse so I'm sticking to Firefox. I'll end up installing it from some repository if Ubuntu switches, not a problem.

Poor NoScript alternatives on Chromium

[Anonymous Coward]

I switched to Chromium for quite a while because some of my friends liked it, and I tried to put up with all the extra Javascript-enabled crap that was running because the JS-limiting options are very poor compared to NoScript running on Firefox.

Eventually I just couldn't take it anymore, and I had to switch back to FF. There's only so much suffering you can put up with, unless you're a true masochist.

Nothing but nothing beats a combination of Firefox with NoScript, FlashBlock, AdBlock and Ghostery add-ons, just nothing. They make the web usable again.

And Chromium will never get better in this area, because it's against Google's interest to allow users to block anything that interrupts the flow of advertising revenue and prevents user tracking. It'll be a sad day when any distro makes Chromium their default browser. Advertisers will wet themselves though.

Re:Well... this is going to be awkward...

[ericcc65]

I switched back to firefox for a few reasons. Can't remember them all at the moment but here's a few:

* Sound on chrome was turning to crap after having it open a while on linux.
* I can install firefox in user space without root.
* Firefox actually seemed more stable and user friendly on my tablet than Chrome.
* Mouse gestures exist on linux unlike on Chrome
* Better access to create/use bookmarks through the sidebar than Chromes ugly approach
* Native PDF viewer now exists

Re:Fine by me

[interval1066]

Right. Switched to Mint after canonical's switch to Unity. Never have looked back.

I'll be sticking with Firefox, as will others

[OhANameWhatName]

For the last while, Firefox has improved and performed well. A while back the Firefox team made an interface change to the browser which made it harder to use. I posted a note to the team talking about why it was wrong etc. They thanked me, and changed it back. That's more that can be said for the Ubuntu team.

This is just another excuse for unification across the Ubuntu platforms which is the Ubuntu headlong charge into obscurity. Nighty night Ubuntu, fare thee well.

Re:Chrome is a trojan horrse..

[Anonymous Coward]

I switched from Firefox to Chrome for a simple reason: porn. With Chrome, it was possible to have both private windows and regular windows open at the same time, and in Firefox, it wasn't.

Well, now Firefox does have that capability, and wouldn't you know it, its market share is ticking back up again.