AOL Releases Client for Mac OS X with Gecko Browser

DietFluffy writes "America Online released an update to their Mac OS X client. The built-in browser is powered by Gecko! However, America Online plans to stick with Internet Explorer for their Windows client. Will this make web designers think twice about tailoring their web pages to Internet Explorer? Or will they ignore this, given that the Windows client will still have Internet Explorer as the default browser?" And if this goes well, will the Windows version eventually use a Gecko-based browser, too?

Comments

Do we hate AOL today?

[joshua404]

I can't remember - Is AOL the evil corporate empire today or are they the champions fighting against M$? Let me check my calendar..

hmm MS supports Mozilla?

[linuxislandsucks]

Have you noticde that MS sites display correctly in Mozilla..I can even get winodws udpates..

Its a consipracy to support Mozilla!

Oh no! Mozilla is coming after AOL next!

Re:8.0 Uses Gecko

[Jugalator]

Whoa... Time to sign... Heey, you almost tricked me into becoming an AOL user!

Re:Mac IE != Windows IE

[thatguywhoiam]

Mac IE is a totally separate product from its Windows counterpart. I'm not too sure about whether it exposes itself as a DCOM component like WinIE...

A what now? Not sure about that. Don't see anything sticking out that says DCOM.

Mine's purple.

Re:8.0 Uses Gecko

[spring]

Yes, you are correct. I should be careful what I say. I may lose my AOL privileges. That would be a disaster.

Where Free Software Fails

[jvmatthe]

Recent big moves by the tech industry indicate that free software is moving forward, for the good of all. IBM's offerings, Sun's offerings, Apple, and now AOL with this full embrace of Gecko on MacOS X (the newest UNIX on the block!). We have free software replacements for web browsers, desktop environments, office productivity apps, and on and on.

Yet, there is one very painful area in which free software has not stepped up and provided GNU replacements. This key area is preventing the adoption of free software for the standard desktop, and it must be remedied soon, or all will be lost.

Thus, I propose that the FSF take up the following projects as soon as developers can be found:

• GNU Hunter for BSD - A deer^H^H^H^HGNU hunting simulation game. Finally, the unwashed masses can put down their weapons, leave their Windows machines behind, and massacre virtual deer on a free operating system. Expansions for various critters should be developed by the community using a plugin system. A lucrative deal with Wal-mart will follow.
  
• GNASCAR for GNU/Linux - Utilizing OpenGL for mind-blowing 3D graphics, this brings all the thrill of speeding around oval tracks to the free software world. I suggest a "dynasty mode" that includes famous names like Earnhart and Petty.
  
• WWE: Wrestling the GNU Way for GNU/Linux - Enter the ring against Raymond, Stallman, Moglen, Perens, and the king of them all TORVALDS! Unlock secret characters like CmdrTaco and Roblimo.
  

Until this hole is plugged in the free software front, we are fighting a losing battle.