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Firefox Lead Now Working For Google
zmarties writes "In a very
low key announcement on his blog, Ben Goodger, lead developer for
Firefox, has announce that effective from a couple of weeks ago, he has become a Google employee. In practice his day to day job won't change that much, in that he will still lead Firefox through its forthcoming releases, but with Google paying his wages, we can be sure that new and interesting overlap between the Mozilla Foundation's browsers and Google's services are sure to develop."
What functionality from the Google toolbar do you not get with the search box in Firefox? Whatever it is, there's probably an extension to handle it.
Thinkin' Lincoln - a web comic of presidential proportions
Microsoft makes the only competing product for Firefox - them hiring him would be absurdly conspicuous. Google, on the other hand, has a competitor in Microsoft, as does Firefox, and if the IE monopoly stays put, then MSN Search as a default in IE may overtake Google in the same way IE as a default in Windows (and, eventually, Mac) overtook Netscape.
If, however, Google can help make Firefox a heavy player (not that it isn't already), and can also provide to Firefox users more and better integration with Google (should they so choose), then Firefox's growing platform will help Google, and Google's will help Firefox.
The concern with Goodger's defection to Google is that Goodger will now steer Firefox development in such a way that it will conform to the coding standards of Beijing. We know that Google kowtows to Beijing because the bulk of its programmers hail from China (which includes Taiwan province and Hong Kong). Perhaps, Goodger will now insert special remote control mechanisms in Firefox so that Beijing can more easily censor what the Chinese see.
Frodo felt glad to finally be able to relax and get some proper rest in a decent surrounding. At last, he was able to enjoy the comforts of a clean, quiet room.
The room he was occupying was small, but cozy. Its accommodations were simple, yet practical. It had the basics: a square-shaped, wooden table with chairs set in a corner; a few candles scattered throughout the room; a plain rug; and a decent-sized bed (which interested the hobbit the most).
Frodo yawned and stretched, feeling the tense muscles in his body loosen. He then removed his green cloak and slowly unbuttoned his dark-brown vest. Dressed only in his white blouse and short breeches, he walked over to the bed and crawled on top of it. Drawing back the quilted blankets, he snuggled in and pulled the warm covers over his small body. Just as he was about to lay his weary upon the soft, feathered pillow, he heard a faint knock at the door. "Yes? Who is it?" he asked.
After a moment of silence, there came a reply. "It's me, Frodo...it's Aragorn."
"Aragorn?"
"Yes...can I come in?"
"Well, certainly, of course," Frodo answered. "Please, come in."
The door slowly creaked open and Aragorn quietly entered the room. "I hope I'm not disturbing you."
"Disturbing me? Don't be silly," Frodo chuckled. "I was just getting ready for bed, but I'm always in the mood for good company. Where are the others?"
"Asleep," Aragorn replied. "We've had quite a busy day."
"Yes, I know," said Frodo, yawning. "I'm a little exhausted myself, I can't wait to get some rest. This bed is wonderful, it feels like you're lying on a soft cloud."
"Really?" Aragorn walked over to the bed and sat down next to Frodo. "It does seem very comfortable."
"It reminds me so much of home. I'm glad we decided to stay the night at an inn, I was getting so tired of sleeping on the cold, hard ground."
Aragorn laughed. "Me, too. This sure beats listening to the wolves howl."
Frodo giggled, smiling up at the handsome man with bright, blue eyes.
Aragorn stared into the hobbit's wide eyes with fascination. The halfling had the most beautiful and remarkable blue eyes the ranger had ever seen. His pupils were the color of sweet, summer skies. His round face was like that of a young, innocent child; his dark hair soft and curly. He reminded Aragorn of an adorable puppet or doll--so tiny and charming. The mortal man could not help but find the hobbit irresistable; a fact which sometimes made him feel rather awkward. A heavy wave of guilt swept over him, every time he found little Frodo too tempting for his own good. Aragorn knew that his growing desire for the halfling was--needless to say--unnatural. His abnormal feelings greatly disturbed him...yet, they were feelings he could not deny. "Frodo? Can I ask you something?"
"Of course, Aragorn," Frodo replied politely. "What is it?"
Aragorn sat closer to the hobbit. "Frodo," he began, "how...how do you feel about me?"
"How do I feel about you?" Frodo inquired. His heart fluttered like a wild butterfly in his chest. "Well...I...I'm very fond of you, Aragorn," he answered nervously; his cheeks blushing rosy-red.
"Good," replied Aragorn, smiling broadly. "I'm glad to hear it, because I'm very fond of you, too." He stared at the halfling, amazed at how such a small creature could be so beautiful...so tempting. There was something about Frodo that heated Aragorn's blood, something that stirred a deep passion within him--that not even Arwen could create. He gently reached out and ran his fingers through the hobbit's soft, silky curls.
Frodo's heart skipped a beat. Tiny goose-bumps tingled his flesh all over, his body quivered. He could not believe that Aragorn was actually touching him--running his fingers through his hair! It was enough to take his breath away.
Aragorn removed his fingers from Frodo's dark hair and began caressing the hobbit's right cheek with the palm of his hand.
The ranger's gentle tou
"Trust me. You haven't foggiest what true evil is."
Trust me. You are an idiot.
"Really?...I'm waiting."
Data agregation. Now you can shut up.
No I do not see anything for Linux or Apple but you are looking at this from a different point of view than most. I think that at some point you will see some of this on Linux but most of the world still uses Windows. So they have to offer there services to the most used platform on the desktop that is used in homes today - Windows.
The problem with Linux is that you still do not have an easy way to install apps for everyday users, I can not see them having a clue about building from source and if you said rpm or deb they would think you are talking about cars etc.
So if you look at it from that point of view then you must be able to understand why google have done what they have done. To tell the truth I would sooner see them build for OSX first before Linux and the reason I say that is there are open source program now for Linux that can do the same thing as the google apps.
"The most dangerous creation of any society is that man who has nothing to lose." - James Baldwin, American author
Do you see any desktop linux users?
Mac OS X and Windows XP working side by side to fight back the night.
None of them have data agregation. You are dumb because this is obvious.