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Google & Firefox's Relationship

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the you-may-kiss-the-browser dept.

sebFlyte writes "More news from FOSDEM, this time about the depth of support for Firefox from Google. According to this article on ZDNet, Firefox' growth and Mozilla's staffing costs have been underpinned by the Foundation's tie-ins with Google, but they promise not to go the same way as Netscape by selling 'every bookmark and link'... and don't forget that the lead programmer (among others) is directly in Google's employ."

2 of 392 comments (clear)

  1. Clarifications by Gerv · · Score: 5, Informative

    Just to clarify: Google is just one of several search partners we have at the Mozilla Foundation, although (as is fairly evident from looking at the software) it is currently the one we have the closest ties with, by virtue of them hosting the home page.

    "Keeping the wolf from the door" is a bit too strong - we are establishing good relationships with a number of companies, all of whom are supporting the Foundation in different ways. My comments were merely intended to say that the Foundation is not going anywhere - we'll be around for the forseeable future.

    One further clarification: Firefox localisations can change to use a localised version of Google; they are not kept to using the en-US version, as the article implies.

    Gerv
    (the speaker on whose comments the article is based)

  2. Competition would be GOOD ... if there were some by SgtChaireBourne · · Score: 5, Informative
    Microsoft doesn't have to build a better browser. It just has to build one that's good enough.
    Not even that. It just has to provide it pre-installed on every x86 machine sold, or include it as part of a 'service pack' or 'seccurity' upgrade. Or it can cajole so-called computer secuirty public service announcements to neglect to mention other options.

    Firefox is still doing well despite the fact that users have to take three non-passive actions: 1 ) actively seek it out and 2) download it and 3) install it. Also, large installations are reluctant to draw attention to themselves for fear of reprisal in the form of increased MS fees and such. There are, however, ways to hide from MS.

    --
    Beta is broken and the link to classic doesn't work. Stop wasting our time or there won't be anybody left here.