Boot To Gecko – Mozilla's Web-Based OS

kai_hiwatari writes "Mozilla has launched a new project called 'Boot to Gecko.' The aim of this project is to develop a complete operating system for the open web. Unlike Google's version of a web-based OS — the Chrome OS — Mozilla's version is not aimed at netbooks. With Boot to Gecko, Mozilla is aiming for smartphones – and Android forms a part of their plan."

Comments

"Old" :P

[IB4Student]

Reminds me of this: http://www.xpud.org/

Cart before the horse???

[brunes69]

Maybe Mozilla should focus on making a useable Android browser, before trying to re-invent the OS.... Firefox for Android is abhorrent compared to the built-in Webkit browser.

I have an idea.

[Elbereth]

How about just going back to making a good desktop browser? I don't want a Mozilla operating system, some sort of "open web experience", a smartphone browser, or anything else that Mozilla is peddling these days. I want a browser that's dedicated to desktop computers, with a UI designed for a big, desktop monitor (not a netbook or a tablet), and I want the browser to render HTML. I don't need a database in my URL bar; a radical, new UI; an integrated PDF viewer, implemented in Javascript; Harry Potter themes for my browser; or anything else that Mozilla has been advertising (except for the faster Javascript performance, which is pretty nice).

All I want is a web browser. I feel like a throw-back, someone who doesn't belong in today's world, full of ideologically-driven features, heavy-handed developers who tell me how to get my work done (rather than giving me a product that allows me to get the work done the way I want), constant buzz words, and marketing. People keep telling me how fast the web is moving, how fast IT is moving, and all I see are people chasing trends, fads, and buzzwords. That's fine for corporate culture, but when you just want to open your web browser and render some HTML, the last thing you want is to be assaulted with this crap. It's time for someone to make a browser that does nothing but render HTML. And don't suggest Opera, because I certainly don't need a bittorrent client in my browser.

And why the hell is Mozilla experimenting with all these ridiculous things, like low power servers? For fuck's sake, all I want from them is a browser, not a R&D department that makes the world a better place.

Thank you and get off my lawn.

Re:I have an idea.

[derGoldstein]

I'm using Firefox 5.0 right now, and it's probably the best browser they've made thus far. They're already working on future versions. If they feel they can develop additional software that's adjacent (or possibly contains overlapping code) to the browser, then why not? If their function, in your eyes, is to make a good desktop browser, then you should be pleased. Just ignore everything else they do if you find it distracting.

Re:I have an idea.

[kangsterizer]

You gotta realize that with the Smartphones outselling computers, if Mozilla doesn't get into mobile web browsers (and yes, Firefox mobile for Android needs A LOT OF WORK), then they won't have a say in the open web one day.

The things Mozilla work on are far from ridiculous as well. All these things have one point in common: they are made as a try to secure the open, free internet. That's what they do and that's what they always have aimed for.

Now then again I would like if Firefox issues would be fixed as well - although I don't mind the JS PDF, awesome bar, and new UI. Not caring for personalities either however.

Re:I have an idea.

[jlebar]

It's time for someone to make a browser that does nothing but render HTML.

You wouldn't have been able to share this insight on Slashdot in such a browser, you know...

Seriously, I'm looking forward to the day when someone posts a story on Slashdot about a Mozilla project, and everyone doesn't instantly complain that we're doing X or Y instead of making teh awesomest stripped-down browser, which does nothing but send http requests and display unrendered HTML.

In the meantime, Firefox 1.0 is still available for download. I encourage you to try it out if you're dissatisfied with the direction we've taken recently.

Re:I have an idea.

[BZ]

Making the world a better place is Mozilla's primary goal. The browser is a means to that end.

Re:Seriously ... this "browser OS" thing is old...

[jonwil]

It would be more accurate to say it has a browser based shell.

Re:"Android Apps will not run..."

[BZ]

The "yet another platform" in this case is the web. So it's not a matter of porting as much as just being able to write web apps that compete with native apps in ways that they can't right now.

So easy

[rossdee]

a caveman could do it

Does it also save you 15% on car insurance?

Re:Moving beyond core competency

[kbrosnan]

This is not about making more money. Mozilla is not driven by that economic model. Mozilla sees the walled gardens of the current crop of smartphone and similar devices operating systems as a threat to personal freedom and the heath of the internet. This project is an exploration partly to see what technical gaps exist that web application needs access to function in a similar manner to a desktop application.

There are already companies and working groups trying to accomplish this. Rather than have the specs written without any exploratory work. Mozilla is proposing to build out B2G to evaluate where those problems and shortfalls are. To me this seems like a better idea than having device manufacturers who want to expose the world. Is the user on 4g, wifi, what is the access point name, what is the user paying per kb, etc.? Or having working groups building out a spec absent of actual web developers.