Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Ubuntu Developers Revisit Replacing Firefox With Chromium

Posted by Unknown on from the but-firefox-has-a-cooler-logo dept.

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.

3 of 153 comments (clear)

  1. Irrelevant? by Luthair · · Score: 4, Interesting

    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.

  2. Why so much bloat Firefox??? by duckgod · · Score: 5, Interesting

    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.

  3. Re:Well... this is going to be awkward... by ericcc65 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    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