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Firefox 23 Makes JavaScript Obligatory

mikejuk writes "It seems that Firefox 23, currently in beta, has removed the option to disable JavaScript. Is this good for programmers and web apps? Why has Mozilla decided that this is the right thing to do? The simple answer is that there is a growing movement to reduce user options that can break applications. The idea is that if you provide lots of user options then users will click them in ways that aren't particularly logical. The result is that users break the browser and then complain that it is broken. For example, there are websites that not only don't work without JavaScript, but they fail in complex ways — ways that worry the end user. Hence, once you remove the disable JavaScript option Firefox suddenly works on a lot of websites. Today there are a lot of programmers of the opinion that if the user has JavaScript off then its their own fault and consuming the page without JavaScript is as silly as trying to consume it without HTML."

4 of 778 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Solution in extensions by dicobalt · · Score: 4, Funny

    If it breaks NoScript I'm going to get a shiny new pitchfork and then visit the people who decided to do this.

  2. Hey, I'm not worried! by Bearhouse · · Score: 1, Funny

    Followed the advice of some kind folks here, updated my HOSTS file, and use IE with BING exclusively!!!
    Also installed the latest Oracle Java with that helpful toolbar thing, it's AWESOME!!!

    Nothing to worry about, rite???

  3. Re:Solution in extensions by Myopic · · Score: 3, Funny

    protip: rusty ones are scarier

  4. Re:why? by PatentMagus · · Score: 3, Funny

    I object to your use of the racially inflammatory word "cracker."

    --
    I am a lawyer, but not yours. Anything I tell you might be a total lie intended to benefit my clients at your expense.