Me too, but we are few. Google paid $585M in 2024. I don't think Mozilla can get 58 million users to pay $10 each. That might even exceed the FF user base. Even if they could, they would use it as extra money, not to get rid of Google.
What exactly is the problem? I understand a browser is a complex program but is the claim it is impossible to build a browser without continual dependence on advertising toxic dollars?
A browser in the class of Firefox or Chrome is for all intents and purposes a full OS constantly exposed to the world.
I understand open source OS development to be sustainable thanks to the the effort put into the server farms. That doesn't work for client side software, with the additional hurdle of needing to be better than the ad funded browser.
That's because browsers should be free. They are infrastructure, just like bridges. And nobody wants a bridge troll sitting on the single bridge crossing the internet river, demanding money from everyone.
Yeah, if everyone gave $10, that would get them at least $50.
There's dozens of us ! So 120$ should be pretty realistic.
LOL
(and I love ff)
Me too, but we are few. Google paid $585M in 2024. I don't think Mozilla can get 58 million users to pay $10 each. That might even exceed the FF user base. Even if they could, they would use it as extra money, not to get rid of Google.
has any browser ever made that work? Opera has to be the most popular by a mile and even they couldn't keep that business model going
Not in my knowledge. It would be hard to have the same amount of funding as they have now from Google.
especially when you pay your executives 7 figure salaries
What exactly is the problem? I understand a browser is a complex program but is the claim it is impossible to build a browser without continual dependence on advertising toxic dollars?
> a browser is a complex program
A browser in the class of Firefox or Chrome is for all intents and purposes a full OS constantly exposed to the world.
I understand open source OS development to be sustainable thanks to the the effort put into the server farms. That doesn't work for client side software, with the additional hurdle of needing to be better than the ad funded browser.
1 reply →
Orion (by Kagi) is still new, but seems to be trying.
Orion is webkit-based though, not a whole independent browser like FFox.
People just expect browsers to be free. And there's no way that can be more than Google money.
That's because browsers should be free. They are infrastructure, just like bridges. And nobody wants a bridge troll sitting on the single bridge crossing the internet river, demanding money from everyone.
6 replies →
If only we could open source it and load it onto the phone with Sideloadly.
... if only their donation links would let you specify your donation goes to Firefox development and no other mozilla service ...