The Demise of Mozilla

I am very unhappy to learn that Mozilla has reached the end of the line. I really don't understand why, because I was under the impression, maybe an incorrect one, that the browser portion of Mozilla was Firefox--and if that is the case why can't the mail portion of Mozilla simply be combined with Firefox? Isn't it better to have an integrated product rather than separate ones? Perhaps one of the developers could clue us in about this?
It also occurred to me that perhaps the Mozilla developers only have enough money to keep a couple of things up to date. Have they ever thought of getting some corporate sponsorship. Perhaps IBM will help out or Verizon?
Anyway, these are a few of my thoughts. Would like to hear from others

 

Mozilla's engine will live on in future releases of Netscape. The Mozilla people are concentrating on Firefox and Thunderbird from now on.

 

Actually I prefer the separate apps. If I am in FF, I can click tool>read mail and TBird opens. If I am in TBird, I can click on a URL in the mail and FF opens to the page. When there is an update/fix in one I don't have to fool with the other to install the newest build.

I think there were some differences in the use/features between FF and Mozilla but I don't remember what they were.

I am a firm believer in the old saw "put all your eggs in one basket and guard that basket ". I would like to see the developers put all energy into one program and make it as good as possible.

My 2 cents....

 

ackerberg,

I think that it is very sad that Mozilla.org has made the decision to cease official updates of the Mozilla browser. My first thought was, how will this effect Firefox? Even though I no longer use the Mozilla suite, I think that it is an excellent application. From what I've read, it appears that keeping up with the Mozilla suite, in addition to Firefox, and Thunderbird, is more than Mozilla can handle...

There is a new Article on MozillaZine today, which I think will bring some very interesting comments:

Friday March 11th, 2005

eWeek's Vaughan-Nichols on Yesterday's Developments

Ramona

 

Very interesting and sobering reading, Ramona. I fear that IE 7 will steam-roll FF when it makes its appearance. As for "rotting from the inside out "... I don't know. Why won't AOL spend some money? Google? Can't Mozilla interest some other party (i.e. IBM, Sun, ??) in purchasing the browser and then properly funding it? I may be forced to start using Opera again. Sheesh!

 

James,

AOL pledged $2 million to The Mozilla Foundation, which was expected to expand on the efforts of mozilla.org. Where that is now, I know not. As I read on another Forum, by someone I know and trust:

I believe that's defined as "progress ". It's really hard to give up something you are familiar with, and embrace the unknown. I personally enjoy the challenge of Firefox and Thunderbird, and am trying to soak up knowledge on a daily basis. Believe me, I have loads to learn...

There are some pretty strong rumors some time ago re: IBM, but that soon died down. I would hope that The Mozilla Foundation does attract some lucrative funding, but it's a wait and see situation.

Ramona

 

Uh, you don't think they're going to stop making Firefox or anything do you? I'd be very sad if they did.

 

I know nothing about Netscape, Mozilla, FF or TBird ( at least the newer versions ). So I have No Comment as to whether they are good or not.

But one thing I do know ( at least think )

Software developers should be asked ( made ) to stop adding various things like Netscape ( and other stuff ) into their DEFAULT install.

Why do I say this you may ask ? Very good question.

I say it because I found a NETSCAPE folder on this machine the other day and NO IDEA where it came from. Or really even how long it has been there. It could have come from a software install or even somewhere online. ( I do mess up at times )

I do like it when a software install comes up with the message " This Requires Such & Such. Do you wish to continue ? " If I do continue and something gets installed that I do not like then it is my fault.

In short. " Let Ol' BillyBob here be the one who chooses what gets installed on his machine. "

BillyBob

 

How do you think IE/OE got onto your machine?

 

Good Question.

Answer; Via Microsoft Windows.

But there is a difference I believe. I know and/or expect them to be there.

And also I have ( or used to anyway ) A CHOICE of installing them or not.

I am not saying that different things should not be packed with 3rd party Software.

Just do not install it by DEFAULT. Give me as the USER a choice.

And that goes for MICROSOFT also.

BillyBob

 

A note on large companies in support of Mozilla, at this point Novell advocates the use of FF in all of their open source and Linux enviroments. Whether they will put any money in the pot I don't know, but I I do know they use it and recomend it.

 

Someone mentioned in "another" forum the challenge... no... the Achilles heel of Mozilla - it's "open source" nature. Their reasoning was like this: those who are writing extensions (in particular) and themes are constantly changing the nature of the browser and as the browser develops, these extensions break... new bugs are created and we're sort of back to square one. He argued for greater central control over all of these additions. This is what makes me wonder about the imminent appearance of IE 7: whether it will, in fact, crush FF's efforts since there is greater centralized control over the workings of the browser and this will certainly be seen by businesses as a safer route.

Yes... I know that IE has a bad track record but I don't think we can assume that a powerful giant like MS is just sleeping at the wheel in this regard. I'm sure that FF's increasing popularity is wakening the giant before its time and we're all in for a major surprise in a few months. THAT is what could bring about the premature demise of FF (not death... but certainly demise).

 

Demise = death. American Heritage Dictionary of The English Language, third edition.

 

Well... I'm not really that anal about exactitude in word definitions, Jim. Since I didn't quite make myself clear, although I thought it was self-evident, let me restate it. I believe that FF will "decline" as the newer version of IE makes its appearance. I also believe that what is perceived as its strength (it being open source) is also its built-in weakness. My reasons for feeling this way are contained in the previous message. Did you really not understand what I was driving at... really?

 

I disagree. IE will get a little safer & will continue to decline. PC ownership growth is geared to the Third World & they actually learn more about choices & aren't tied to MS; in the US, PC sales are replacements or children, & the children know Firefox from each other. Firefox will continue growth by word of mouth in person & on the web.

While IE isn't open open source (you know what I mean), it is like open source to malware writers.

You do raise 1 point that ties in to a previous question I asked & never received an answer to anyplace (& I'd like to hear many folks thoughts on). How do you know which Extensions & Themes to trust? Does the Moz Extension Room check everything? Absolutely not. Does the Extension Mirror check everything? Only limited. What about Extensions that update automatically or by User choice from the Developer's or other site? What about Developers who have more Extensions on their site than at the Moz site? What about Extensions that 'need' updates or get vastly improved & it often takes a long time till the new version is anywhere except the Developer site. (Same questions all apply to themes).

Is there any history of an Extension or Theme containing malware (other than changing your default search engine but telling you in advance IF you read the details before downloading)? I haven't heard of any, but I'm not saying / claiming at all that means there weren't any. Anyone know?

There are intelligent good folks in this Forum. I'd value your thoughts on this. Thanks.

 

Yes, I think the rise of Linux will equal the rise of Mozilla

 

Jim

I think I owe you an apology for coming on a bit strong. Please forgive me.

Marklet: I truly hope you're correct in your assessment. I'm not trying to be a doomsday naysayer. I'd like nothing better than for Mozilla to continue to grow stronger and more and more popular.

 

James ...

Not at all ... the fault was mine. I'd have replied sooner, but I was away over the weekend.

 

Hi James,

"Marklet: I truly hope you're correct in your assessment. I'm not trying to be a doomsday naysayer ". I know you weren't & I respect your view.

 

I'm glad you asked

My main concern about Mozilla Firefox is with the casual way many users find and install extensions.

This MozillaZine thread from last year includes an example of just such a malicious XPI and lots more information:
http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=64341
Site(s) try to install malicious XPI when I visit them

Firefox 1.0 added some security to the XPI install process by adding a "whitelist" of safe sites (the user can add additional sites to the whitelist in preferences) .... See http://plugindoc.mozdev.org/faqs/xpinstall.html and https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=240552 .....

That helps in preventing casual installs from webpages, but it won't block installs by unsuspecting users of unsafe or downright malicious code masquerading as desirable extensions . Sites now tell you to download the XPI file and then open it from within Firefox, which bypasses the whitelist.

Mozilla needs to come up with a better system for incorporating wanted browser features as optional installation package components, instead of depending on free-lance Extension writers.