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Why isn't Mozilla Corporation getting smarter?
Firefox was once the most popular browser in the world, but then Mozilla started releasing updates every week and became disgusting. Now Mozilla has a tiny piece of the market, they have essentially lost almost everything, but they continue to shit with updates like diarrhea, which most users do not need and it's impossible to refuse the annoying, ugly constant reminder about updates. I'm not even talking about the fact that after a refusal to update to a new version, there is a forced update to a new version without permission. So, why doesn't this company learn from its mistakes and become at least a little smarter?
All Replies (7)
I'm afraid I agree with you.
For all that Mozzila makes so much of being "Not for profit" it acts like the big boys in pushing the software they think people should have rather what they themselves want and messing about with presentation over functionality.
Back in the old days it was more like a collection of enthusiasts working for the common good and having fun at the same time, eg the "Here by Dragons" warning on about:config. They were happy to dump most of these peoples efforts when version 57 came out yet other forks manage to use both old and new technologies so it shows it's possible.
I use it because it still suits me better than Chromium derivatives but how long it will be before things like custom CSS and about:config are killed off, or reduced to being near-useless, is a matter of concern.
I remember reading about some update, when they really got on my nerves with their notifications. They fixed some bug for some printer brand on the network blah blah blah. And everyone has to update! So decided some "smart" boss who probably has a bigger salary than in commercial organizations, and he, so smart, doesn't care that 99.99% of users don't care about this update.
The forum reports that you posted your question using Google Chrome.
What version of Firefox are you using? Have you considered switching to the Extended Support Release so you only get major updates about once a year (with security patches in between)? The following article has more information: Choosing a Firefox update channel.
To migrate your data between the regular release and ESR, you can sync your data to your Mozilla Account.
Well yes, after you forcibly updated to version 127.0, I repeat once again, you updated the browser without my permission and when I refused to update, I started using Iridium Browse on the Chrome engine.
You know, it was a long time ago, but it was when I was the only one in the company who had your browser. Everyone asked me why? I answered, I like it. Many years passed after that, I decided to try your browser again and everything became even worse. Your products have lost all meaning and competitive advantages.
Trumpeldorf said
Firefox was once the most popular browser in the world, but then Mozilla started releasing updates every week and became disgusting. Now Mozilla has a tiny piece of the market, they have essentially lost almost everything,
Best case there are only the major versions updates. The updates in between are for security and or stability fixes if warranted and could not wait till the next version update.
People have certainly complained about frequent updates with the Chrome and Chromium browsers. It does not help that Firefox (and SeaMonkey) is about the only web browser that is not Chrome or Chromium based. I remember with Chrome early on, Google made mentions of Chrome in your face when you used the Google sites though many users trying it disliked Chrome compared to Firefox overall. Just because people use Chrome/Chromium based browsers does not mean it is the better or more liked web browser, they just may not know better.
Other major web browsers chose to be lazy and downgraded to using Blink for their browser engine. Microsoft for example chose to downgrade from their own EdgeHTML engine to using Blink instead of Gecko for the browser engine of their Edge web browser on desktop and Android. Opera was using Presto browser engine for a long time until they downgraded to using Blink in 2013 as their engine. If Microsoft and Opera chose to use Gecko then Firefox would have a larger share of the market.
Anyways you can blame the frequent version updates with Chrome/chromium as to why Mozilla decided to have more frequent updates in last years with Firefox.
If you want to have longer term stability then perhaps you can use the Extended Support Release or ESR channel versions as the updates are only for security and allowed stability fixes. They are meant more for Enterprise users in mind who want longer term stability though regular users can still download and use them. https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/#product-desktop-esr though change it from 115.14.0esr to 128.1.0esr as the older 115 ESR is almost to an end in support as 115.15.0esr in early September is the last planned update unless Mozilla decides to extend support.
One thing Mozilla has been good with compared to the other major web browsers is the longer term support of EOL OS's.
Currently Mozilla is still supporting the EOL Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and macOS 10.12, 10.13, 10.14 with Firefox 115 ESR. Pretty much every other major web browser dropped supporting these OS's back in Jan/Feb of last year. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-users-windows-7-8-and-81-moving-extended-support https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-users-macos-1012-1013-1014-moving-to-extended-support
Mozilla did the same with WinXP and Vista with Firefox 52 ESR as the last update 52.9.0esr was June 26, 2018, yet Chrome/Chromium dropped support a lot earlier back in April 2016.
I accept the need for frequent updates to something like a browser as the internet is constantly changing and have no problem with things "under the hood" that I'm not aware of.
All software companies should recall that people use their products because they do what they want how they want, or as close to it as possible, but they still can't resist mending what isn't broken. Of course commercial outfits have to have new 'improved' products to sell but that shouldn't apply to a "Not for profit" organisation.
It would be better if when Firefox introduced new 'features' they defaulted to Off on updates with information in the What's New page saying what they are and how to switch them on if desired. As it is updates often cause obnoxious behaviour, like pop-ups when hovering over a tab, that the user has to find how to switch off.
At least currently they CAN be switched off in Firefox. It was Google's shoving unwanted junk down my throat and depriving me of functions I wanted that converted me to being a full-time Firefox user.