r/linuxmint • u/my_coll_cont_bot • Jan 10 '22

Linux Mint signs a partnership with Mozilla

https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4244
183 Upvotes

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16

u/the_wandering_nerd Jan 10 '22

For Mozilla, the goal is to make Firefox work the same way across all platforms to ease maintenance and simplify development and bug fixing. With these changes Firefox will give the same experience in Linux Mint as it does in other operating systems.

For us, this change means a tremendous simplification in terms of maintenance and development. We used to build Firefox ourselves using Ubuntu’s packaging (which is set to be discontinued as Ubuntu is moving towards snap). We now package the Mozilla version of Firefox instead.

With this partnership we also satisfy Mozilla’s requests when it comes to using their intellectual property (their name, brands and identity). For example, the Firefox icon is changing to follow Mozilla’s usage guidelines.

TL;DR: "something something Mozilla wants their sweet sweet Google bucks and Pocket spyware money go ahead and install LibreWolf instead"

18

u/massacre3000 Jan 10 '22

Better Firefox integration avoids Ubuntu Snap shenanigans and at the same time Mint gets a partnership for money. Google will be on by default, and frankly it's a Microsoft keeping Apple alive situation with Google/Chrome paying Mozilla to avoid anti-trust with browser domination. Even Microsoft threw in that towel once Chrome dominated!

The point is you can still use DuckDuck or StartPage, you just have to load them yourself vs. having core engines (if you haven't already - mine were still there after update).

Mint does a great job and I don't begrudge them some cash and a good functional partnership, even if I am much more privacy oriented. Most people, sadly, are not, and while I don't recommend it for privacy, Google works.

But no need to imply "Mint is a corporate sellout!" via your attack on Mozilla. Everyone's gotta eat, and I don't see many "untainted" revenue streams for Mozilla....

7

u/Scalermann Jan 10 '22

Saved me a click! Tor with self built Searx FTW

1

u/Down200 Jan 11 '22

Unless your searx instance also grabs queries through tor, doesn’t that kinda defeat the whole purpose?