A place to discuss the news and latest developments on the open-source browser Firefox
Everyone: Mozilla should find new revenue streams in order to become truly independent.
Mozilla: We're open to suggestions
Everyone: …
Mozilla: We're going to explore doing so in an organic method across our products using the methodology that big tech is generating money, but with a Mozilla spin.
Everyone: How dare you!
We're going to explore doing so in an organic method across our products using the methodology that big tech is generating money, but with a Mozilla spin.
Hm yes, the "we're built different so we won't be affected by enshittification" option
that support advertising in clients (Firefox, MDN, Pocket, Fakespot, etc)
Ah, the "Mozilla Spin" is to put fucking ads in Firefox, got it.
If Mozilla is engaging in unethical behavior that publicly violates its own alleged principles, people can point it out.
But sure, here are a few suggestions:
The Ads position:
We’re growing the Mozilla Ads product team, passionate about display advertising in Mozilla products that is privacy-respecting and values-aligned. You will be one of the lead engineers that will craft, build, and be responsible for the core systems, both front-end and back-end, that support advertising in clients (Firefox, MDN, Pocket, Fakespot, etc). You and your team will be the domain guides when it comes to advertising, providing direction and shepherding to various product teams across Mozilla.
Yeaaaah fuck off Mozilla, we don't want Ads.
They Slogan
Why Mozilla?
At Mozilla, we’re serving humanity—by maintaining a safe, open internet—while also helping the individual humans employed here to reach their personal and professional goals. [...]
I guess that's no longer the case then?
When you don't have a business plan you choose ads.
The "I don't care if you go broke, give me what I want" stance I'm seeing online seems short-sighted at best and narcissistic at worst.
I'm pretty sure Mozilla becoming a cheap Google clone is not good long term
As a general stance "People want me to give them free shit. I say gtfo.", I understand you.
That's just not proportional to Mozilla and Firefox. In 2022 they had a total revenue of $595 million¹. That allows them to hire 3305 software developers at a salary of $180.000. Google was responsible for 81% of that revenue¹. If you remove Google and their influence from the equation you're left with $113 millon and Mozilla can then hire 628 software developers. I think that would be more than adequate to maintain a browser.
I'm sure those developers don't need any material like, say, software, or a desk. Or other staff to write those paychecks and resolve disputes. Or give direction. Nor would the company need to host any downloads or other websites.
As long as they keep supporting the framework for Firefox we'll still get working forks like LibreWolf.
Hopefully Ladybird starts picking up more in the next few years...
Wow fucking rip