Author: Steven Ovadia

De-Googling: Chrome

August 20, 2020

Cassidy James Blaede, of elementary (and this interview), has an interesting post about the importance of browser diversification, including browser engines.

The web is at its best when there are multiple independent browser engines; that’s when we get competition and innovation. When there is a single dominant browser engine, the company in control of it dictates what can and can’t be done on the web—and developers only target that engine. If you’re old enough, you may remember us being in this position with Internet Explorer for years.

It’s a compelling point. I use Chromium for privacy, but I could switch to Firefox for my main browser. It’s something that’s going on my to do list!

De-Googling: Chrome | Cassidy’s Blog

The Slack Social Network

August 4, 2020

This is what Slack — and Silicon Valley, generally — failed to understand about Microsoft’s competitive advantage: the company doesn’t win just because it bundles, or because it has a superior ground game. By virtue of doing everything, even if mediocrely, the company is providing a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts, particularly for the non-tech workers that are in fact most of the market.

Lock-in is effective. Microsoft services aren’t great, but are good enough. Because of that it’s often just easier to use them. My colleagues and I are all slowly converging to Microsoft apps because it’s the tool we’re given. So do we use Microsoft because someone pays for it? Or do people pay for Microsoft because people use the tools? I’m not sure, but whatever Microsoft is doing seems to be working.

Also, I do appreciate that Microsoft Teams is available for Linux. I don’t really use it, but it’s cool to see.

The Slack Social Network | Stratchery

What’s New in Thunderbird 78

July 30, 2020

I’m excited to see the integrated calendar, not that installing Lightning is such a big deal. I’m a huge Thunderbird fan, though. The interface is sometimes overly complex, but you can always Google around to do what you need to do.

I’m also wondering when this will hit the Ubuntu repos. I might be a ways off from seeing 78 in action! It sort of reminds me of when Gimp added a single-window mode. I was using Sabayon at the time, so I saw the new interface pretty much instantly. But when I went back to Ubuntu, I didn’t see single-window mode for months. It was like time travel.

What’s New in Thunderbird 78 | The Thunderbird Blog

Linux Impressions

July 28, 2020

On Linux you definitely want to enjoy the freedom to theme and setup your desktop the way you like. The small time effort seems totally worth it to me even if it improves the experience of staring at this screen for hours every day just a little bit.

Another satisfied customer!

Also, ThinkPads are the best.

Linux Impressions | Jorin’s Logbook

Linux team approves new terminology, bans terms like ‘blacklist’ and ‘slave’

July 23, 2020

The move to phase out the master/slave and blacklist/whitelist terminologies came after a proposal filed by Linux kernel maintainer Dan Williams on July 4. Linux creator Linus Torvalds approved the proposal on Friday in a pull request for the Linux 5.8 repository.

I’m very happy to see Torvalds evolving. The community takes its cues from him and his behavior, so his support is important.

Linux team approves new terminology, bans terms like ‘blacklist’ and ‘slave’ | ZDNet

Google blew a ten-year lead.

July 16, 2020

But the lack of innovation is frustrating. The product goals are all over the place. Microsoft has a new clear mission: The Cloud. What’s Google’s clear mission?
It feels like they blew a 10 year lead.

I don’t like Google because of the power they wield, but I agree with Will about their stagnation. It’s been easy for me to avoid their tools and services because there’s nothing super compelling. There are plenty of better alternatives outside of their ecosystem.

Google blew a ten-year lead | Second Breakfast

Linux Mint drops Ubuntu Snap packages

July 14, 2020

The Linux Mint project has made good on previous threats to actively prevent Ubuntu Snap packages from being installed through the APT package-management system without the user’s consent. This move is the result of "major worries" from Linux Mint on Snap’s impact with regard to user choice and software freedom. Ubuntu’s parent company, Canonical, seems open to finding a solution to satisfy the popular distribution’s concerns — but it too has interests to consider.

I just got a new-to-me laptop and was surprised to see that Chromium is only available as a Snap package in Ubuntu 20.04. Even though it’s in the repositories. Like everyone, I use Snaps and Appimages, but it seems less-than-cool to force it on users (Ubuntu says it was so users wouldn’t lose Chromium). I’m curious what Mint will do, given how dependent they are upon Ubuntu.

Also, after a week or so, I’ve had no issues with the Chromium snap, just for the record.

Linux Mint drops Ubuntu Snap packages | LWN.net