this post was submitted on 09 Jul 2024
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When my problem with Chromium browsers is the fact that they're Chromium browsers it's fair to lump them in. The only complaint I have about Vivaldi other than "Google bad" (which is an unfair reductive statement) is that it isn't open source. But I don't care to try it.
The entire reason Chromium browsers are a problem is because it gives Google way too much power for controlling how the web works. They don't need to seek consensus any longer. They can just make it do whatever. I've even seen people consider it the reference implementation of HTML. It's sickening. Even if your "precious Vivaldi" and other Chromium browsers make tweaks to things it doesn't change the fact that Google was able to make that decision without caring how it works in other browsers because there really aren't other browsers now. Just fucking Chromium.
And for the record, it's extremely unfair to say that Firefox gets funding from Google while pretending Chromium browsers do not. Using foss products made by a company is very similar to getting money from them. Google has put an enormous amount of money into Chromium. Vivaldi uses that. It's like using public infrastructure then bragging that you don't accept money from the government. I genuinely don't care that Firefox gets money from Google because, despite the words you put in my mouth, my problem isn't "Google bad" (though I don't like them, but I don't refuse to use their products). My problem with Chromium is that it has too large of a share of browsers using it.
I think I understand your perspective but lambasting people online for their browser choices is gross. Vivaldi has a respectable privacy oriented mission. Im not telling you to use it. You are telling me not to. Your strategy is inflammatory. Simply disagree that Vivaldi should be "lumped in" with other chromium browsers when they are practically trying to undermine everything that Google is doing with a highly functional browser that has real curb appeal since it can look and feel like chrome but can actually do way more out of the box without adding extensions. If your goal is some higher level martyrdom, sure use librewolf etc. If you want a powerful flexible browser that protects your personal privacy way better than chrome, it's a reasonable choice.
You're right, let's cool things down. This is definitely something I feel strongly about and I've been stressed the past day or so. It's possible some of that anger slipped out in my phrasing.
When I say "Fuck Chromium based browsers" I don't mean to imply something like "Fuck you for using them," even though I do believe you shouldn't use them. It's not that serious. But I see how saying "Fuck the thing you chose" followed by "Don't use that thing" can feel way too aggressive. I'm sorry that it felt like I was attacking you personally. ❤️
As a bystander I just want to applaud you for that awesome display of control and de-escalation. It's too easy to get carried away online and forget that we're all people, way to be better!
For the record I'm also a Vivaldi user mainly because Chromium browsers make work easier for me but I refuse to use Chrome. However, as soon as Firefox fully supports sidebar tabs without an extension or CSS modifications I'm going to try to completely jump aboard.