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diff --git a/content/blog/2024/ladybird-inc.md b/content/blog/2024/ladybird-inc.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000..c5d219da --- /dev/null +++ b/content/blog/2024/ladybird-inc.md @@ -0,0 +1,65 @@ ++++ +title = "Ladybird is a thing now" +author = ["Michał Sapka"] +date = 2024-07-03T16:36:00+02:00 +categories = ["blog"] +draft = false +weight = 2001 +image_dir = "blog/images" +image_max_width = 600 +abstract = "I am cautionary optimistic" ++++ + +**This is not a post about social issues. Those are a thing for different time** + +[Just a few days ago](/blog/2024/leaving-firefix-behind/) I published a post about me leaving Firefox behind. +One of the alternatives I've mentioned was [Ladybird.](https://ladybird.org/) +And a lot has changed since then. + +Ladybird started as a part of Serenity OS, but recently the main dev left the OS part and decided to fully focus on the browser. +And now he has a million dollars secured for development. +He even hired (HIRED!) full-time developers. +Hell has frozen over; there is a viable way out of Mozilla/Google duopoly. +I _am_ excited, but there are three things that makes me worry. +It's not that they have money, or that the money comes from a billionaire. +They are attacking a moving target, and Google can break the web faster than the can try to fix it. +Any help is welcome. + +But they use Discord! +And Microsoft GitHub! +Ladybird is to be the viable alternative to things breaking the web, but they have decided that using the same forces is OK? +And even ignoring ethics, having all knowledge in a Discord is a risky game. +I can find solutions to a million issues in BSD because they use mailing lists—a medium that is open, resilient, and publicly searchable. +None of this applies to Discord. + +But hey, Microsoft GitHub is the standard, right? +I'd love if they used a suitable alternative, but it's the easiest way for folks to participate. +Every developer has a Microsoft GitHub account, so why not? + +Well, just _forcing_ people to pass their private data to Microsoft and Discord is a huge red flag. +Tracking business is web's biggest problem, and _not_ using a browser made for AD targeting is one of the reasons I'll try Ladybird on day 1. +But to participate in the community, one needs to feed that machine? + +Furthermore, their new web page is pretty terrible. +It looks like every startup hungry for more VC bucks. +They even have a new, forgettable logo. +Pretty considerable downgrade if you ask me. + +{{< image class="centered" alt="A blue, minimalist on the left. An ladybird on top shaded earth on the right." file="ladybird-new-old.png" >}} +New, boring to the left. +Cool, classic to the right. +{{< /image >}} + +And they used a GenAI picture on their site. +You can find a free picture of a generic laptop within 15 mins, but someone decided that it has to be GenAI? + +And this raises more questions for me. +Serenity OS has a policy of zero external dependencies. +Ladybird project has no such policy, so they will use 3rd party code. +Will it GenAI it? +If so — I'm out. +The moment someone mentions that Ladybird uses Microsoft Copilot anything, I'm removing all interest in the project. +Browser is too complex, too important tool to be full of bullshit code. + +But for now, I am optimistic. +I'll follow the development (well, the part outside closed Discord) and I'll happily use it. |