Mozilla is the open-source company that gave us the Firefox browser, the one that I use and recommend. Mozilla has a long history, which I just brushed up on using Wikepedia, being curious myself. But for our purposes here, just consider it the Firefox company. Even after reading about it on Wikipedia, I have no idea how it makes its money or stays in business. Suffice it to say that it exists, and it is influential in the software world, where prestige means a lot.
The relationship between Mozilla and Google has never been clear. Google is a strong supporter of open source software, has some of the best brains in the business, but also has keen business instincts. Initially, they were in bed together, let's put it that way. But lately, as in many love affairs, the relationship has soured. Especially when Google introduced its own browser, Chrome. Evidently, Google no longer includes Mozilla in its business plans - which are, briefly, to take the software market away from Microsoft.
Recently, the head of Mozilla, Asa Doltzler, fired a shot over Google's bow, urging their users to use the Microsoft's Bing search engine - because it has better privacy provisions. This is a sticky issue, but I suspect he is right.
Will I switch? No. Using Google is too easy for me, even tho I do not like their privacy policies. Mozilla is doing us a favor by helping to keep Google in line - and we do need protection from the newest bully on the block.
Recent Comments