EpiphanyDefaultBrowser
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This page is an open discussion about whether or not to consider Epiphany as a default browser instead of Firefox. This page has not to be considered before Breezy release, and is aimed at Breezy+1. |
##(see the SpecSpec for an explanation) |
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'''Note''': This page is not endorsed by any Ubuntu developer and is only an open discussion. There is no official plan to replace Firefox by Epiphany. | * '''Launchpad Entry''': https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+spec/foo * '''Created''': [[Date(2006-04-19T13:11:54Z)]] by LionelDricot * '''Contributors''': LionelDricot * '''Packages affected''': |
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== What must be a default browser ? == | == Summary == |
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A default browser must be simple enough and doesn't need a lot of features by default. (to complete) |
This spec is intended to track wheter or not it worth changing the default Ubuntu browser from Firefox to Epiphany and, if yes, what must be improved a/o changed in Epiphany. == Rationale == As we ship GNOME, it seems logical, in order to have a more consistent environement, to ship GNOME browser, namely Epiphany. Having the default GNOME browser would simplify a lot of things in the long run : security, support, translation, desktop integration, artwork. Also, Epiphany is more or less independant of the backend engine. If, in a not so distant future, anyone release another html engine, Epiphany could be ported in order to use it. Given that now Epiphany can be compiled against XUL-runner and that Edgy is all about taking some risks, it's the release to test Epiphany as the default browser. If it's a disaster, we could always back to firefox on Edgy+1 == Use cases == * Arthur is new to computer. His friend installed Ubuntu and he want to "surf the web" like everyone is saying. He look for something named "web browser" that acts like the rest of the desktop. * Zaphod has little Windows experience. He knows that internet is the little blue icon named explorer. His friend, who installed Ubuntu, told him that, in Ubuntu, it's called "browser". Zaphod want his browser as simple and easy as the old explorer. * Marvin is a teenager who like computer. He like to install Firefox on a new Windows. He want to install Firefox on his whole new Ubuntu but he want to do it itself because "Firefox is only for supreme power users like me and I like the feeling of installing it where average users don't even know about it !" == Scope == This spec is only for Ubuntu and all Gnome Ubuntu derivatives. == Design == == Implementation == === Code === === Data preservation and migration === == Outstanding issues == |
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== What think the average Joe user about Epihany or Firefox ? == | == BoF agenda and discussion == |
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Most of average users don't care at all. In fact, they don't see any difference if you ask them. == In favor of Epiphany as the default == * Epiphany is well integrated with the Gnome desktop and follow the global theme and global options (like displaying text beside buttons, Gnome proxy, etc) * Epiphany follows the gnome release schedule * Epiphany's tab handling is better than Firefox's (although this is set to change when Firefox 1.5 arrives, and is improved by some Firefox extensions) * Epiphany has "session saving" built in - which means that if for soe reason it does crash, it will as "do you want to restore you previously open pages" when restarting. There is a Firefox extensions that does this. == In favor of Firefox as the default == * Firefox is well known and "hype" * Firefox has some widely-installed extensions that Epiphany has no equivalent for (yet). The most commonly referred-to one is Adblock - although Epiphany has a plan for an equivalent http://live.gnome.org/Epiphany_2fAdBlockExtension (This is, IMHO, not an argument since it's only a power user tool. You cannot provide by default a browser that alter the web like AdBlock! So, the extension is not to be installed by default and must not be considered, like many extensions, as an argument. Same apply to webdev extension (wich is very cool)) * Having Firefox will help ease transition for users of Windows and MacOS, as Firefox is available on those platforms == General points == * Firefox contains more "power user" features, which could be argued as a good point by both sides. * Firefox supports keywords in the address bar "google something", whereas in Epiphany "keymarks / smart bookmarks" appear as a dropdown menu == Outstanding issues with Epiphany == * Epiphany currently depends on Firefox, so in Firefox must be installed to have Epiphany. This could be dealt with by creating a seperate Gecko package, which Firefox, Epiphany, Galeon, Mozilla, et cetera depend on. == Related Links == * Epiphany-Firefox comparison on Epiphany site http://live.gnome.org/Epiphany_2fFirefoxComparision * "Should Firefox be the default Gnome browser"? http://live.gnome.org/Epiphany_2fFrequentlyAskedQuestions#head-ba622057b4fb0e671c16b6d9868912f8af22bec0 |
A lot of discussions is available here : https://wiki.ubuntu.com/EphiphanyDefaultBrowserThoughts ---- CategorySpec |
Launchpad Entry: https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+spec/foo
Created: Date(2006-04-19T13:11:54Z) by LionelDricot
Contributors: LionelDricot
Packages affected:
Summary
This spec is intended to track wheter or not it worth changing the default Ubuntu browser from Firefox to Epiphany and, if yes, what must be improved a/o changed in Epiphany.
Rationale
As we ship GNOME, it seems logical, in order to have a more consistent environement, to ship GNOME browser, namely Epiphany.
Having the default GNOME browser would simplify a lot of things in the long run : security, support, translation, desktop integration, artwork. Also, Epiphany is more or less independant of the backend engine. If, in a not so distant future, anyone release another html engine, Epiphany could be ported in order to use it.
Given that now Epiphany can be compiled against XUL-runner and that Edgy is all about taking some risks, it's the release to test Epiphany as the default browser. If it's a disaster, we could always back to firefox on Edgy+1
Use cases
- Arthur is new to computer. His friend installed Ubuntu and he want to "surf the web" like everyone is saying. He look for something named "web browser" that acts like the rest of the desktop.
- Zaphod has little Windows experience. He knows that internet is the little blue icon named explorer. His friend, who installed Ubuntu, told him that, in Ubuntu, it's called "browser". Zaphod want his browser as simple and easy as the old explorer.
- Marvin is a teenager who like computer. He like to install Firefox on a new Windows. He want to install Firefox on his whole new Ubuntu but he want to do it itself because "Firefox is only for supreme power users like me and I like the feeling of installing it where average users don't even know about it !"
Scope
This spec is only for Ubuntu and all Gnome Ubuntu derivatives.
Design
Implementation
Code
Data preservation and migration
Outstanding issues
BoF agenda and discussion
A lot of discussions is available here : https://wiki.ubuntu.com/EphiphanyDefaultBrowserThoughts
EpiphanyDefaultBrowser (last edited 2008-08-06 16:20:54 by localhost)