Mozilla Asks for License Integration into Ubuntu
Before Ubuntu users can run the Firefox open source browser, they will henceforth need to accept extensive licensing terms. According to Mark Shuttleworth, the terms were imposed by Mozilla Corporation.
Users of the next Linux version, Intrepid Ibex, will be greeted with a Mozilla End-User License Agreement (EULA) when they open the browser.
In a mailing list, users first declared this license behavior to be a bug and the agreement to be “largely irrelevant to Ubuntu users.” Ubuntu founder Shuttleworththen quickly jumped in to explain: “Mozilla Corporation asked that this be added in order for us to continue to call the browser Firefox.” Not that Shuttleworth is happy with the decision, which he feels does not constitute a “best practice” for users: “It's unfortunate that Mozilla feels this is absolutely necessary.”
Mozilla opened a fierce debate with this demand targeting the popular distribution, with annoyed responses from countless sources. Some users took the imposed EULA to mean that Mozilla’s Firefox is no longer free software. Several even suggested to “take a cue” from Debian and change to Iceweasel/Icedove as the default browser; others voted for the Gnome Epiphany browser.
Only a few users showed understanding for the licensing decision and considered it customary. For example, Vadim Peretokin commented: “Seeing an EULA the first time you launch a browser might be a bit odd to new users, it's not such a huge usability problem. People are used to it.”
Issue 259/2022
Buy this issue as a PDF
News
-
Titan Linux is a New KDE Linux Based on Debian Stable
Titan Linux is a new Debian-based Linux distribution that features the KDE Plasma desktop with a focus on usability and performance.
-
Danielle Foré Has an Update for elementary OS 7
Now that Ubuntu 22.04 has been released, the team behind elementary OS is preparing for the upcoming 7.0 release.
-
Linux New Media Launches Open Source JobHub
New job website focuses on connecting technical and non-technical professionals with organizations in open source.
-
Ubuntu Cinnamon 22.04 Now Available
Ubuntu Cinnamon 22.04 has been released with all the additions from upstream as well as other features and improvements.
-
Pop!_OS 22.04 Has Officially Been Released
From the makers of some of the finest Linux-powered desktop and laptop computers on the market comes the latest version of their Ubuntu-based distribution, Pop!_OS 22.04.
-
Star Labs Unveils a New Small Format Linux PC
The Byte Mk I is an AMD-powered mini Linux PC with Coreboot support and plenty of power.
-
MX Linux Verison 21.1 “Wildflower” Now Available
The latest release of the systemd-less MX Linux is now ready for public consumption.
-
Microsoft Expands Their Windows Subsystem for Linux Offerings With AlmaLinux
Anyone who works with Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) will now find a new addition to the available distributions, one that’s become the front-runner replacement for CentOS.
-
Debian 11.3 Released wIth Numerous Bug and Security Fixes
The latest point release for Debian Bullseye is now available with some very important updates.
-
The First Alpha of Asahi Linux is Available
Asahi Linux is the first distribution to fully support Apple Silicon and is now available for testing.