this post was submitted on 19 Aug 2024
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Projects To Watch Out For: Ladybird Browser (ladybird.org)
submitted 3 months ago by BaumGeist@lemmy.ml to c/linux@lemmy.ml
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Finally, another web engine is being developed to compete with Chromium and Firefox (Gecko), and they're also working on a browser that will use it.

Here's the maintainer talking about the current state of the project, and a demo of the current functionality

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[–] rekabis@lemmy.ca 10 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (4 children)

We don't have anyone actively working on Windows support, and there are considerable changes required to make it work well outside a Unix-like environment.

We would like to do Windows eventually, but it's not a priority at the moment.

This is how you make “critical mass” adoption that much more difficult.

As much as I love Linux, if you are creating a program to be used by everyone and anyone, you achieve adoption inertia and public consciousness penetration by focusing on the largest platform first. And at 72% market share, that would be Windows.

I hope this initiative works. I really do. But intentionally ignoring three-quarters of the market is tantamount to breaking at least one leg before the starting gate even opens. This browser is likely to be relegated to being a highly niche and special-interest-only browser with minuscule adoption numbers, which means it will be virtually ignored by web developers and web policy makers.

[–] x00z@lemmy.world 4 points 3 months ago (2 children)

We would like to do Windows eventually, but it’s not a priority at the moment.

intentionally ignoring

I think you just read what you wanted to read don't you think?

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[–] ben_dover@lemmy.ml 8 points 3 months ago (3 children)

i'd like to see a revival of webkit and an open source browser that uses it

[–] LeFantome@programming.dev 7 points 3 months ago (3 children)

Doesn’t Safari still use WebKit?

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[–] geolaw@lemmygrad.ml 6 points 3 months ago (5 children)

I feel like this is a dumb question but why do web engines need constant development? I thought we had an established standard for HTML. Once a web engine matches that standard isn't that sufficient?

[–] utopiah@lemmy.ml 4 points 3 months ago

Some of the new features most people aren't aware of us that I used recently :

  • WebXR, make a Web page immersive and work in the browser of VR/AR headsets, e.g Meta Quest, Lynx XR1, Apple Vision Pro, etc
  • WebBlueTooth, connect to a BT device, e.g a Lego controller in order to move actuator, data from sensors, etc
  • WebUSB, connect a device and update its firmware, e.g SmartWatch, mechanical keyboard, etc
  • GamePad API, use a gamepad or joystick to play from a browser window
  • Realms in JavaScript for "better" sandboxing, it's a relatively new feature of the language so the engine must be updated

So... sure none of that really helps to read a 2D Web page (like this one on Lemmy) but they pretty much all help to achieve better cross-platform support. By using the Web rather than native to connect to hardware then it is instantly delivered without having any OS specific driver to build and install. Practically speaking it does make the browser increasingly complex but IMHO it is worth it.

PS: I probably also used some modern CSS so there also the engine (which is ridiculously complex by the way) has to be updated too.

[–] Bitrot@lemmy.sdf.org 4 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

HTML used to be a pretty set standard, maintained by the W3C. HTML5 was retired in 2018 (5.2 in 2021). Now it is a Living Standard that changes often and is maintained by a consortium of browser vendors.

It is also not the only technology being changed.

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