Firefox released a 3.0 sneak peek version, and I was happy to get the latest incarnation. I see quite a few UI improvements, and I believe they improved the performance as well. But, I have a big gripe: Why does Firefox come with Google as the default search provider? Second problem: Why doesn’t the list of search providers include Microsoft’s Live search? (see left Figure). 80% of FF money comes from Google. No wonder, FF loves Google!

Google prides on the “Do no evil” motto, and I find it peculiar for Firefox to not include Live search in the first 5 search providers. On the other hand, MS finally left its monopoly practices and allows you to pick your search provider. Live search is not the default search btw! You have to pick one, when you install XP/Vista. Also, Google is one of the top options.

Come on FF, you guys are open source and do the right thing

  1. Let the user select the search provider
  2. Add Live search as one of the options along with other popular search providers like AOL search and Ask.

This actually shows a growing problem in high profile open source projects. Gone are the days when Linux kernel was developed by people who were never paid for the work they were doing. Today, all the high profile open source projects, Linux kernel, KDE, Gnome, Firefox, OpenOffice are funded by many companies. I wonder how many decisions in the kernel are influenced by IBM and Redhat!

ffie

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