Filed under: Internet, Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Mozilla, Open Source
IceWeasel: Firefox, really free
by Jordan Running Oct 10th 2006 at 1:30PM
Firefox is indeed free software, but not in every sense of the word. It's an open source product, but the binaries that they ship contain proprietary plugins and artwork. I'm not too scandalized by this knowledge, but in case your ideological sensibilities are offended, know that you're not alone: IceWeasel is a version of Firefox from the GNU Project that omits all non-free-as-in-speech art and software. It also adds some privacy features including one that guards against "image bugs," i.e. empty images used for user-tracking. If you prefer the full-fledged Mozilla suite, the same site also distributes the Gnuzilla, which exhibits the same principles.[Via Boing Boing]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2009 Mustangs said 3:17PM on 10-10-2006
Has anyone else tried this? What does it look like? Any screen shots? I'd like to download it but I want to make sure others have tried it and it isn't loaded with spyware.
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Qwfwq said 3:28PM on 10-10-2006
@Mustangs
GNU software doesn't usually come with spyware :-)
I think that you will be safe. You'll probably have to compile it from source though - you'll probably do better sticking with Firefox, there's nothing wrong with it, and this whole business with the trademark logo is really a non-issue for the users.
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fuzz said 8:42PM on 10-10-2006
I would love it if someone would compile it for OS X, or at least point me in the right direction. :)
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Thomas said 12:13AM on 10-11-2006
I agree with Mustangs and fuzz. I'd like to see what it looks like and I'd like a Mac version please. :)
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Mysterius said 1:52AM on 10-11-2006
There's not really any point trying to get this out for other platforms... IceWeasel is Firefox, and that's what it'll always be, if the developers are smart. The whole point is to basically have Firefox but without even the light trademark restrictions that Firefox has, so that the Debian (and other similarly minded folks) don't have any qualms about including it in their distribution. Personally, I think the Debian folks are just being stubborn, but it's their work...
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Redux said 5:13AM on 12-29-2006
@Qwfwq & @Mysterius
Now that Firefox is pushing a 20% market share on browser usage, it's owners are complaining about petty things like the usage of logos and other nonsense. Everyone wants to make a buck: firefox is NOT free. It happens to be for sale for zero dollars to end users... FOR NOW... f$x is right around the corner.
Simply the knowledge that Firefox is not 100% free, as well as their refusal to play ball with Debian, makes me want an alternative that is REALLY free. It's the principal of the thing. Plus the Ice Weasel logo is a lot more cute, and it's fun to be different! ^_^
If you build it, they will come... I'm actively looking for a win32 binary. If I find one, I'll be a die hard IceWeasel fan, and theres plenty others out there JUST like me.
FR33 THE C0DE!
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