The Linux Foundation has announced the launch of a new initiative called Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers. This initiative aims to provide financial and developmental support for the open-source projects within the Chromium ecosystem. Major tech companies including Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Opera have already pledged their support for the initiative.
While Google remains the primary steward of Chromium, this initiative aims to broaden participation and prevent over-reliance on a single entity.
But why the Linux Foundation? Google's official announcement states that the company has partnered with the Linux Foundation to manage the fund, specifically due to its long-established practices of open governance, prioritising transparency, inclusivity, and community-driven development.
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What is Chromium?
Chromium is the open-source project that powers many popular web browsers like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Opera.
Google started Chromium, and they still invest heavily in it, paying for things like servers and bug fixes. However, many other companies rely on Chromium for their own browsers.
Why a New Fund?
1. Sustainability
The goal of the Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers is to create a sustainable way to fund Chromium development. This will help to ensure that the project remains healthy and can continue to evolve.
Google highlights that it invests "hundreds of millions of US dollars in annual investment" just for Chromium's upkeep. With the launch of the "Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers" fund, Google might be seeking to share the financial responsibility of maintaining Chromium with other companies who benefit from it.
2. Open Governance and Collaboration
The initiative emphasizes open governance, transparency, and community-driven development. It will be housed under the Linux Foundation, leveraging their established practices for open-source project management.
3. Diversified Funding and Support
The initiative seeks to diversify funding and support for Chromium beyond Google's contributions. This will ensure continued development and innovation within the ecosystem.
4. Industry-wide Collaboration
The initiative brings together major players in the tech industry, including competitors, to support a common platform.
Community Reaction
Some community members in Reddit expressed concerns about Google's existing control over Chromium and whether this initiative will truly lead to a more decentralized governance structure.
Google already has a lot of influence because of Chromium's popularity. They argue that having more companies invest in Chromium could lead to less diversity in the browser market and stifle innovation.
Others are concerned about the impact on Firefox. Firefox is another popular web browser that is not based on Chromium. It's developed by the Mozilla Foundation, a non-profit organization. Some fear that this new initiative could hurt Firefox's funding and development.
It's too early to say what the long-term impact of this new fund will be. In my opinion, it's equally important to support the development of different web browsers, including those that are not based on Chromium.
This will help to ensure that we have a choice in how we access the web and that the web remains open and accessible to everyone.
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