Diversity in browser engines- Keep Gecko alive

[zabadabadoo]

Should this thread actually be in "Feedback" or better in "Chat about Zorin" ?

[Aravisian]

I think Feedback is the best fit - as it primarily seeks to provide feedback to the Zorin OS devs of @piyush's concerns over the default browser. It seeks mitigating action, whereas Chat about Zorin is where users can discuss features, without intent that it escalates to the developers ear.

[Dexxa]

I was also a Firefox fan, but since Zorin started using Brave as its default browser, I've become a fan of Brave. It works perfectly for me. But everyone can and is free to install the browser of their choice on Zorin.
I deleted my Firefox Mozilla account and am currently sticking with Brave. The combination of Zorin OS and Brave works wonderfully.

[ditchingwin]

Does anyone else get the feeling that @piyush is nothing more than an AI bot? The content and style of its writing as well as the spamming of the forums seems to me like we're arguing with a bot.

[Aravisian]

@ditchingwin

Does anyone else get the feeling that @piyush is nothing more than an AI bot?

Yes, this is the common report received. However, plenty of indications show that a person is operating.

This is one stark problem with users using A.I. to translate and format posts.
And it is something I think we need to find a way of addressing - how A.I. is used on the forum in replies.
That is a separate issue, though.

For this thread: Piyush is a person, even if using a tool that alters post content.

[piyush]

"Hey ditchingwin, I'm not a bot! I'm a real person from India. My English is just weak, so I take help from tools to translate my thoughts. Sorry if my posts felt like spam, I'm just excited to learn about Zorin OS."

[piyush]

"Thank you Aravisian for understanding. Yes, I use tools for translation because English is not my first language. I will try to be more careful with my posts. I'm just a new user trying to get help for my PC."

[Aravisian]

@piyush

I'm just a new user trying to get help for my PC.

No problem. What help do you need?

[piyush]

Thanks for the follow-up, Aravisian. Right now, I am looking for a way to run MS Office on my Zorin OS 18 setup, as I really need it for my studies. If you have any suggestions on how to get it working or a good alternative that supports all formats perfectly, let me know. Once I get this sorted, I’ll be all set

[Aravisian]

@piyush

I am looking for a way to run MS Office on my Zorin OS 18 setup, as I really need it for my studies. If you have any suggestions on how to get it working or a good alternative that supports all formats perfectly, let me know. Once I get this sorted, I’ll be all set

And for good reason. That is tricky and the strongest candidate will be alternatives - none of which are perfect. Most are more than good enough.
If you can start a new HelpDesk thread for that in General Help, users can supply their recommendations on good replacements for MS Office.
But running Office on WINE - not so good. Unless WinBoat has something remarkable to offer... For MS Office, the standard currently is dual boot, VM or replacement suite.

[piyush]

Thanks for the detailed advice, Aravisian! I actually tried OnlyOffice and it's working great for me. It handles all my documents perfectly and the interface is very familiar. I'm really happy with it. Thanks again for your support

[0Picass0]

I'm really not happy with Mozilla, although I do sometimes use Firefox, and forks like ZEN, I also use Brave quite a lot too. I like to have multiple browsers at my fingertips.

As I understand it, Brave is built on the Chromium project, which is fully open-source, and so good for users.

I've just done some reading up on what Brave does with Chromium and these are my favourites:

• Proxying communications with Google services through Brave’s own servers.
• Reimplementing sync to be end-to-end encrypted and never touch Google’s servers.
• Disabling background connections to Google entirely.

That they also block attempts to fingerprint my devices, block adverts and trackers, and "...removes or disables privacy-harming components from Chromium, such as Google-specific telemetry, sync services, and APIs like FLoC and Topics" (copied from Brave itself), works for me. The great job that the Zorin brothers did to strip out the stuff most of us objected to was great. There wasn't a lot of choice out there and so Brave was the only browser that fit the bill.

Mozilla needs to shape up and stop alienating its user base, or it will continue to flounder, and eventually cease to exist. I don't think anyone here really wants to see that happen, but until positive changes are made... ... ....