Post #4051459

2026-07-24 01:04 UTC

A subtractive approach to browser dev (whether soft or hard fork) can only go so far. Ultimately the root problem, as many noted: 2. "web standards have become obscenely complicated - for various reasons - and developing a browser necessitates larger team efforts which perpetuates more complication." There are two ways to respond to that: attempt to turn the tide (and try to avoid getting swept up in it) or abandon the modern web in favour of something that allows smaller browser to blossom.

Replies (5)

@sarahjamielewis@mastodon.social 2026-07-24 01:09

I have the kind of life and personality that really gets into the latter (I have written at least one gemini/mini web browser, and I will almost certainly write another https://mastodon.social/@sarahjamielewis/112928301142039640) (One of the many reasons I am not the person to manage a general purpose browser project) But I do recognize that while much could be replaced with standalone clients (to the despise of many) it would leave a very big gap between what we have and what is needed.

Open ##4051458
@flyingpenguin@infosec.exchange 2026-07-25 09:39

@sarahjamielewis@mastodon.social my thought was to classify the latter as a matter of sovereignty and get funded like any infrastructure project. schools, libraries, roads, bridges and browsers https://www.flyingpenguin.com/papers-please-who-does-your-browser-engine-actually-belong-to/

Open ##4084792
@kirtai@tech.lgbt 2026-07-24 01:04

@sarahjamielewis@mastodon.social The very concept of "living standard" is an abomination, especially the HTML one.

Open ##4145999
@Brokar@mastodon.social 2026-07-24 01:36

@sarahjamielewis@mastodon.social I find it totally irritating that you basically need to update your browser on a weekly basis because you constantly stumble over websites which don't render correctly because the dev HAD TO implement the latest shit and cutting edge framework. What's wrong with plain HTML and a little CSS? I still remember the days when a browser fit on a 3.5" floppydisk and did every thing you asked for.

Open ##4146000
@codingcoyote@floss.social 2026-07-24 02:27

@sarahjamielewis@mastodon.social personally I don't want a smaller browser, but instead a modular browser. Allow me to turn on and off features and install my own engines for ES, CSS, ad tracking etc. Browser should ship with 1 flavor of all the standard features working within standard interfaces. I feel like it would end up being a bit of a security nightmare, and most people would just use the chrome defaults anyway, but it would allow for enterprises and individuals with specific privacy/security needs.

Open ##4146002