I know several of our contributors are against google
But should companies be forced to sell parts of themselves ?
Google was built around search engines and browsers, I know now they offer other tools in the form of storage, sheets, docs, maps … a long list.
In the same vain, should microsoft be forced to sell bing search or even edge. Several years ago we had the browser wars and microsoft had to offer the choice.
But google does not force its use, on linux when you install from the distro centre it does offer other searches.
They should be allowed to keep using/marketing it, but should be obliged to open-source it after a suitable period of monopoly to allow development cost recovery.
The pharmaceutical industry works that way. Why not try it with software.
Chromium is the open-source version of Chrome. Some features (just the proprietary features) of Chrome are missing, but it’s 99% the same.
I worry when Google is forced to sell Chrome, as the organization picking it up could make things worse in so many ways. On the other hand, Google’s monopoly needs to be broken, but I’m unsure this is the solution.
I think it would be better if Google were forced to sell Android to another company. The same goes for the Play store and all its attached functions. However, they should be forced to sell that to another competitor. This would break the Google monopoly sufficiently and allow for competition on Android, in my opinion.
I think we wait, rather than force a split or a selloff.
Most powerful organisations shoot themselves in the foot without us needing to attack them.
It would be very easy to make things worse by interfering
If we want to limit profits, use taxation.
Google is owned by alphabet so in principle it could be split. But I ask why.
It’s a successful company and works no problem for me.
I like and use chrome on my Linux boxes also on my tablet and phone.
By default I install chromium for clients as the main browser with chrome as second and Firefox do they have the 3. Perhaps overkill.
But ask them which search engine they prefer as many want the ones that are eco friendly such as ecosa or the ones that plant trees or do something with water.
Most french have no idea the difference between a search engine and a browser… They just say I want Google without knowing they are different things.
All the browsers come with a default search which is easy to change.
Chromium comes with duck duck go if you do nothing. But it does have issues with Gmail if you have multiple emails accounts which is a pain.
Me too.
Their profits can be controlled without interfering with their technology
One thing that may help would be a “Closed Source Tax”… anyone marketing closed source software would pay a Levy, proceeds of which could be used to subsidize open source developers.
I suspect privacy issues push people to want to attack google… what they ought to focus on is deficiencies in the legal system… it is not keeping up with technology
I did read that. I hate to see the need to break up a monopoly. Back when it was Microsoft on the chopping block, I thought they were basically a victim of their own success. Why should a company be penalized because they were successful?
But if we look back at when Ma Bell was broken up in 1984, that seems to have turned out alright. I don’t know that I agree with it in any case. It doesn’t smell right to me, but yet it worked out.
I used to get that a lot with Microsoft. We’d install Windows on a computer for someone and send them home, then they’d call back asking, “Where is my Microsoft?” Of course they meant Microsoft Office. It was all Microsoft to them.
What is Microsoft Office now there are so many versions. I no longer support, offer or install as even i cannot work it out. You buy you rent you use on line with all the apps with just a few …
But the worst is outlook, is it on line, on your computer or just an address. Before there was a light version
Give me libre office or open office any day.
Many dont know the difference between gmail and google and if they can get the mail through firefox.