Mozilla Corp. to work more closely with Linux distributors
The browser on Linux is currently in a sad state of affairs. Basically, there is a huge disconnect amongst browser distributors. I'm including the Mozilla Corp. here. There's a different set of patches in various distros, in part due to different release criteria between distros, but also due to different criteria with upstream. The "official" builds support everything under the sun (it has to since it doesn't play distribution favorites) but still has shortcomings. For example, it builds against an old libstdc++ and won't run on newer distros such as Fedora Core 6 or the public betas of RHEL5 without tracking down some old compat libraries. All in all, it kind of sucks.
A few weeks ago, I led a session at the Firefox Summit about how to fix this. With input from various people, notably Mike Connor of the Mozilla Corp. and Robert O'Callahan of Novell, in addition to the other members in the crowd, we managed to get together a plan which I think everyone should be happy about.
The big change is that the distros, Red Hat, Ubuntu, Novell, etc. will now have much more say over what happens with the Linux bits. Key contributors on Linux will start getting more sway. Along with roc, I'll start taking on a bigger role with getting things done upstream and making sure distros are accounted for. This includes making sure we get our patches back upstream, and providing extended support on various branches. For example, Red Hat and Novell are both going to commit some effort into maintaining the Firefox 1.5.0.x line past the current EOL date this spring.
In turn, as more effort is moving into the distro builds, they will start appearing on the download pages. This will require some coordination to do right, but it's a great step I think. Reference builds will still be provided by upstream but they will be less promimently displayed.
Now, some of you may be saying that this solves most Linux issues, but not the Debian issue. I haven't forgotten them. I've also talked to Alexander Sack of Debian, who's put a lot of effort into the Mozilla browsers, about how to make Mozilla upstream be in line with the DFSG and I'm pushing those items back up. So far I've heard positive results, but as all things like this, will take time. Stay tuned for more.
This is a rather short post for now (have to get thru Snowpeak Ruins) and I'll fill in more details when I get some more time to blog. Mike Connor should also be putting some info up on his blog soon, but the message is clear: Linux is becoming more important. Working together with Mozilla, Red Hat, Fedora, and other distributions will bring a better experience to the Linux desktop user.
