Microsoft Teams for Linux

[Jerry]

On Tue, 12 May 2020 13:35:26 +0200, Maciej Suszko commented:
>On 5/12/20 1:21 PM, Polytropon wrote:
>> On Tue, 12 May 2020 07:11:16 -0400, Jerry wrote:  
>>> It is my understanding that FreeBSD does not support Google Chrome.
>>> That is not Microsoft's fault. That is a failure on the part of
>>> FreeBSD. You should be taking the problem up with them, or perhaps
>>> Google. Whether there is no one willing to maintain the port, or a
>>> systemic failure on the part of FreeBSD is the real question here.  
>> 
>> As Chrome, unlike Chromium, is not distributed in source form
>> (i. e., it is not open source), distribution would only be
>> possible as a binary blob, as for example nVidia does it.
>> The interesting question could be: Why does nVidia provide
>> a binary blob used by the FreeBSD port, and Google does not?
>> You would guess that a graphics driver is much more dependent
>> on bein tied closely both to the OS and to X, whereas a web
>> browser is, more or less, "just" a user application program
>> that should be quite portable.
>> 
>> 
>>   
>>> The bottom line is this in not Microsoft's fault.  
>> 
>> That is correct. Chrome is supported, Chromium is not.
>> And Chrome is not Chromium. And not Firefox.  
>
>What's the difference between Chrome and Chromium that is a stopper for
>Microsoft to support this browser? What's wrong with Firefox that it
>can't be used... or maybe what it lacks?

The answer to that question is quite simple. "The more applications you
support, the more applications you have to support? Google Chrome is
for more commonly used then 'chromium.' A brief description of the
differences is detailed here:
http://www.differencebetween.net/technology/internet/difference-between-chrome-and-chromium/

Microsoft supports its browser and Google Chrome. Promoting a more
diverse assortment of browsers would only result in diminishing returns
on their investment in time, money, and personnel. The fact that they
are openly supporting Google Chrome is a major plus. The fact that it
does not directly help the FreeBSD community is not their problem. This
is a situation that FreeBSD should work out with Google. I honestly
doubt that anyone with real authority in the FreeBSD hierarchy has
attempted to reach out to Google for support. Google decided to base
chrome os on gentoo. Linux has always offered superior device support
as compared to FreeBSD, and apparently, that colored their decision.
Besides, Google was a Linux shop, so why would they want to use a
different OS.

I think it would be great to get Google Chrome on FreeBSD. I HATE
Firefox. However, I don't see that happening anytime soon.

>So we have the situation having two modern browsers mostly useless in
>such web applications.

Such is life in the fast lane. You make your choice and you live with
it. I'll make a request on the MS Teams support forum for support for
Firefox, like I did for FreeBSD, but I doubt that it will catch
traction. Many of my friends have already ditched Firefox for the new
'Edge Dev' or Google Chrome.

-- 
Jerry


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