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submitted 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) by mvirts@lemmy.world to c/linux@lemmy.ml

Visit about:compat in your firefox. I find it insane that these exist.

Edit: I've learned that this is part of the webcompat system addon developed by Mozilla and other contributors. I see why this is beneficial default behavior, since FF has no chance of getting enough market share to matter more if things are broken.

However, this behavior is too intrusive for my taste. For example this injection: https://hg.mozilla.org/mozilla-central/file/8a4afb4d34f8/browser/extensions/webcompat/injections/js/bug1472075-bankofamerica.com-ua-change.js is basically just to silence annoying user reports.

Also, Every site FF pretends to be a different UA on is artificially reducing FF market share data.

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[-] mvirts@lemmy.world 3 points 8 months ago

Lol I just happened across it :/ I know there are bigger issues at hand

[-] julianh@lemm.ee 36 points 8 months ago

This isn't even an issue though, its just to fix bugs with certain websites that block Firefox for no reason or have other weird compatibility issues. Which I would think is a good thing?

[-] mvirts@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago

You're right, for a browser meant for the masses it is probably a net benefit. I posted because I was surprised by this hidden behavior that seems better suited for a browser extension. Sneaky behavior like this is what I'm paranoid about in closed software like windows.

To your point, Linux itself is probably the #1 example of hacky patches to work around other people's problems.

[-] d0ntpan1c 19 points 8 months ago

All web browsers have semi hidden pages like this for all sorts of purposes. Its not really intended to be secret, its just not stuff worth even adding to a file menu. Some of the about: pages in firefox are in some submenus, some on settings, but def not all. Tho you'll fimd them mentioned and linked in support guides.

If anything, the ability to access these is better than them being blocked...

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this post was submitted on 05 Oct 2024
19 points (100.0% liked)

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