In most cases, the Web browser included with your
Linux distribution lacks features you’ve come to rely on
— advanced multimedia, Java applets, and more. Here, learn
how to assemble a better browser.
Recently, while ego surfing, I came across a blog entry written by Linux Magazine reader “Lazslo” (http://jusanoi.blogspot.com/2006/11/two-years-ago.html), which referenced an article I wrote back in 2004 titled “Back to the Future” (http://www.linux-mag.com/2004-07/hard_01.html). In that article, I discussed the state of the Linux desktop on the 64-bit processors available at the time, pointing out many parallels to the transition to 32-bit desktops during the 1990’s. I also lamented some of the bonehead decisions that Linux distributions were making at the time concerning the bundling of 64-bit application software.
Well, guess what? It’s over two and a half years later, and little has changed for the better. Linux distributions still install the 64-bit version of the browser by default on 64-bit versions of Linux (which are now in even more frequent use due to the introduction of inexpensive, 64-bit desktop chips such as the Intel Core Duo and the Athlon 64 FX 2), and end-users remain plagued with usability issues on certain sites because an out-of-the-box install omits any number of necessary plug-ins.
This article isn’t a solution to the problem. Rather, it should serve as a wake up call for Linux distributors, since the problems that need to be addressed here are too far-ranging and complicated for this short article. However, since I have to deal with these same exact problems daily, I’ll leave you with a few tips, and probably more than a few more questions. But first,…
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