Click to enlarge
Posted on 10/22/2020 7:25:57 AM PDT by dayglored
One question: Why Redmond, why? Ah, you need to meet developers wherever they are...
Microsoft has delivered on its threat to inflict Chromium Edge on Linux. Completist tendencies aside, one would be forgiven for wondering, "Why?"
Click to enlarge
Edge on Linux had been lurking behind the bushes before its announcement at September's Build event. Indeed, Microsoft insiders had whispered to us that it had been running for a while, but booting it out of the door was not a top priority for the team. A good few months later and here we are: a Dev Channel version of Edge can be had on Linux.
The release officially supports Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora and openSUSE. Sadly, there is no love for Pi fans at present; the team are apparently "looking at Arm", but no release has been forthcoming. It took Microsoft a good while to craft an Arm-native version of Edge for its own flagship fondleslab, so anyone running kit of a Raspberry persuasion would be advised to avoid holding their breath.
Click to enlarge
We took the release for a short run on Ubuntu 20.04, simply installing from the .deb file downloadable from the Edge Insider site. Other methods of installation are available, including command line instructions.
While performance comparisons would be unfair (this is not "stable" code), the browser performed admirably, although we'd be a bit nervous about using it as a daily driver. The version shows up as 88.0.673.0 and heck, even the Surf game worked.
As for the why, it seems an odd move at first glance. Linux is well served on the browser front, and we can't imagine many who are wedded to their Linux desktop will see the need for Microsoft's Chromium-fest. The Windows giant seems to agree, reiterating that its target is "developers who want to build and test their sites and apps on Linux."
Although the developer tooling (particularly the rendering) works well, other elements are... not so good. In particular, only local accounts are supported, so those hoping to use the syncing features that need a sign-in will be disappointed.
Click to enlarge
Still, this remains very much work-in-progress code and Microsoft stated that the features would turn up in a "future preview." Life in the Dev Channel means that weekly updates should be forthcoming.
The release is unlikely to set any usage charts on fire, however, the browser's arrival on Linux demonstrates the new Microsoft's keenness to meet developers wherever they may lurk, be it Windows, macOS and now Linux. ®
Tech Ping
Thanks!
I’ve got opera, brave, firefox, firefox developer’s edition, chromium and falkon browsers on my linux machine. I don’t need or want a browser that has anything to do with windows or microsoft. Their browsers are usually behind the times anyway. Web developers hate MS browsers because you have to have a second set of code or workarounds just for them and even then, things just might not work or look right.
Escaped the MS plantation early this year and I have no desire to go back. Want nothing to do with the evil empire.
I fought that ugly battle for decades on my websites, starting with IE3 vs. Navigator, Mosaic, SpyGlass, Firefox, etc.
One might hope that Edge/Chromium will prove largely compatible with Chrome and Brave and other Chromium-based browsers.
Agree.
Yep, Why? is a very good applicable question.
BTW, Desktop parts are still quite good, and below is a cheap but fast system you can customize. It is not one I built, but is similar and should be quite fast (though I do not waste time on online gaming).
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/82zhy4
AMD Ryzen 5 3400G 3.7 GHz Quad-Core Processor $144.99
ASRock B450 Pro4 ATX AM4 Motherboard $90.99
Team T-FORCE VULCAN Z 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 CL16 Memory $52.99
PNY XLR8 CS3030 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive $64.98
ADATA SU635 240 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive $26.99
DIYPC Ranger-R8 ATX Mid Tower Case $46.99
CoolMax 500 W ATX Power Supply $23.53
Insignia NS-PCF8050 23.96 CFM 80 mm Fan $7.95
Reeven Coldwing 65.2 CFM 140 mm Fan $7.99
Base Total: $467.40
Promo Discounts: -$5.00
Shipping: $6.99
Total: $469.39
This is without the OS. Note the AMD Ryzen 5 3400G can by OC'd to over 4GHz, and comes with Wraith Spire Cooler. BIOS should be updated from AS Rock before installing that, and which should be done on the PNY XLR8 CS3030 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive. Read manual first. Thank God for instruments to be used for good in service to Him.
Edit. “This is without the OS. BIOS should be updated from AS Rock before installing that” [not the CPU, obviously].
You’ve described a machine that is a LONG way from my first build.
It had a 1 Mhz clock and 256 BYTES of ram.
That was before you had such blazing fast CPUS as Intel Corp unveiled April, 1989 "a powerful new computer chip, the 80486, But at $950 each, the 486 is also nearly three times as costly as the 386. [https://tech-insider.org/microprocessors/research/1989/0411.html]
Then we have this wise and kind idea:
U.S. Will Allow Computer Sale To Court China - The New York ... www.nytimes.com › 1993/11/19 › world › us-will-allow-... Nov 19, 1993 — In a good-will gesture toward China, the Clinton Administration has agreed to sell it a sophisticated $8 million supercomputer, senior Administration officials said today. The decision is part of the Administration's strategy to embrace rather than isolate China despite disagreements over human rights, weapons proliferation and trade. [https://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/19/world/us-will-allow-computer-sale-to-court-china.html]
What could go wrong?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.