# Linux Foundation Bands Together Chromium Browser Makers in a “Neutral Space” ![rw-book-cover](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/chromium_logo.jpeg) - Author: [[Kevin Purdy]] - Full Title: Linux Foundation Bands Together Chromium Browser Makers in a “Neutral Space” - URL: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/01/google-meta-microsoft-and-opera-agree-on-something-supporting-chromium/ ## Full Document [[Full Document Contents/Articles/Linux Foundation Bands Together Chromium Browser Makers in a “Neutral Space”.md|See full document content →]] ## Document Notes --- tags: - #Chromium - #OpenSource - #LinuxFoundation - #Google - #Meta - #Microsoft - #Opera author: Kevin Purdy source: Ars Technica reference: [https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/01/google-meta-microsoft-and-opera-agree-on-something-supporting-chromium/](https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/01/google-meta-microsoft-and-opera-agree-on-something-supporting-chromium/) date created: 2025-01-09 13:30 --- # Title: Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers Join Forces with the Linux Foundation ## Table of Contents: - [📝 Summary](#summary) - [📖 Main Content](#main-content) - [🗒️ Notes](#notes) - [📖 References](#references) - [🗣️ Paraphrase](#paraphrase) - [📰 Newsletter](#newsletter) - [✅ Action Items](#action-items) - [🧪 Hypotheses](#hypotheses) - [📊 Methodology](#methodology) - [❓ Questions](#questions) - [🔮 Future Research](#future-research) - [💡 Implications](#implications) - [🧠 Learning Styles Assessment](#learning-styles-assessment) - [📊 Accessibility Assessment](#accessibility-assessment) - [🌍 DEIB Assessment](#deib-assessment) - [✅ Logical Validity](#logical-validity) - [🔍 DARVO Analysis](#darvo-analysis) - [🔍 SEO Evaluation](#seo-evaluation) - [🎯 Conclusion](#conclusion) ### References: - Linux Foundation press release on Chromium collaboration. ## 📝 Summary: The Linux Foundation has launched a new initiative to foster support for Chromium, an open-source browser project that forms the backbone of several popular browsers, including Google Chrome. This initiative will bring together major industry players, including Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Opera, to provide funding and development support. Chromium's open governance model will remain intact, with the Linux Foundation’s structure supporting transparency, inclusivity, and community-driven development. Despite a shift toward external collaboration, Google will still maintain a significant presence within the project. ## 📖 Main Content: The new Chromium initiative, organized by the Linux Foundation, aims to unify efforts from key players in the tech industry to support the open-source Chromium project. The initiative will be an inclusive space where various organizations, academia, developers, and the open-source community can contribute to the future of Chromium. The initiative is not about moving Chromium entirely outside of Google, but it represents a significant step towards reducing Google's monopoly over the project. ### 🗒️ Notes: - **Linux Foundation's Role**: - The Linux Foundation, a nonprofit supporting various open-source projects, has initiated the new Chromium effort. - Its model is based on open governance, similar to other initiatives it oversees like Kubernetes and Node.js. - **Participating Organizations**: - **Google**: Continues to play a major role in the project. - **Meta, Microsoft, and Opera**: These companies, along with others, will contribute to the project's funding and development. - **Governance Model**: - An open governance model based on transparency and community-driven development. - A Technical Advisory Committee will oversee the work done by the group to ensure it serves the broader Chromium community. - **Chromium vs. Google Chrome**: - Chromium is open-source, while Chrome is the closed-source version used by millions globally. - Google has progressively loosened its control over Chromium, allowing greater external contributions and influence. - **Impact on the Web Ecosystem**: - Chromium powers numerous browsers and apps, including Microsoft Edge, Vivaldi, and Electron apps, spreading its influence across various platforms and devices. - This effort may lead to more robust, diverse contributions from outside Google, further decentralizing the web’s browser market. ## 📖 References: - CNET (2020). *Goma and the development of Chromium*. - Linux Foundation (Press Release). ## 🗣️ Paraphrase: - **Original**: "Krystian Kolondra, executive vice president of browsers at Opera, stated in a release that 'as one of the major browsers contributing to the Chromium project,' Opera would 'look forward to collaborating with members of the project to foster this growth and keep building innovative and compelling products for all users.'" - **Paraphrase**: Opera's Krystian Kolondra emphasized that as a significant contributor to the Chromium project, Opera is excited to collaborate with the initiative's members to drive growth and develop innovative products for all users. ## 📰 Newsletter: **Big News for Chromium Lovers: Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Opera Join Forces with the Linux Foundation** This week, some of the largest names in tech—Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Opera—have teamed up with the Linux Foundation to provide funding and development support for the Chromium project. This initiative aims to bring more collaboration and community-driven development to the open-source web. What does this mean for developers? It could bring more transparency, inclusivity, and innovation into the future of Chromium-based browsers. If you’re a web developer or just a fan of Chromium, this could be the start of something big! ## ✅ Action Items: - **For Open-Source Advocates**: This new initiative demonstrates the growing importance of open-source collaboration in the browser space. As an advocate, consider promoting participation in the Chromium initiative and exploring opportunities for community contributions. - **For Web Developers**: Stay informed on the progress of Chromium’s open governance model and consider contributing to the project to help shape the future of web browsers. - **For Educators**: Incorporate the Chromium project into discussions on open-source development models and governance structures. ## 🧪 Hypotheses: - The expansion of external contributions to Chromium will lead to greater diversity in its development and user base. - The involvement of multiple tech giants will create a more competitive and innovative ecosystem for web browsers. ### 📊 Methodology: To test these hypotheses, a survey of Chromium contributors could be conducted to measure the diversity of backgrounds and contributions. An analysis of the project’s growth in terms of new features and participation rates before and after the initiative could help assess the impact of external contributions. ### ❓ Questions: - How will the involvement of companies like Meta and Microsoft change the future of Chromium's development? - What can be done to ensure that the open governance model remains effective and inclusive as more companies get involved? ### 🔮 Future Research: Further research could explore how the governance of large open-source projects like Chromium can balance corporate interests with the needs of independent developers. ### 💡 Implications: This initiative could lead to broader adoption of Chromium-based browsers across industries, influencing browser development practices and contributing to the evolution of open-source governance models. ## 🧠 Learning Styles Assessment: The article is accessible and would engage **verbal learners** through its clear explanation of the new governance model and its potential impacts. To better engage **visual learners**, the inclusion of graphs or visuals representing the growth and involvement in the Chromium project could be helpful. ### 📊 Accessibility Assessment: - **Screen Reader Compatibility**: Ensure all images and graphs used in any online content regarding the initiative are accompanied by alt-text. - **Text Resizing**: Ensure that all text is easily resizable without breaking the layout. ### 🌍 DEIB Assessment: The article does a good job of introducing diverse stakeholders, but it could highlight specific contributions from underrepresented groups in open-source development. ## ✅ Logical Validity: The argument for a more open and community-driven Chromium project is supported by the involvement of key industry players. However, the article could further explore how this collaboration might address the fragmentation of web standards. ### 🔍 DARVO Analysis: No clear signs of DARVO (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender) in this content. The col ## Highlights - [Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers](https://www.linuxfoundation.org/supporters-of-chromium-based-browsers) sounds like a very niche local meetup, one with hats and T-shirts that barely fit the name. But it's really a "neutral space" for funding and support, corralling together some big names with a stake in the future of Chrome's open source roots, Chromium. The [Linux Foundation](http://www.linuxfoundation.org/), a nonprofit started in 2000 that has grown to support a broader range of open source projects, spurred the initiative. In a press release, the Foundation states that the project will allow "industry leaders, academia, developers, and the broader open source community" to work on Chromium, with "much-needed funding and development support for open development of projects." A few names you don't often see together are already on board: Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Opera. Krystian Kolondra, executive vice president of browsers at Opera, stated in a release that "as one of the major browsers contributing to the Chromium project," Opera would "look forward to collaborating with members of the project to foster this growth and keep building innovative and compelling products for all users." How will this work? Kind of how Chromium has been working already. The group will have an open governance model, according to the Foundation, based on other Foundation initiatives based on "transparency, inclusivity, and community-driven development." The Linux Foundation's structure supports Kubernetes, Node.js, RISC-V, ONAP, and, of course, Linux, in such a manner. A Technical Advisory Committee will ensure the work done in the group "meets the needs of the wider Chromium community." Otherwise, the Chromium projects will keep to their existing governance structures. Not quite outside Google, but maybe getting there Chromium is named for the base metal that allows the application of chrome plating, and it's a good fit. Google's Chrome is a freeware release with deeper ties to Google's ecosystem, while Chromium, released at the same time as Chrome in 2008, is open source. Google has slowly loosened its de facto control of the project, particularly since 2020, allowing outside developers into its leadership, softening its stance on non-Google-derived features and [opening up its "Goma" development scheme](https://groups.google.com/a/chromium.org/g/chromium-dev/c/eOtBzosZtd8?pli=1) for Chromium, as [detailed by CNET in 2020](https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/google-gets-web-allies-by-letting-outsiders-help-build-chromes-foundation/). Stephen Shankland's report from 2020 notes a number of people suggesting that Chromium as a whole could be moved out of Google entirely and into an independent foundation, such as the Linux Foundation. That's not what is happening now, but it's another step toward larger organization outside of the web's dominant browser and advertising provider (though Google is still one of the supporters). As a result of offering up a viable version of Chrome, many firms have jumped in. Nearly 30 browsers are listed on [Wikipedia's Chromium page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromium_(web_browser)#Browsers_based_on_Chromium), including Microsoft's Edge, Vivaldi, and Brave. Electron desktop apps, the Chromium Embedded Framework, and a likely uncountable number of embedded browsers make Chromium even more widespread. You can see who committed to which repository in Chromium with Arthur Sonzogni's very cool visualization tool, [Chromium Commit Tracker](https://chrome-commit-tracker.arthursonzogni.com/). [![Photo of Kevin Purdy](https://arstechnica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/kevin_headshot.jpg)](https://arstechnica.com/author/kevinpurdy/) [Kevin Purdy](https://arstechnica.com/author/kevinpurdy/) Senior Technology Reporter ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01jh8jamvzcmc2sgfbv2n9cwze))