(Tangent alert) Why does modern Firefox suck so much?

Post by **wuggy** » 16 Apr 2026, 05:30

Recently had to use and compile modern Firefox, and it is an experience straight from hell.
(Whoever thought it was a good idea to shove rust into Firefox seriously needs a mental checkup.)

For one, why does it take 3 hours to compile, whereas UXP takes 20 mins? (Spoiler, most of that is just compiling Rust packages)

And it's also compiling stupid shit like WebVR, in the WINDOWS VERSION. Maybe it would make an ounce of sense if it was on Android or something similar to that, but still, WHY?

So-called "modern" web browsers are the most stupid shit I have ever seen. All a web browser needs to do is load pages, maybe a sprinkle of JavaScript, not whatever the modern web's crap is.

Iffy-chan · Post by **Iffy-chan** » 16 Apr 2026, 07:21

I mean, I've already linked to a gigantic webpage that talks about this previously: https://digdeeper.club/articles/mozilla.xhtml

TL;DR they're more focused on controlled-opposition performative activism than building a browser. It's intentional.

As for web developers being morons, it's both a mix of agenda-ism, "smart" devices and laziness.

I wish something independent like NetSurf would get more attention, to be quite honest. I've always liked the idea of a totally independently written browser (not to mention, it's been ported to some interesting platforms, such as RISC OS and the Dreamcast).

The-10-Pen · Post by **The-10-Pen** » 16 Apr 2026, 11:32

I kinda think that Firefox Sucks So Much because their userbase just "accepts" unconventional aspects of Firefox without REAL thought behind it.

With RESPECT towards members here, we have that "blind acceptance" even HERE.

I realize that I'm in the minority, doesn't mean I can't be heard.

I cite Firefox's background DNS (merely as a RECENT discussion herein).
These "background" connections, regardless of how "trivial" or data-centric, FORCE software firewall rules to be OPENED WIDER.
Things like "loopback" rules. I will not go into detail, research yourself! This has been a Firefox "negative" for over TWENTY YEARS.
If you use very strict parent-process-based firewall rules, Firefox has to be opened WIDER than browsers without these "trivial" DNS connections.
Call me paranoid, DON'T CARE!

To me, Firefox users are COMPLACENT and MAKE UP EXCUSES when "called out".
Forgive me for saying so, but they see themselves as "different" and "going against the grain" and MAKE EXCUSES to label it as "right".

There are some NON-COMPLACENT users - ie, things like this --
https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/browsing/firefox-users-slam-mozilla-over-controversial-data-privacy-update

But the reality is that MOST users of Firefox really DON'T CARE, they have BLIND TRUST in Firefox and create excuses when called out on it.
"But it's the lesser of two evils", or something like that.

I can't speak towards COMPILING Firefox, I have done it, but I also didn't trust my output.
But then again, I didn't really trust the input "base code" either.

The-10-Pen · Post by **The-10-Pen** » 16 Apr 2026, 13:00

I suppose I should add the DISCLAIMER that when I say "most Firefox users", I refer to folks like my SISTER and NOT folks that become members of web sites such as this. Something my sister would NEVER do. Facebook, yes. Something real like this, no, never in a million years. And that subset of "most Firefox users" couldn't tell you the difference between DNS, TCP, or UDP. But could list three dozen acronyms used on Facebook that I would have to look up to know what the H#ll she is trying to say.

DoNotThrowOldPCsAway · Post by **DoNotThrowOldPCsAway** » 16 Apr 2026, 15:14

Anyone else noticed how fast version 148 was only for the whole speed improvement to go away in 149?

The-10-Pen · Post by **The-10-Pen** » 16 Apr 2026, 18:40

DoNotThrowOldPCsAway wrote: ↑16 Apr 2026, 15:14 Anyone else noticed how fast version 148 was only for the whole speed improvement to go away in 149?

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The-10-Pen · Post by **The-10-Pen** » 16 Apr 2026, 19:03

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Post by **wuggy** » 16 Apr 2026, 19:15

Can you test Dactyloidae against this? I want to see what you get.

The-10-Pen · Post by **The-10-Pen** » 16 Apr 2026, 19:18

wuggy wrote: ↑16 Apr 2026, 19:15 Can you test Dactyloidae against this? I want to see what you get.

Absolutely... One moment...

The-10-Pen · Post by **The-10-Pen** » 16 Apr 2026, 19:44

All of these (and previous) were done in a 4GB RAM TeamOS Win11 Ultra Lite VM where I strip away additional items that TeamOS still leaves in.
With no background or on-the-side "load" while performing test. No other apps open other than browser being tested at the time.
No extensions, out of the box, as-is, no config changes of any kind.

Comparing Dact-ae to "modern" seems UNFAIR, so I include a more apples-to-apples comparison with UXP Serpent 52 and Official Pale Moon.
I've never ran UXP Serpent 55 to know where it would fall in comparison.

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The-10-Pen · Post by **The-10-Pen** » 16 Apr 2026, 19:51

Just for reference. Also in the same Win11 VM as all above screencaps. This is what I use on any of my XP machines/VMs.

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Iffy-chan · Post by **Iffy-chan** » 16 Apr 2026, 20:06

The-10-Pen wrote: ↑16 Apr 2026, 11:32 "But it's the lesser of two evils", or something like that.

It's an extremely 'old school' attitude to be viciously anti-Chromium and pro-Firefox in technical-minded communities, which is probably a holdover from the IE6-era rivalry days... but also part of a performative/symbolic 'fuck you' to Big Tech, without realising Mozilla are very much a part of that Big Tech themselves.

'Firefox good because backed by nonprofit', and 'Chromium bad because backed by for-profit' is a very simple way of looking at things, and isn't usually correct either.

Not to mention, the way Mozilla treated the SeaMonkey team also cemented my opinion of them as a bunch of establishment crooks worse than Google could ever be. If they weren't so disingenuous about 'ooh we're the good guys!!!! please like us!!!' and just admitted they're a bunch of fucking cunts I'd probably like them just that little bit more, but as it stands, their browser is not only shite but they are also a bunch of two-faced wankers along with it.

The-10-Pen · Post by **The-10-Pen** » 16 Apr 2026, 20:09

Iffy-chan wrote: ↑16 Apr 2026, 20:06 ↑

Agreed !!!

Post by **Duke** » 16 Apr 2026, 21:00

Iffy-chan wrote: ↑16 Apr 2026, 20:06 It's an extremely 'old school' attitude to be viciously anti-Chromium

OK, be 'modern' and go with Chrome then. It's well known to be much better about privacy than Firefox and the Google guys are soooo cool with all of us

Food for thought: read about Manifest V3:
https://ublockorigin.com

The-10-Pen · Post by **The-10-Pen** » 16 Apr 2026, 21:35

Duke wrote: ↑16 Apr 2026, 21:00 ↑

AGREED also !!!

No browser is "perfect" !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!!
What "gets my goat" is when Firefox people (you?) shout "Fire" from rooftops FALSELY CLAIMING that Firefox is "the best thing since sliced bread".

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The-10-Pen · Post by **The-10-Pen** » 16 Apr 2026, 21:38

Duke wrote: ↑16 Apr 2026, 21:00 Food for thought: read about Manifest V3:
https://ublockorigin.com

In case you missed it (because I "talk a lot", lol), MV3 is *one of the reasons* that I *hate* uBO force-included in recent 'fox forks.
Although, yeah, I probably (probably) shouldn't complain about that UNTIL (it will happen eventually, IMO) Firefox/Forks no longer support MV2.

I *intentionally* use a MV2 version of uBO.
My point here being "don't assume I'm on MV3 uBO" even on browsers that air-quotes "no longer support" MV2.
Even Chrome/Chromium Dev v146 *STILL* runs MV2 extensions. Requires a couple of hoops to jump through, but nothing major.
And hoops that geekie nerdie types that join forums like this are WELL AWARE OF.

The-10-Pen · Post by **The-10-Pen** » 16 Apr 2026, 23:25

Duke wrote: ↑16 Apr 2026, 21:00 OK, be 'modern' and go with Chrome then. It's well known to be much better about privacy than Firefox and the Google guys are soooo cool with all of us

No browser is perfect. NONE.
Yeah, every Firefox Fan always always always cites "privacy". Yawn!
Or every Firefox Fan is so GIGANTICALLY biased against anything-everything "corporate". Another Yawn!
Always confuses me as a "low to middle Working Class" with a 401k.
Serious Question - Do Firefox users have 401k's? Seriously, do they ???
My sister does NOT !!! And that's my closest reference for "Firefox user".
But my brother-in-law DOES. But he's a truck driver and doesn't even use computers, only phones and phone apps.

But anywhoo...
No browser is perfect. Some of us MUST HAVE the PERFORMANCE of ditching-the-sh*t out of Firefox.
I used to be (USED TO BE!) a Firefox Fanboy. Dead serious! Then Pale Moon when Firefox went DOWNHILL.
Then Pale Moon went DOWNHILL also!

No browser is perfect. I really do *REQUIRE* PERFORMANCE in my browser.
I always have AT LEAST *FIVE* videos playing at any given time.
Hey, to each their own, it's my way of life and I love it.
I don't scroll around on the remote during commercials, I only need to mute that video and unmute another.

It's great and I love it. To each their own. CAN'T DO THIS in crappy browsers. Just can't!

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Iffy-chan · Post by **Iffy-chan** » 16 Apr 2026, 23:29

I'm well aware of Manifest V3, Duke. Mozillarse clearly allowed it to go through as they have a say in the WebExtensions protocol, they are just as complicit in the watering down of content blocking as Google are. Besides, can't one just patch support back in if they really must? (See: The Browser Which Must Not Be Named)

Also, Chromium !== Chrome. That's like saying roytam1's forks are the same as the official Pale Moon project, or that Pale Moon is Firefox itself.

Can I just ask The-Ten-Pen/NotHereToPlayGames though, why you have five videos playing at one time? How are you capable of keeping up with them all? (Not to mention, CNN and Fox News... what on earth?)

Do agree with preloaded extensions being a bad thing, as personally I think it should be up to the user, if they want to install a specific content blocker or not. Some people like uMatrix over uBlock Origin for instance or just simply dislike additional third-party content they didn't ask for.

(Also, we don't all live in the USA: the state pension pot isn't called a 401k outside the US. For the record, you might actually be onto something here in regards to the differing priorities between those who are pretty much grafting day to day and those who live a relatively comfortable life - it's easier to worry about trivial things when you're well-off)

The-10-Pen · Post by **The-10-Pen** » 16 Apr 2026, 23:41

My default go-to is Ungoogled Chromium... Then Official Chromium... Then Official Chrome... Then Official Edge...

Unfortunately, I need all of them.

I prefer to use OLDER versions. But not "too old".
My Ungoogled is still at v138. My Chromium and Chrome are both at v144. My Edge is at v146.

My city utilities (cursed they be!) never makes it past a Clouflare test on ANYTHING older than two months old!
So I keep a PORTABLE un-embedded-with-OS version of Edge basically just for paying my city utilities.

Netflix only works on Official Chrome (I'm sure it works on Edge also, I just don't because Edge consumes more RAM).

And H#LL YEAH, CNN *and* Fox! When I tell you I am "purple" and a "centrist", I really am.
I HATE THE "EXTREMISTS" ON BOTH SIDES !!!

Post by **Duke** » 17 Apr 2026, 02:45

Iffy-chan wrote: ↑16 Apr 2026, 23:29 Mozillarse

Enough said.

There are actually two major browsers: Chromium and Firefox. Any other browser is a fork of these two ones.
So using names and shouting is useless. Make your choice but don't waste your time trying to convince other people.
My choice is a recent browser + Manifest V2 as long as possible. Because I want to be able to choose what my browser has access to. That's what is really important for me and not the so-called attitude of the browser team. Because in this case I'd never use anything made by Google.

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