From:    marc <marcxdv@???>

Date:    Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:03:00 +0100

> The web is being encircled and captured by commercial interests.
> ...
> So please do use small, exotic or long forgotten gui toolkits.
> As long as their dependency graph isn't too crazy either.

At 49:40 in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXY78gPMvl0 an audience
member asks a "2nd question". Wirth's answer paralleled Marc's precept.

> One suspects the next tooth in the ratchet will exclude open
> hardware for being far too "insecure" and insufficiently DRMed to
> host something as important as a browser which can access online
> banking.

Until about 6 years ago my credit union account was accessible with
Dillo. Then the CU adopted server software endorsed by the provincial
association of credit unions, thereby excluding browsers lacking
JavaScript. Currently I need an Android or iPhone system for some
services. As Marc says, the trend is to increase exclusion of
independent open software.

Consumers don't understand well enough to oppose the trend. The
likely antidote is legislation at a national level.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union_competition_law
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_antitrust_law

I don't expect progress in my lifetime.

Regards,                       ... P.

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