logoalt Hacker News

progbitstoday at 7:26 PM3 repliesview on HN

Why is it that every gemini/gopher discussion throws out the baby with the bathwater?

> Chrome alone controls roughly 73% of global desktop browser market share.

> More and more, the webdevs of the world test and develop for Chrome only.

> It doesn't need to be this way. https:// is not the only way to connect and interface with the Internet

These are completely unrelated concepts! Google/Chrome doesn't control HTTP nor HTTPS. There is nothing wrong with the protocols, you can just make your website plaintext file if you like.


Replies

goldenarmtoday at 8:28 PM

Google almost shipped a DRM for the whole internet in 2023, and they will try again

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_Environment_Integrity

show 1 reply
thesuitonymtoday at 8:54 PM

You may be surprised to find out that the majority of gemini/gopher authors actually do have simple HTTP(S) sites. Some even have very complex HTTPS sites. Gemini and Gopher isn't really about getting rid of the WWW, it's about having a space that's entirely disconnected from it.

akkartiktoday at 7:46 PM

Why is it that every criticism of gemini/gopher throws the baby out with the bathwater?

When you browse to a pristine html page containing zero adtech it contains links. Those links you might click on without first thoroughly vetting them for behavioral exhaust.

Hyperlinks are a vector for contagion. A new protocol creates isolation. What's wrong with both existing? Defense in depth at all levels, I say. You think https can't enshittify, maybe you just haven't waited long enough.