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Draft:ABrowser

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

ABrowser is a free and open-source web browser developed as part of the GNU Project. It is based on Mozilla Firefox and aims to provide a privacy-respecting and entirely free software browsing experience. ABrowser is known for eliminating proprietary components and telemetry features present in mainstream browsers while maintaining compatibility with Firefox add-ons.

History

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ABrowser originated from the GNU IceCat project, which was initially a rebranding of Mozilla Firefox focused on free software principles. While GNU IceCat maintained additional features for privacy and security, ABrowser provides a simplified, privacy-centric browser that removes proprietary code and features that do not align with the GNU Project’s goals.

Features

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Privacy-Focused

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ABrowser is designed to prioritize user privacy. It disables tracking mechanisms and telemetry tools commonly included in Mozilla Firefox. Additionally, ABrowser removes suggestions for proprietary or non-free plugins and services, ensuring that users are not encouraged to use software outside of the free software ecosystem.

100% Free Software

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ABrowser adheres strictly to the principles of free software. It does not include any proprietary components, making it a popular choice for users who align with the Free Software Foundation's (FSF) philosophy. All updates and modifications to ABrowser are distributed under licenses recognized as free by the FSF.

Compatibility

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Being derived from Firefox, ABrowser supports many of the same extensions available in Firefox’s add-on ecosystem. This allows users to enhance their browsing experience while still adhering to ABrowser’s commitment to freedom and privacy.

Customizable and Lightweight

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ABrowser retains the customizable nature of Firefox, allowing users to configure the browser to suit their needs. It also focuses on delivering a lightweight and efficient performance, ensuring usability on a wide range of hardware.

Usage

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ABrowser is included in distributions that prioritize free software, such as Trisquel GNU/Linux. It can also be downloaded and installed independently by users who wish to adopt a fully free and privacy-respecting browser.

Differences Between ABrowser and Firefox

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Caption text
Feature ABrowser Mozilla Firefox
License Free software only Mix of free and proprietary
Telemetry Disabled Enabled by default
Proprietary Plugins Not supported Supported
Add-ons Compatibility Firefox-compatible Firefox-compatible

Community and Support

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ABrowser is maintained by the free software community, with contributions from developers and users who are passionate about privacy and freedom. Support is primarily provided through forums, wikis, and community-driven documentation.

See Also

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References

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