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submitted 10 months ago by noodlejetski@lemm.ee to c/technology@beehaw.org

Last week, I turned on my PC, installed a Windows update, and rebooted to find Microsoft Edge automatically open with the Chrome tabs I was working on before the update. I don’t use Microsoft Edge regularly, and I have Google Chrome set as my default browser. Bleary-eyed at 9AM, it took me a moment to realize that Microsoft Edge had simply taken over where I’d left off in Chrome. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

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[-] jarfil@beehaw.org 5 points 10 months ago

they keep reinstalling stuff I’ve ripped out purposefully

You'll find every OS does that, it's called "installing dependencies". Even on Gentoo, there is only so far that you can go removing stuff before it turns out they either get reinstalled anyway, or everything comes tumbling down.

putting cloud run python functions in to Excel

People seem to like their cloud run functions in Google Sheets, Jupyter books, Mathematica notebooks, and similar. Can't blame MS for trying to catch up.

[-] underisk@lemmy.ml 11 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Edge, unlike Internet Explorer, is not a system level dependency. There is a separately installed web view that handles that now, likely due to EU consumer protections.

[-] xan1242@lemmy.ml 2 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

It kind of still is because of Webview2. Games such as Forza Motorsport (not that you'd want to play that crap) depend on it for Xbox login purposes even if you bought the game on Steam. The game depends on the system Edge libraries and doesn't ship its own.

[-] jarfil@beehaw.org 2 points 10 months ago

Edge is a dependency of the "Internet Explorer compatibility" system feature which comes enabled by default, while the Webview feature comes disabled by default.

Sneaky? Yeah... but it's a dependency 🤷

[-] Bene7rddso@feddit.de 7 points 10 months ago

Python2 might be required by something. Is Edge required? And Xbox? A folder for 3D models even if I never did 3D stuff and most likely never will on that PC? If yes, why? I can't think of anything I or lots of other people need that wouldn't work without these and lots of other things

[-] jarfil@beehaw.org 1 points 10 months ago

Edge is, somewhat ironically, required by the "Internet Explorer compatibility" feature. Xbox and the 3D folder, get installed as part of a "user experience" pack. Not sure if Edge also gets pulled as a requirement to populate the "default app" fields. Interestingly, if you never open the Xbox app, it will never fully install, even if the package gets updated.

[-] kittykittycatboys@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 points 10 months ago

ye but at least on linux the ~dependencies~ arent bundled with useless applications that u dont want, and u can mostly trust em cuz open source X3

[-] wizardbeard@lemmy.dbzer0.com 11 points 10 months ago

If no one is actually auditing that code, or somehow confirming that the binaries shipped by your package manager match what the code compiles to, then you're still playing a trust game.

Trusting in open source software devs rather than a capitalist corporation definitely makes sense, but it isn't some panacea for "safe, nonspying software".

Also, dependencies on linux absolutely include programs I don't want. They just tend to be less obtrusive terminal programs and libraries rather than full blown UI based shit. Less visible, but far easier to sneak under the radar.

[-] msage@programming.dev 3 points 10 months ago

That's why I use Gentoo. I don't read the code, even just Firefox is absolutely bonkers, but being able to flag out parts of code just feels nice. I know it's not absolute, but -telemetry gives me a nice warm feeling inside.

[-] kittykittycatboys@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 10 months ago

is why the mostly trust :3 as always run code at ur own risk

and the utility programs thatr part of thhe dependencies r often there so its easier for devs to use depenancies, so they do sorta gotta be there !

[-] jarfil@beehaw.org 2 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

somehow confirming that the binaries shipped by your package manager match what the code compiles to

Indeed, that's why: https://reproducible-builds.org/

Right now, Debian seems to be leading with over 95% of packages being reproducible.

this post was submitted on 29 Jan 2024
290 points (100.0% liked)

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