I arrived here while attempting to evaluate Joplin but now find myself evaluating Mozilla.
At this moment, I can experiment with Joplin and it’s web clipper add-on by using Chrome but I cannot use Firefox.
I’m forced to wonder: Will I ever be able to use Firefox? Will Mozilla eventually allow me to install the Joplin Web Clipper?
Mozilla’s reasons for their repeated removal of Joplin’s web clipper add-on are not as important as the way they’re handling the repeated removals.
Mozilla’s behavior is characterized by many of the same complaints made about Apple’s App Store.
“Google has a bad reputation but in fact they’ve been much more professional - they do automated reviews, and either it passes or not, but they don’t kill add-ons out of the blue like Mozilla did.” Laurent, Joplin Team Member (source)
That an ADVERTISING company handles such issues better than Mozilla is worrying for me, because Mozilla’s removal of the Joplin add-on blurs the distinction between an Open Source Community and a Publicly Traded For-Profit Corporation. Is it just me or shouldn’t Mozilla’s behaviour sharpen the distinction?
Note
I chose to post this comment because the add-on removal has demonstrated a cause for concern during my efforts to find a commercial product that offers Joplin’s features AND Joplin’s robust and battle-tested software.
Apple’s strategy of owning the whole widget is designed to protect them from the sort of dependence Joplin has on Mozilla. However, that strategy is pushing me out of Apple’s ecosystem because they’re not making the tools I need.
I’m off to install the Joplin Web Clipper for Chrome. I hope Mozilla comes through. The Joplin team’s transparency and manner of speaking about this ongoing issue only strengthen my positive early impressions!
Peter
