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What is Ladybird? Everything we know about the new browser & web engine

What is Ladybird? Everything we know about the new browser & web engine
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Nimrod Kramer
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Ladybird is a new web browser and engine focusing on speed, stability, privacy, and web standards compliance. It is open-source, independent, and non-profit, offering a unique user-centric alternative in the browser market.

Ladybird is a new open-source web browser and engine that prioritizes:

  • Speed
  • Stability
  • Privacy
  • Web standards compliance

Key features:

  • Built from scratch, not based on existing browsers
  • Funded by sponsorships and donations, not corporate money or ads
  • Focuses on user privacy and independence from big tech companies

Current status:

  • Early development stage
  • Works on Linux and macOS
  • Not yet ready for daily use

Quick Comparison:

Feature Ladybird Chrome Firefox Safari
Open-source Yes No Yes No
Privacy-focused Yes No Yes No
Ad-blocking Yes No Yes No
Non-profit Yes No No No
Custom engine Yes No No No

Ladybird aims to offer a unique, user-centric alternative in the browser market, free from corporate control and focused on privacy and web standards.

2. How Ladybird Started

Ladybird

Ladybird began as a tool for SerenityOS, a computer operating system created by Andreas Kling in 2018.

2.1 Roots in SerenityOS

SerenityOS

Ladybird started as a simple viewer for web pages in SerenityOS. It helped developers test LibWeb, a tool for showing web pages. Andreas Kling made a video showing how he built a basic screen for LibWeb, which was the start of Ladybird as a web browser.

2.2 Becoming Its Own Project

Change Result
Split from SerenityOS Ladybird became a separate project
Use of open-source tools Improved speed and stability
Focus on web standards Better compatibility with websites

Ladybird split off from SerenityOS to become its own project. This allowed it to use helpful tools from the open-source community. The team decided to build their own way of showing web pages, instead of using someone else's. This helps Ladybird stay independent and true to its goals.

3. Main Features of Ladybird

Ladybird is a new web browser with these key features:

3.1 Open-Source Software

Ladybird is free and open-source. This means:

  • No corporate funding or ads
  • Team keeps full control
  • Community can help improve it

3.2 Privacy and Security

Ladybird puts user privacy first:

Feature Benefit
Built-in ad blocker Fewer tracking ads
Blocks third-party cookies Less data collection
No corporate interests User data not sold

3.3 Web Standards Compliance

Ladybird follows web rules closely:

  • Built from scratch
  • No borrowed code from other browsers
  • Works well with many websites

3.4 Supported Platforms

Right now, Ladybird works on:

  • Linux
  • macOS

The team plans to add more platforms later.

4. Ladybird's Technology

Ladybird's technology is built from the ground up, focusing on speed, stability, security, and following web rules.

4.1 Custom Web Engine

Ladybird's own web engine aims to give users a fast, stable, and private browsing experience. It's different from other browsers because:

Feature Description
Funding Uses sponsorships and donations, not corporate money or ads
Independence Team can make their own choices
Privacy Puts user privacy first

The engine is built on SerenityOS tools:

  • LibWeb: Shows web pages
  • LibJS: Runs JavaScript
  • LibGfx: Handles 2D graphics
  • LibRegex: Works with regular expressions
  • LibWasm: Deals with WebAssembly

4.2 How It's Different from Other Engines

Ladybird's engine is not like Blink, WebKit, or Gecko. Here's why:

Ladybird Other Engines
Built from scratch Based on existing code
Focuses on user privacy May have corporate interests
Independent decision-making Might be influenced by company goals

4.3 New Tech in Ladybird

Ladybird uses some new ideas to make browsing better:

  • Each tab works separately for better speed and stability
  • Tabs are kept apart from the rest of the system for safety
  • Images and internet connections are handled separately
  • New way of working with WebAssembly for better speed and security

These features help make Ladybird fast, safe, and private while staying independent.

5. Development Status and Plans

5.1 Current Progress

Ladybird is still in early development. The team is fixing bugs and adding features to make it more stable. While not ready for daily use, Ladybird can handle some basic web tasks like:

5.2 Key Achievements

Achievement Description
Independence Built from scratch, not based on other browsers
Custom engine Focuses on speed, stability, security, and web rules
Privacy focus Designed to protect user data

5.3 Future Plans and Timeline

The Ladybird team aims to:

  • Release Alpha version by 2026
  • Keep improving speed, stability, and security
  • Protect user privacy

Users can help by:

  • Contributing on GitHub
  • Joining discussions on Discord

The team hopes Ladybird will become a good choice among other browsers.

6. People Behind Ladybird

6.1 Project Leaders

Two key people lead the Ladybird Browser project:

Leader Role Background
Chris Wanstrath Co-founder Former CEO of GitHub
Andreas Kling Creator Made SerenityOS

Wanstrath wants to make a browser without big company rules. Kling knows a lot about making operating systems and web browsers.

6.2 Core Team Members

The main Ladybird team includes skilled coders who:

  • Know a lot about making browsers
  • Want to make a browser that many people will like
  • Talk with users on GitHub and Discord

6.3 Community Involvement

Users can help make Ladybird better by:

  • Sharing ideas on GitHub
  • Talking with the team on Discord
  • Telling the team about problems they find
  • Suggesting new things to add

The team listens to what users say to make Ladybird work well for everyone.

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7. What Makes Ladybird Different

Ladybird is not like other web browsers. Here's why:

7.1 No Big Company Control

Ladybird doesn't take money from big companies or show ads. Instead, it gets help from:

  • People who give money because they like the idea
  • Sponsors who support the project

This means Ladybird can do what's best for users without worrying about making money for a company.

7.2 Not-for-Profit Setup

Ladybird works as a not-for-profit project. This means:

Feature Benefit
$1 million donation from Chris Wanstrath Can work on the project without money worries
No need to make money Can focus on making a good browser
Can stick to what's important Keeps privacy and safety as top goals

7.3 Following Web Rules

Ladybird cares a lot about following web rules. This means:

  • They built everything from scratch
  • They didn't copy code from other browsers
  • They try hard to keep user information safe
  • They want the browser to work well with most websites

8. Challenges and Possibilities

Ladybird faces several hurdles and opportunities as a new browser and web engine.

8.1 Building a New Browser

Making a new browser engine from scratch is hard. The Ladybird team must:

  • Build a fast and safe engine
  • Make sure it works with many websites
  • Create an easy-to-use design

They also have to compete with big, well-known browsers that many people already use.

8.2 Potential Market Impact

Despite these challenges, Ladybird could change the browser market:

Advantage Impact
Not tied to big companies Attracts users who care about privacy
Non-profit structure More open development process
Community-driven Users can help shape the browser

8.3 Room for New Ideas

Ladybird's fresh start allows for new ways of thinking about web browsing:

Opportunity Example
Try new approaches Make a small browser for old computers
Explore different uses Create tools for building news readers
Add user-requested features Listen to what people want in a browser

9. Ladybird vs. Other Browsers

Let's compare Ladybird to popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. We'll look at what makes Ladybird different.

9.1 Feature Comparison

Browser Open-Source Privacy-Focused Ad-Blocking Non-Profit
Ladybird Yes Yes Yes Yes
Chrome No No No No
Firefox Yes Yes Yes No
Safari No No No No

This table shows how Ladybird is different from other browsers. It's open-source, cares about privacy, blocks ads, and doesn't aim to make money. Firefox has some of these features too, but Ladybird is the only one that has all of them.

9.2 How Ladybird is Different

  • Custom Web Engine: Ladybird built its own web engine. This helps make browsing fast and stable.
  • Web Standards: Ladybird follows web rules closely. This means it can work well with most websites.
  • User Focus: Because Ladybird doesn't need to make money, it can focus on what users want.

9.3 Who Might Like Ladybird

Ladybird could be good for people who:

  • Care a lot about their privacy online
  • Don't want big companies to control their browsing
  • Like to support new, independent projects

While Ladybird might not be as polished as Chrome or Safari yet, it offers a different way to browse the web. It's a good choice for people who want more control over their online experience.

10. How to Get Involved

Ladybird welcomes help from anyone who wants to make the browser better. Here's how you can join in:

10.1 Ways to Help

How to Help What You Can Do
Coding Fix bugs, add new things, or make the code better
Writing Help make instructions for using Ladybird
Money Give money to help keep Ladybird going

10.2 Where to Start

To begin helping with Ladybird:

Resource What It's For
GitHub Find the code, report problems, and suggest changes
Discord Talk to other helpers, ask questions, and share ideas
Ladybird Guides Learn more about the project and how to help

If you want to help make Ladybird better, check out these places to get started. You can write code, make guides, or give money to support the project.

11. The Future of Web Browsing

Ladybird's new approach to web browsing could change how we use the internet in the future.

11.1 Effect on Web Rules

Ladybird is building a new browser engine from scratch. This means:

Ladybird's Approach Possible Outcome
Follows web rules closely Could shape future web standards
Built without using other browsers' code Might lead to more diverse browsers
Focuses on open web Could make the internet more accessible

By sticking to web rules, Ladybird might help create a more open internet where different browsers can offer their own special features.

11.2 Privacy and Browser Options

Ladybird cares a lot about keeping users' information safe. This could change how people think about web browsing:

Ladybird's Focus Potential Impact
User privacy More browsers might start protecting user data
Security Could set a new standard for safe browsing
User control Might give people more say in how they use the internet

As Ladybird offers a new way to browse that puts privacy first, other browsers might start doing the same. This could give users more choices and better control over their online activities.

12. Wrap-up

12.1 Key Points

Ladybird is a new web browser and engine with these main features:

Feature Description
Open-source Anyone can see and change the code
Privacy-focused Keeps user information safe
Independent Not controlled by big companies
Follows web rules Works well with most websites
Free from ads Doesn't show or track ads

Ladybird gets money from people who support it, not from ads or big companies. This helps it stay free to make choices that are good for users.

12.2 Why Independent Browsers Matter

Ladybird is important for the internet because:

  • It gives people a choice that puts their privacy first
  • It's not tied to big tech companies
  • It can try new ideas without worrying about making money

Independent browsers like Ladybird help keep the internet open and fair. They can focus on what users want, not what makes the most money. If Ladybird does well, it could change how browsers are made in the future, putting users first.

FAQs

Why Ladybird Browser?

Ladybird is a new web browser that's different from others. Here's why:

Feature Description
Privacy Keeps your information safe
Security Built to protect users
Independence Not owned by big companies
Custom engine Made from scratch
Web standards Works well with most websites

Ladybird doesn't take money from big companies or show ads. Instead, it gets help from people who like the idea.

Unlike Mozilla, Ladybird only makes browsers. This helps them:

  • Keep things simple
  • Stay within their budget

Ladybird is:

  • Open-source (anyone can see the code)
  • Written in C++
  • Open to help from the community

People can join in to make Ladybird better by writing code or sharing ideas.

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