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Good time-of-day, Linux users! I hope you will take kindly^1^ to coming here to tell you about Konform Browser and what it is. And also ask you to try it out in case this is your cup of tea :)

In short, Konform Browser is a web browser with the goal of promoting user freedom and access to the rights of security, privacy and anonymity. It is intended as a general-purpose browser fit both for daily online surfing as well as targeted deployments in secure or untrusted environments. It is fundamentally a patched build and custom configuration of Mozilla FireFox ESR. It started as a fork of LibreWolf and now stands on its own four feet.

Some highlights to give an idea to those familiar with LibreWolf or other FF fork:

• Security: Konform is based on Firefox ESR instead of Rapid Release. This means a more stable base without missing out on the latest security updates, in exchange for longer time waiting for the newest features from Firefox. It also enables shorter lead times to backport upstream updates.
  • In this sense (and a few others), Konform Browser is closer to IceCat/GNUZilla than it is to Librewolf.
• Freedom: Konform allows a higher level of customization. It gives the user control and trusts you with that responsibility. Some examples:
  • Allows enabling dark mode and following system theming even when Resist Fingerprinting is enabled
  • Allows installing your own self-built unsigned add-ons
  • "Spoof referer source" user configuration option
• Privacy and security: Disables all browser features relying on external network connections.
  • "RemoteSettings" is completely disabled^2^.
  • No cloud "AI" integrations. You can run Konform on a disconnected network and not notice any reduced functionality.
  • All telemetry, metrics, and ads from the browser disabled.
  • OCSP turned off (but we have CRLite).
  • tcpdump and see the difference!

I should add that even if we contrast with LibreWolf above, this is not at all meant as a dig or criticism. I think they have done and continue to do great contributions for the benefit of all of us. That we chose it as upstream and that it's the easiest to compare with is a testament both to how closely aligned we are and that Konform has a lot to thank Librewolf and the wider Firefox customization community for. Like they built from Librefox and Arkenfox to bring private browsing to a wider audience, so are we but the next to try help widen and deepen the browser ecosystem.

The recommended installation method is building from source but there are also binary packages for x86_64 and arm64 built by Codeberg CI. Currently Linux only, considering Android next and could use some assistance with that.

Doors open for users, testers and contributors. Looking forward to hear what you think and if there's anything missing!

^1^: Disclosure: Am dev. This is a rewritten crosspost.

^2^: This means that local full-page translation is also unavailable even if in principle it should be possible to bundle and run translations fully locally. It's just the way Mozilla built it. Patches towards allowing users to enable fully offline translations would be very welcome.

Sources: https://codeberg.org/konform-browser

Deb / RPM / Tarball / Container image

See releases for details.

Arch User Repo package

Arch User Repo binary package

Screenshot

There is a new Firefox fork in town: Konform Browser. Its focus is privacy, security and user freedom. Yes, I know this sounds familiar - but hear me out, I do think we have something to bring to the table!

The project started as a fork of LibreWolf and now stands on its own four feet.

Some highlights to give an idea to those familiar with LibreWolf or other FF fork:

• Security: Konform is based on Firefox ESR. This means a more stable base without missing out on the latest security updates, in exchange for longer time waiting for the newest features from Firefox. It also enables shorter lead times to backport upstream updates.
  • In this sense (and a few others), Konform Browser is closer to IceCat/GNUZilla than it is to Librewolf.
• Freedom: Konform allows a higher level of customization. It gives the user control and trusts you with that responsibility. Some examples:
  • Allows enabling dark mode and following system theming even when Resist Fingerprinting is enabled.
  • Allows installing your own self-built unsigned add-ons
  • "Spoof referer source" user configuration option
• Privacy and security: Disables all browser features relying on external network connections.
  • "RemoteSettings" is completely disabled^1^.
  • No cloud "AI" integrations. You can run Konform on a disconnected network and not notice any reduced functionality.
  • All telemetry, metrics, and ads from the browser disabled.
  • OCSP turned off (but we have CRLite).
  • tcpdump and see the difference

I should add that even if we contrast with LibreWolf above, this is not at all meant as a dig or criticism. That we chose it as base and that it's the easiest to compare with is a testament both to how closely aligned we are and that Konform has a lot to thank Librewolf and the wider Firefox customization community for. Like they built from Librefox and Arkenfox to bring private browsing to a wider audience, so are we but the next to try help widen and deepen the browser ecosystem.

The recommended installation method is building from source but there are also binary packages for x86_64 and arm64 built by Codeberg CI. Currently Linux only, considering Android next and could use some assistance with that.

Doors open for users, testers and contributors. Looking forward to hear what you think and if there's anything missing.

^1^: This means that local full-page translation is also unavailable even if in principle it should be possible to bundle and run translations fully locally. It's just the way Mozilla built it. Patches towards allowing users to enable fully offline translations would be very welcome.

Sources: https://codeberg.org/konform-browser

Arch User Repo package

Deb / RPM / Tarball

See releases for details.

Screenshot

Redmond97-SE is a living continuation of the now unmaintained Redmond 97.

"Redmond" style themes for GTK, Xfce, Metacity, WINE.

Includes both old-school retro variants to emulate Win9x/2000/XP, plus more modern darks for the productivity-focused desktop.

AUR packaging for Arch Linux just dropped.

• Distribution: QubesOS 4.3
• Desktop Environment: Xfce
• Theme: Redmond97-SE
• Window Manager: Xmonad
• Terminal: xterm + tmux
• Launcher: Rofi^1^
• Bar: xfce4-panel

Windows

Top-left to bottom right:

1. neovim "IDE" with integrated terminal editing dotfiles (Debian)
2. dom0 admin terminal (Fedora)
3. Qubes Manager looking at some templates (Fedora)
4. Thunar File manager about to move a file between qubes (Whonix)
5. Konform Browser browsing codeberg (Arch Linux)

Each app and window can belong to a separate qube (Xen VM), visually discriminated by differing color schemes.

Thanks to Ben Grandes qusal which was very helpful as base for setting things up.

This is a setup optimized for productivity and efficiency, which is reflected in the lack of eye-candy and gratuitous margins.

^1^: Not pictured - I figured the screenshot was busy enough. If y'all want to see more LMK.

For those of you still not satisfied with the Firefox fork ecosystem, we propose to you Konform Browser. Yes, it's another one about privacy and security with a canine logo. But I do think we have something to bring to the table.

This started as a fork of LibreWolf and now stands on its own four feet.

Some highlights to give an idea to those having used LibreWolf or another FF fork:

• Security: Konform is based on Firefox ESR. This means a more stable base without missing out on the latest security updates, in exchange for longer time waiting for the newest features from Firefox.
  • In this sense (and a few others), Konform Browser is closer to IceCat/GNUZilla than it is to Librewolf.
• Freedom: Konform allows a higher level of customization. It gives the user control and trusts you with that responsibility. Some examples:
  • Allows enabling dark mode and following system theming even when Resist Fingerprinting is enabled.
  • Allows installing your own self-built unsigned add-ons
  • "Spoof referer source" user configuration option
• Privacy and security: Disables all browser features relying on external network connections^1^.
  • "RemoteSettings" is completely disabled^2^.
  • No cloud "AI" integrations. You can run Konform on a disconnected network and not notice any reduced functionality.
  • All telemetry, metrics, and ads from the browser disabled.
  • OCSP turned off.
  • tcpdump and see the difference

Oh, and it actually builds on Arch, in contrast to IceCat^3^. In fact, currently the only supported distribution channels are source on Codeberg and AUR.

While it's not entirely newborn, it's still early days so we won't say "trust me bro" here - this is currently not ready for a non-technical audience but rather looking to engage with people who might already be building their own Firefox or Chromium forks. Continuing work on what we consider a production-ready browser while not rushing to ship a single binary is intentional.

I should add that even if we contrast with LibreWolf above, this is not at all meant as a dig or criticism. That we chose it as base and that it's the easiest to compare with is a testament both to how closely aligned we are and that Konform has a lot to thank Librewolf and the wider Firefox customization community for. Like they built from Librefox and Arkenfox to bring private browsing to a wider audience, so are we but the next to try help widen and deepen the browser ecosystem.

Doors open for users, testers and contributors. Looking forward to hear what you think and if there's anything missing.

^1^: One notable exception is allowing the bundled uBlock origin to perform filter lists updates.

^2^: This means that local full-page translation is also unavailable even if in principle it should be possible to bundle and run translations fully locally. It's just the way Mozilla built it. Patches towards allowing users to enable fully offline translations would be very welcome.

^3^: For now; I'm sure they will fix it too. Lots of respect for the GNUZilla/IceCat people.

https://codeberg.org/konform-browser

https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/konform-browser

Screenshot

For those of you still not satisfied with the Firefox fork ecosystem, we propose to you Konform Browser. Yes, it's another one about privacy and security with a canine logo. But I do think we have something to bring to the table.

This started as a fork of LibreWolf and now stands on its own four feet.

Some highlights to give an idea to those having used LibreWolf or another FF fork:

• Security: Konform is based on Firefox ESR. This means a more stable base without missing out on the latest security updates, in exchange for longer time waiting for the newest features from Firefox.
  • In this sense (and a few others), Konform Browser is closer to IceCat/GNUZilla than it is to Librewolf.
• Freedom: Konform allows a higher level of customization. It gives the user control and trusts you with that responsibility. Some examples:
  • Allows enabling dark mode and following system theming even when Resist Fingerprinting is enabled.
  • Allows installing your own self-built unsigned add-ons
  • "Spoof referer source" user configuration option
• Privacy and security: Disables all browser features relying on external network connections^1^.
  • "RemoteSettings" is completely disabled^2^.
  • No cloud "AI" integrations. You can run Konform on a disconnected network and not notice any reduced functionality.
  • All telemetry, metrics, and ads from the browser disabled.
  • OCSP turned off.
  • tcpdump and see the difference

Oh, and it actually builds on Arch, in contrast to IceCat^3^. In fact, currently the only supported distribution channels are source on Codeberg and AUR.

While it's not entirely newborn, it's still early days so we won't say "trust me bro" here - this is currently not ready for a non-technical audience but rather looking to engage with people who might already be building their own Firefox or Chromium forks. Continuing work on what we consider a production-ready browser while not rushing to ship a single binary is intentional.

I should add that even if we contrast with LibreWolf above, this is not at all meant as a dig or criticism. That we chose it as base and that it's the easiest to compare with is a testament both to how closely aligned we are and that Konform has a lot to thank Librewolf and the wider Firefox customization community for. Like they built from Librefox and Arkenfox to bring private browsing to a wider audience, so are we but the next to try help widen and deepen the browser ecosystem.

Doors open for users, testers and contributors. Looking forward to hear what you think and if there's anything missing.

^1^: One notable exception is allowing the bundled uBlock origin to perform filter lists updates.

^2^: This means that local full-page translation is also unavailable even if in principle it should be possible to bundle and run translations fully locally. It's just the way Mozilla built it. Patches towards allowing users to enable fully offline translations would be very welcome.

^3^: For now; I'm sure they will fix it too. Lots of respect for the GNUZilla/IceCat people.

https://codeberg.org/konform-browser

https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/konform-browser

Screenshot