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What's the point of having these massive javascript virtual machines & webgl systems in our browsers? How does having a separate implementation of a specification help us build a safer, more open web?

My theory is that Mozilla and Google are in a race to develop the most advanced html5 engines because they know that if a killer html game or app gets developed in their browser, everyone who wants to use the app will switch to them while the other implementations tries to catch up.

It will also prevent new browsers from trying to pop up, unless they simply fork and try to keep up with one of the two major engines. Google and Mozilla know they can outpace any competitors that are trying to innovate in the web space by having the "latest" html5 features integrated. In example, unless Microsoft pours a bunch of money into it, or Internet Explorer forks Mozilla or Google, they can pretty much count that competitor out.

Is this supporting an open web?

What's the problem with focusing on open source plugin virtual machines that can work in every browser regardless of that browser's version?



> What's the point of having these massive javascript virtual machines & webgl systems in our browsers?

Because the safety model of JavaScript has been sound for the past few years.

> How does having a separate implementation of a specification help us build a safer, more open web?

What seperate implementation of what specification? If you're referring to asm.js, asm.js is just JavaScript, any browser can run it. The "specification" is a gift to other engine implementers to super charge evaluation of compliant code.

> Is this supporting an open web?

http://asmjs.org/spec/latest/ http://code.google.com/p/v8/issues/detail?id=2599


It is basically as if Flash Player became a browser.

Exactly, an open source standardized VM would be ideal, then you would have a choice of languages as well.




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