Dr David MillsWhat do we want?
WebSerial and WebBluetooth in #Firefox
What don't we want?
Any AI shit in Firefox.
Emelia/Emi@dtl Hell, even a form of WebUSB where the device (or OS driver/config) needs to be explicit about enabling WebUSB access (which moots 99% of mozilla's "security concerns") would be great...
I've been tempted to do a "native extension" thing that implements webUSB-as-RPC with a 'shim' extension and small daemon, but that requires both spoons and time, of which I have neither... Someone already made one for the FileSystem API IIRC.
@becomethewaifu a shim, or something needing to be explicitly enabled would be great.
I'm fed up with running chrome in a VM just to flash a device, or talk to some sensors.
I'm fed up with running chrome in a VM just to flash a device, or talk to some sensors.
@dtl I just keep a copy of debian-chromium around and launch it with --temp-profile (which IIRC is a debian wrapper feature, it creates a new profile directory in /tmp before launching) for that stuff. But I'm also annoyed by it, hence the temptation to do the native-shim thing.
The idea is to utilize the native-RPC mechanism there to allow extensions to talk to native apps, but have an "app" whose sole purpose is to expose the WebUSB API over that RPC channel. The extension handles all the permission prompts, and the 'app' handles all the device restrictions (no "sensitive" device classes, mainly). The native side could also in theory be implemented in a way that allows its use as a portal by flatpak and friends for accessing specific USB device types via manifest permission, too (as an explicit dbus portal and/or a "libUSB compatible" drop-in shim, like pipewire-pulse)
@becomethewaifu let me know if you need a tester.
@dtl As I mentioned before, I unfortunately don't have either the spoons or the time to actually get around to writing that any time soon. I just have the "rough sketch" of how it would probably work. But will do if I ever manage to start it and get to a working state.
My current project list is about a mile long:
- Finish lego Notre Dame
- Finish that little laser-wood bookshelf diorama
- Build the Yukikaze PlaMo I just acquired
- Do Something with my model railway layout
- Put the "borrowed" RAM back into my SGI box and buy some new stuff for the IPX lunchbox
- Finish reverse engineering my radio scanner's memory format (I have basic channels down, but that's it) and implementing it in CHIRP
- More stuff I've forgotten about until I see the pile of parts lying around
@becomethewaifu same, too many projects not enough me.
Ravelights@dtl @becomethewaifu My goodness, just the sheer convenience WebBluetooth or WebSerial for updating is... you don't have to produce 5 apps for the various operating systems to push a file to your device. It's absolutely brilliant. I really, really wish Firefox supported it. ðŸ˜
Eloy.@becomethewaifu @dtl and for WebSerial