[OPLINTECH] Default Browsers & Search Engines

[Chad Neeper]

One of the "pros" to using Brave is that it's visually and functionally
very similar to Google Chrome. Google Chrome and Brave are both based on
Chromium and Brave takes a rather light approach to the default GUI
interface. It makes switching from Chrome to Brave pretty easy for Chrome
users that are resistant to Firefox or some other more dissimilar-appearing
browser.

As a matter of default, we install both Google Chrome and Firefox on both
patron and staff computers. When we eventually do fully replace Google
Chrome with Brave, we'll still also include Firefox. Firefox and
Chromium-based browsers use different rendering engines. So if a user has
problems with a website in one browser, using a different rendering engine
sometimes sidesteps the issue.

______________________________
*Chad Neeper*
Senior Systems Engineer

*Level 9 Networks*
740-548-8070 (voice)
866-214-6607 (fax)

*Full IT/Computer consulting services -- Specialized in public libraries*


On Wed, May 27, 2026 at 1:55 PM Anthony Sims via OPLINTECH <
oplintech at lists.oplin.org> wrote:

> From the patrons, I don’t think they noticed.  From the staff, some of
> them switched over willingly, others begrudgingly, still others are too
> used to whatever browser/search engine they are using and don’t want to
> change.
>
>
>
> Anthony
>
> Technology Coordinator
>
> ext. 1024
>
>
>
> *From:* Sam Lewis <slewis at worthingtonlibraries.org>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, May 27, 2026 1:51 PM
> *To:* Anthony Sims <asims at logancountylibraries.org>; OPLINTECH (
> OPLINTECH at lists.oplin.org) <oplintech at lists.oplin.org>
> *Subject:* RE: Default Browsers & Search Engines
>
>
>
> *Caution:* External Email
>
>
>
> Thanks for sharing! I wonder, did you receive much feedback from patrons
> as part of this change? Or did they not really notice?
>
>
>
> *Sam Lewis*
> Systems Administrator
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* Anthony Sims <asims at logancountylibraries.org>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, May 27, 2026 1:18 PM
> *To:* Sam Lewis <slewis at worthingtonlibraries.org>; OPLINTECH (
> OPLINTECH at lists.oplin.org) <oplintech at lists.oplin.org>
> *Subject:* RE: Default Browsers & Search Engines
>
>
>
> Hi, Sam!
>
>
>
> I made our patron-available computers’ default browser Firefox and set the
> search engine to DDG (even in Chrome) many months ago.  I believe both of
> them are much more secure.  I’m still working on getting the staff to do
> the same on their computers!
>
>
>
> Anthony
>
> Technology Coordinator
>
> ext. 1024
>
>
>
> *From:* OPLINTECH <oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org> *On Behalf Of *Sam
> Lewis via OPLINTECH
> *Sent:* Wednesday, May 27, 2026 1:09 PM
> *To:* OPLINTECH (OPLINTECH at lists.oplin.org) <oplintech at lists.oplin.org>
> *Subject:* [OPLINTECH] Default Browsers & Search Engines
>
>
>
> *Caution:* External Email
>
>
>
> With Google choosing to fall on its own sword and fully replace the
> search box
> <https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/19/google-search-as-you-know-it-is-over/>
> with an AI prompt field, has anyone considered (or moved forward with!)
> managing the default search engine and/or web browser away from Google and
> Chrome – for staff and patron computers? Perhaps to alternatives
> <https://www.zdnet.com/article/google-search-alternatives-no-ai/> such as
> DuckDuckGo and Brave?
>
>
>
> Google has been the name of the game for search for so long, it is kind of
> sad to see it turn out this way, as sad as one can be for a
> multi-trillion-dollar corporation.
>
>
>
> *Sam Lewis*
> Systems Administrator
>
> www.worthingtonlibraries.org
>
> Worthington Libraries | 820 High Street | Worthington, Ohio 43085
> P: 614.807.2619 | F: 614.807.2629
>
>
>
>
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