[Info-librejs] IceCat 60.2.0 Pre-release

[Ruben]

GNUzilla is the GNU version of the Mozilla suite, and GNU IceCat is the
GNU version of the Firefox browser. Its main advantage is an ethical
one: it is entirely free software. While the Firefox source code from
the Mozilla project is free software, they distribute and recommend
non-free software as plug-ins and addons. Also their trademark license
restricts distribution in ways that hinder freedom 0.

GNU IceCat  has multiple practical advantages as well, such as better
privacy and security settings, extensive blocking of sites that may
track the user's browsing habits, or the inclusion of LibreJS and other
extensions that help browse without running non-free javascript.

https://www.gnu.org/software/gnuzilla/

GPG key ID:D7E04784 GNU IceCat releases
Fingerprint: A573 69A8 BABC 2542 B5A0 368C 3C76 EED7 D7E0 4784
https://savannah.gnu.org/project/memberlist-gpgkeys.php?group=gnuzilla

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This is a pre-release for version 60.2.0 of GNU IceCat, available at
http://alpha.gnu.org/gnu/gnuzilla/60.2.0/

This release contains substantial design and usability changes from the
previous major version (v52.x ESR) so I'm publishing it at alpha.gnu.org
to request testing and comments before moving it to ftp.gnu.org.
Source Code plus binaries for GNU/Linux x86 and x86_64 are available.

The main differences (other than those provided from upstream changes
from v52.x to v60.x) are:

 * LibreJS 7.x, now based in the WebExtensions API. It currently
provides a very similar set of features compared with the version
shipped with IceCat 52.x but testing, comments and advice are welcome.

 * A set of companion extensions for LibreJS by Nathan Nichols
(https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/user/NateN1222/) are
pre-installed, and provide workarounds to use some services at USPS,
RSF.org, SumOfUs.org, pay.gov, McDonald's, goteo.org and Google Docs
without using nonfree JavaScript.

 * A series of configuration changes and tweaks were applied to ensure
that IceCat does not initiate network connections that the user has not
explicitly requested. This implies not downloading feeds, updates,
blacklists or any other similar data needed during startup.

 * A new homepage shows the most important privacy and freedom options
available, with explanations for the user to tune IceCat's behavior to
their specific needs.

 * We no longer include SpyBlock, which was IceCat's fork of AdBlockPlus
that allowed to block all third-party requests during "Private Browsing"
mode. Now, we include an extension that blocks all third party requests
by default, and provides a simple interface that allows to whitelist
specific third-party resources on a per-site basis. This change is the
most significant usability change from IceCat 52.x and I'd like to get
testers to provide an opinion on it. One of the reasons for its
inclusion is that unlike other blockers it doesn't need to download any
files to do its job, thus avoiding the previously mentioned unrequested
network connections.

Thanks to Giorgio Maone, Nathan Nichols, Nyk Nyby and Zach Wick for
their contribution to LibreJS and IceCat, and happy testing!