Browser choice in Linux Lite 2.2

[gold_finger]

I do have to say however, you speak of Google as if it took your first born. If you do not mind me asking, why such the rage against Google? Something terrible must have happened I assume?

Sorry, didn't have chance to get back on this sooner, but feel that's a reasonable question and deserves an answer considering the admittedly harsh tone of my prior post.

No, Google has not done anything bad to me personally.  They bore the brunt of my general frustration, but they are just one cog in the machine.

For me, it basically all boils down to this:  I do not trust our leaders in government (from either party) and many large corporations (particularly the "too big to fail and jail" banks).  In my eyes, they have proven themselves to be corrupt to the core and they only act to enhance their own personal wealth and power.  Therefore, they are not to be believed about any supposedly innocent reasons for vacuuming up massive data dossiers on all citizens (which Google is a major contributor to).  This type of thing is an incredibly powerful and dangerous tool of control and that is the true purpose of it.

Most of us will never be the targets of the assorted obvious misuses of the data, like being the target of political blackmail.  Instead, for us mere peasants, they will find plenty of new and innovative ways to bleed more money from us.  We'll all have our own personalized new fines, surcharges, taxes, insurance rate increases, etc. to discourage certain behaviors and habits the data reveals.  Eat more fast food than some unknown limit they decide upon?  Mysterious health insurance increases for you.  Nice new car with "convenient" GPS and wifi reveals to the great data mothership that you drive a little too fast or don't wear your seatbelt -- fine in the mail and/or car insurance increase for you.  And on, and on, and on.  But ofcourse, it will all be for our own good:  to make us healthier, to make us safer, and the sure-fire winner -- "for the children".  I think most people have not considered things like this at all ... and they should.