Using #Linux#LinuxMint on my laptop, and so far, can run every single program I had on windows, either directly or via browser, except for one. #Line, the superapp you can't really escape if you live in #Japan (or #Taiwan, or #Thailand).
@idltw It really is. It and Telegram (for work) are the only two apps/platforms I am forced to use but wish I didn't have to. I've essentially fully left the Google/FB and Microsoft bubbles, thankfully
@ncoca Line publishes a Chrome extension (although not Firefox, strangely, since both browsers use the same extension language).
I tried earlier versions of it which were extremely limited in their functionality. Looks like they're claiming "3.0" is closer to feature parity.
I can't stand Line and have been able to avoid the need to have it on desktop. I also really don't like the idea of installing things that aren't open-source (although most websites running in my browser aren't, of course)
@ncoca If you end up using it, I would highly, highly recommend isolating it from anything else you do in Chromium by creating a separate Chromium profile specifically for it. The support for profiles in Chromium is not as good as in Firefox, but I think starting it from the CLI like this should create a new profile:
@auspicacious I'll look into these options, thanks! I have Chromium but avoiding using it as much as possible.
It is just a lot of hassle for an app I don't even really want to use. It's a little crazy that Line doesn't have a a browser version - even Skype, Telegram, Teams, Slack all do
@ncoca I'm speculating, but one of the reasons there might not be a Line browser version is the same reason there's no Signal browser version: it's not compatible with their security design.
Believe it or not, Line has made an effort to implement end-to-end encryption. It's considerably more difficult with different security tradeoffs to implement e2e on a website, although WhatsApp sort of has a workaround.
@ncoca I could also be pedantic and point out that both the Signal desktop app and the Line Chrome extension are, technically, "browser versions." Signal is an Electron app, so what you install is Chrome plus a bundle of HTML, JavaScript, etc., and a Chrome extension likewise is basically a website you download locally.
I might also speculate that Line doesn't have a browser version for a lot of other reasons, like a desire to control the execution environment or bundle a lot of bloat.
@auspicacious A few months late, but did find a solution - running the Line Chrome app on Chromium, which I use as a second browser. Not ideal, but I like to have the ability to do everything on my phone on my laptop, too, as a backup.
@ncoca That's a throwback! Which reminds me, some very long time ago you were asking about Chinese vegetarian food in Tokyo, and I think this little place might qualify: 香林坊 https://maps.app.goo.gl/SttTNT1R4QYJbdqZ8
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