Dillo 3.2.0: The Lean, Mean Browsing Machine

Dillo 3.2.0: The Lean, Mean Browsing Machine

Welcome, open-source enthusiasts and web browser aficionados! Today, we're diving deep into the world of lightweight browsing with an exciting update on the Dillo web browser. The Dillo project celebrating 25 years of Dillo [6] has just released version 3.2.0 on January 18, 2025, bringing a host of new features and improvements to this compact yet powerful browser. Let's explore what makes Dillo unique and why it might be the perfect addition to your digital toolkit.

Introduction to Dillo

Dillo is a multi-platform graphical web browser that has carved out a niche for itself in the open-source community. Known for its speed, small footprint, and focus on personal security and privacy, Dillo has been a favorite among users who prioritize efficiency and minimalism in their browsing experience[1].

Originally developed with the FLTK 1.3 GUI toolkit, Dillo has evolved over the years, maintaining its core philosophy of providing a fast and secure browsing experience without the bloat often associated with mainstream browsers.

Project Objectives

The Dillo project's primary objectives include:

1. Speed and Efficiency: Delivering a lightning-fast browsing experience, even on older or resource-constrained hardware.

2. Minimal Footprint: Keeping the browser's size and resource usage to a minimum.

3. Security and Privacy: Prioritizing user data protection and safe browsing practices.

4. Cross-Platform Compatibility: Ensuring Dillo runs smoothly across various operating systems and architectures.

5. Simplicity: Maintaining a clean, intuitive interface without unnecessary complexities.

What's New in Dillo 3.2.0

The 3.2.0 release introduces a range of enhancements, including new features, configuration options, and bug fixes. 

Key Improvements:

 Math Formula Rendering: 

     SVG support for math formulas and other simple SVG images has been added by patching the nanosvg library. 

     This significantly improves the rendering of math equations within Wikipedia articles.

 WebP Image Support:

     Optional support for WebP images has been integrated via libwebp. 

     The `ignore_image_formats` option allows users to disable support for specific image formats, enhancing security in case of known vulnerabilities (like recent CVEs in libwebp).

 "Book-like" Scrolling:

     A new "scrollbar page navigation" mode has been introduced. 

         When enabled (`scrollbar_page_mode = YES`), clicking on the vertical scrollbar scrolls the page up or down by a full page. 

         This facilitates smoother reading by minimizing mouse wheel usage.

         The `scroll_page_overlap` option controls the amount of overlap between pages during this scrolling.

 Left-Side Scrollbar:

     The `scrollbar_on_left` option allows users to position the vertical scrollbar on the left side of the page. 

     This may improve readability for some users by placing the scrollbar closer to the start of the text.

 Custom Link Actions:

     The `link_action` option enables users to define custom commands for opening URLs. 

         These commands appear in the link menu when right-clicking a hyperlink. 

         Multiple entries can be defined for various actions.

 Improved Zoom Controls:

     Basic zoom controls have been added: 

         Ctrl +: Zoom in

         Ctrl -: Zoom out

         Ctrl 0: Reset to default zoom level 

     The `zoom_factor` option sets the default zoom level. 

 Live Reload Support:

     The SIGUSR1 signal now triggers a page reload. 

     This enables live previewing while editing web pages. 

     Example using the `entr` tool: 

bash         ls index.html | entr killall -USR1 dillo

Platform Compatibility

The Dillo browser boasts impressive cross-platform compatibility:

Linux: Supports various distributions, with official builds for Ubuntu.

BSD: Official FreeBSD support, with potential compatibility for other BSD variants.

macOS: Now officially supported, bringing Dillo to Apple users.

Windows: While not officially supported, community-maintained Windows ports are available.

Atari: A unique port bringing modern browsing to classic Atari systems.

Both Alpine Linux and Arch Linux repositories offer the latest version:

Contributing to Dillo

Developers interested in contributing to the Dillo project can get involved in several ways:

1. GitHub Repository: The project is now hosted on GitHub, making it easy for developers to fork, contribute, and submit pull requests[1].

2. Mailing List: Join the Dillo mailing list to discuss development, report bugs, and share ideas.

3. Plugin Development: Create new plugins using Dillo's plugin API to extend the browser's functionality.

4. Documentation: Help improve user guides, developer documentation, and translations.

5. Testing and Bug Reporting: Assist in identifying and reporting issues across different platforms.

Known Issues and Limitations

While Dillo has made significant strides, users should be aware of some limitations:

- Limited JavaScript Support: Dillo's lightweight nature means it doesn't fully support complex JavaScript-heavy websites.

- Incomplete CSS Support: Some modern CSS features may not render correctly.

- No Built-in Video Playback: Users need external plugins or applications for video content.

- Limited Extension Ecosystem: Compared to mainstream browsers, Dillo has a smaller selection of extensions and plugins.

Comparison with Similar Browsers

When comparing Dillo 3.2.0 to other lightweight browsers like Konqueror and Falkon, several key differences emerge:

Engine and Rendering: Dillo uses a custom engine, prioritizing speed and minimal resource usage. This contrasts with Konqueror, which employs KHTML/WebKit, and Falkon, which utilizes QtWebEngine. Dillo's approach results in extremely fast rendering speeds, especially on older hardware.

JavaScript and Feature Support: Dillo offers limited JavaScript support, focusing on basic web functionality. This differs significantly from Konqueror and Falkon, which provide full JavaScript support and more comprehensive feature sets. While this might limit Dillo's compatibility with complex modern websites, it contributes to its lightweight nature.

Memory Usage: Dillo stands out with its remarkably low memory footprint, significantly lower than both Konqueror and Falkon, which have moderate memory requirements. This makes Dillo an excellent choice for systems with limited resources.

Extension and Plugin Ecosystem: Dillo offers basic extension support, primarily through its plugin API. This is more limited compared to Konqueror's moderate extension capabilities and Falkon's extensive add-on ecosystem. Users prioritizing customizability might find Konqueror or Falkon more suitable.

Platform Support: Dillo boasts wide platform compatibility, including Linux, BSD, macOS, and even Atari systems. Konqueror is primarily KDE-focused, making it most at home in KDE environments. Falkon, being based on Qt, offers good cross-platform support but may not match Dillo's breadth of system compatibility.

User Interface: Dillo maintains a minimalist interface focused on simplicity and efficiency. Konqueror offers a more feature-rich interface integrated with KDE, while Falkon provides a modern, customizable UI that strikes a balance between simplicity and functionality.

In summary, Dillo 3.2.0 excels in speed, minimal resource usage, and broad platform support, making it ideal for older hardware or minimalist setups. While it may lack some advanced features found in Konqueror or Falkon, its focus on simplicity and efficiency gives it a unique advantage for users prioritizing these aspects in their browsing experience.

Conclusion

Dillo 3.2.0 represents a significant step forward for this lightweight browser project. Its commitment to speed, security, and minimalism continues to make it a valuable option in the diverse landscape of web browsers. Whether you're running a resource-constrained system, prioritizing privacy, or simply appreciate efficient software, Dillo offers a compelling browsing experience that's worth exploring.

As web technologies evolve, Dillo faces the ongoing challenge of balancing its lightweight philosophy with the demands of modern web standards. However, its dedicated community and clear vision ensure that it remains a relevant and valuable project in the open-source ecosystem.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is based on the latest available data as of January 20, 2025. Web browser technologies and open-source projects are subject to rapid changes. Users should consult the official Dillo documentation and community resources for the most up-to-date information on features, compatibility, and known issues.

References

1. Dillo, a multi-platform graphical web browser

2. Dillo Browser

3. Info | dillo-dev@mailman3.com

4. Dillo plugin for man pages

5. Dillo 3.2.0 Release Notes

6. 25 years of Dillo

7. dillo's profile - Liberapay

8. Dillo 3.2 Open-Source Web Browser Released... - 9to5Linux