Microsoft to randomize browser ballot for EU

[rsvr85]

Ever since the EU decided to come down on Microsoft for their monopolistic ways, Microsoft has been trying their best to appease them. In order to settle the dispute about whether bundling Internet Explorer as Windows' default browser was fair practice, Microsoft initially proposed a browser-less OS. This solution would soon shift to a ballot screen, allowing users to select whichever browser they feel most comfortable with. Of course, this led to more complaints, as the ballot would appear in, none other than, IE itself.

More...

 

[Gornot]

I see that, as usual, EU don't have better things to do than attack Microsoft... I mean, like, COME ON, a company shouldn't create products for it's own operating system just because there's a lot of competition? Then why not attack more bundles like Windows Media Player, Paint, THE WHOLE FRIGGIN' UI?!
Sorry for the caps, it's just that... I have been hearing about EU for years in this country and they have been nothing but troubling assholes!

This is ridiculous! If someone doesn't like IE, then install a new browser! If IE keeps bugging them, turn it off completely (Turn windows features on or off) and done!
I already have a choise which browser I want to use, it's not like I'm living under a friggin' rock and have never heard of crap such as Opera.
Pushing users to reconsider their browser choice isn't fair, not Microsoft bundling IE into their OWN operating systems. That's the stupid EU for you... So why can Apple bundle Safari in their OS, Google bundle Chrome in their new OS?

And what about smaller or newer companies that make less popular browsers and don't have the tons of cash to spend on marketing and speedy updates, who may for this reason focus on making a good, safe and stable browser all the way instead of pushing their products out on the market and then updating it every few weeks (Firefox, Opera).
This is insane!

 

[Win7User512]

I see that, as usual, EU don't have better things to do than attack Microsoft... I mean, like, COME ON, a company shouldn't create products for it's own operating system just because there's a lot of competition? Then why not attack more bundles like Windows Media Player, Paint, THE WHOLE FRIGGIN' UI?!
Sorry for the caps, it's just that... I have been hearing about EU for years in this country and they have been nothing but troubling assholes!

Don't worry, they attach Intel too.

I wonder if that version of 7 will randomize and give me Netscape Navigator...no?

 

[Lordbob75]

Well.... Maybe the EU will accept this and I can stop hearing about it.

Let me give an example of what the EU is asking of MS. This would be like the EU forcing Apple to offer a choice operating systems on their iPods (such as android or another media player os) because they promote their own products by putting that on there.
This is like making a company not to put their name on a product because it gives them unfair advertising. Or not putting the car manufacturers symbol on their cars.

I mean really. I guess this is better than the EU banning oddly shaped grocery products.
BBC NEWS | UK | Supermarket's 'ugly' veg campaign

~Lordbob

 

[severedsolo]

does it really matter? the fact is that people who dont really know/care about the different browsers will plump for IE because they know it, everyone else will pick their favourite

 

[MattRainier]

Like it's that difficult to use IE once - to download FireFox. LOL...I guess it is.

I deliberately uninstalled Opera from my system because of the complaining that the makers of Opera were doing. I'd rather use IE than a browser from people who don't understand what 'capitalism' is.

And you'll notice that none of them mention anything about Mac OS X coming with Safari preinstalled as the default browser...

 

[johnwillyums]

Funny how all these democcatic countries keep suing MS for it's dodgy business practices.
Basically the way MS operates is illegal in quite few areas of the world.
Get real guys this about much more than tiny browsers wanting to gain market share.

Criticism of Microsoft - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[MattRainier]

Funny how all these democcatic countries keep suing MS for it's dodgy business practices.
Basically the way MS operates is illegal in quite few areas of the world.
Get real guys this about much more than tiny browsers wanting to gain market share.

Criticism of Microsoft - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Please. For one, MS isn't a monopoly - they don't WANT to be one. Different rules apply to monopolies, and monopolies are far more regulated. Ask Progress Energy, the company that supplies electricity to the Raleigh area where I live. They can't get nearly as much profit now as they could if they have competition - because they're a monopoly.

Since MS isn't a monopoly, none of it makes sense - and Apple has certainly had its share of 'shady business practices'. Ask Verizon, Google, and Motorola - they all got screwed over BIG time by Apple. But you don't see these European companies suing Apple - no, they go for the guy with the most money. It's simple greed.

 

[johnwillyums]

Opera and Google signed the complaint against MS.
That draws the attention of EU regulators to examine MSs business practices and find them in contravention of the law,
However the law is a two edged sword and Google could find itself in a similar situation as it continues it's plan for world domination.
Can't imagine Opera being in any kind of monopoly situation ever
Perhaps Apple gets a pass because it makes an entire product but I think they are the worst of the lot. Every Apple product seems to require you to spend money with Apple

 

[poin2]

The whole browser thing started once upon a time when there was major ad revenue to be had from people not changing their default home page.

They should perhaps force MS to do something with the default home page, but which browser someone uses is somewhat irrelevant now. As long as IE can be removed, that should be enough.

They should be a lot more concerned about personal info places like MS are accumulating. A place like MS could now in some cases peruse your email (Hotmail), track your finances and shopping habits (Bing cashback), know when you upgrade or change your computer (activation), track your web searches (Bing), get your address & school info etc. (via what you submit to purchase student upgrade deals), you name it.

That much centralized info ability without accountability is getting a little scary. And whether or not they're making a couple pennies financially each time someone doesn't change their browser home page is, well, somewhat minor now in comparison.

 

[johnwillyums]

Google knows all that stuff about me.:shock:

 

[Gornot]

Can't imagine Opera being in any kind of monopoly situation ever

Exactly

Google knows all that stuff about me.:shock:

Pssst, look out the window, they're out there XD

 

[Zidane24]

Mozilla is the one who complained that the list was biased since the list always had Apple Safari at the top (back when it was alphabatized)

Microsoft still wins: it will be after the new year before the ballot is issued over Windows Update. By then people would have already gotten their favorite browser or settled with IE8 (moreso here).

 

[swarfega]

I never saw a ballot screen with my copy.

 

[severedsolo]

its not actually been introduced yet, they are probably doing it in the new year

 

[Zidane24]

I never saw a ballot screen with my copy.

It will be on Windows Update here shortly (just for you EU folks...)

 

[severedsolo]

so does that mean that the people who already have Win 7 (EU) will get asked what browser they want? thats ridiculous.... surely you would have already put your favourite browser on?

 

[Zidane24]

so does that mean that the people who already have Win 7 (EU) will get asked what browser they want? thats ridiculous.... surely you would have already put your favourite browser on?

Indeed...go and tell Opera, Apple, Mozilla, and the EU commission that

It seems they didn't get the memo...

 

[severedsolo]

is this going to be an "important" or an "optional" update? does anyone know? and i really hope there is a cancel button.... im not reinstalling Firefox just to keep the EU happy,

 

[Zidane24]

is this going to be an "important" or an "optional" update? does anyone know? and i really hope there is a cancel button.... im not reinstalling Firefox just to keep the EU happy,

There isn't a definite answer yet but it appears to not be an optional update BUT you can just exit the ballot screen without any reprocussions