EU to Microsoft: Offer Other Browsers

[AndrewMD]

Microsoft had an answer to EU years ago, it was called the Plus Pack.

Microsoft needs to make ONE version of Windows, then charge for the add-on packs

1. Plus Pack for Home $99.99
2. Plus Pack for Business $99.99
3. Plus Pack for Home/Media $149.99
4. Plus Pack Ultimate $249.99

Windows 7 Shell Edition = $199.99
Shell edition includes, huh.. nothing!

 

[Guest]

I use Firefox and I have installed some add ons, when a workmate sees my laptop running firefox and sees how easy i can find address through minimaps aad on, or preview web pages using "Cool Preview" they say they would like their machines do the same. So many people use IE because its there already in the machine, not because they like. They simply dont know the existence of other browser they are not worried about changing of broswer they simply use what is in their hands.

 

[gleek]

It warms my heart and restores my faith in America to read such an endless logical and sensicle stream of thought regarding the EU's demands about Internet Explorer.
I'm thinking of petitioning my senator in forcing BMW to remove their radios as aftermarket companies have had a difficult time competeing in such an unfair environ.
Truthfully everyone. You're wide of the mark. It has to do with money. Microsoft has a lot. The EU wants some of the pie.
We can also look at blaming the fruitbake attorney Gen from Massachusetts who shook down Microsoft previosly over the media player.
Lawyers blow.

 

[eddieroolz]

If a user is too stupid to download and use other browsers, then trusting them to make a good decision at bootup when they're presented with a splash screen is not a good idea.

Besides, 22% market share for Firefox alone should tell those EU thickheads that enough people see the alternative and are still actively switching. IE's market share's been in decline for more than two years now; eventually nature will take its course. No need to alter it forcibly by forcing MS to advertise a competitor's broswer...

Hence the word "THIRD PARTY". Those EU thickheads don't seem to understand that word.

 

[eddieroolz]

Oh, and I also hope that EU will drop this whole "we're helping the people" mantra. They didn't hold a referendum, nor they did consult with the people living within the EU. In short, they're just doing it because they want the hard-earned money.

If Opera brought a complaint and a suit against the dominant, Microsoft, and the EU thickheads passed a judgement favoring Opera, then I would also expect the EU to pass a judgement favoring Microsoft if they bring a case against Apple and its domination in the portable music player market. Because one can claim that the iPod has a monopoly on the market. Would the EU commissioner strike against Apple? Knowing the EU, I highly doubt it.

Basically, this is simply a case of selective perception. The EU commissioners only perceive what they want to see; they ignore everything else even if it is true. How sad.

 

[ohim]

who the hell runs EU commisions ? bunch of retards that want some MS $$ for free. they should spend monney on other important things like polution or something not on trails vs MS.

 

[ossie]

The keyword that's missed altogether is integrated and not bundled. The m$ luser has no choice to uninstall exploder and use another browser instead. For example, while m$ office is running, even if the user chose another default browser, still exploder is opened by accessing a link.
Is someone remembering the purchase of FoxPro by m$? The first move on the new "version" was to make it "blue" and don't run on other OS-es except m$-dos. A similar tactic is used with "exploder only" websites, using non-standard compliant extensions or blocking non-exploder users altogether.
While the EU is a bunch of bureaucrats, this is one of a few cases in which they nailed the problem right. It's to be seen if they are capable to also find a correct solution.

"The Internet? We are not interested in it"
-- Bill Gates, 1993

"Sometimes we do get taken by surprise. For example, when the Internet came along, we had it as a fifth or sixth priority."
-- Bill Gates, Jul, 1998

"We had planned to integrate a Web browser with our operating system as far back as 1993"
Microsoft (27 Jul 1998, filing its first court responses to federal antitrust)

 

[eccentric909]

For example, while m$ office is running, even if the user chose another default browser, still exploder is opened by accessing a link.

On my machine links in MS Word open in Firefox, same goes with MS Outlook.. links sent to me via e-mail open in Firefox as well.

 

[gleek]

Dear "ossie"
Have you ever heard the phrase "non sequitur" ?
How does it follow that because the browser is "integrated", find me one that isn't/doesn't, that it then violates some notion of fairness and creates a monopoly.
You are ALWAYS free at any point to utilize a different browser.
Or is it that you've been incapacitated from post traumatic stress after having the default explorer appear at times.

 

[duzcizgi]

I'd like to see how they'd be downloading the 3rd party browser without any browser installed in Windows. Hehe...
Buy a PC.
Hook it to internet & Power.
Go to the nearest internet cafe.
Download the 3rd party browser from there.
Have them write on a CD or flash, along with lots of malware.
Come home.
Install the 3rd party browser along with lots of malware.
Enjoy your new computer.

 

[duzcizgi]

Forgot to mention, the malware comes from the previous users of that computer. Not from the 3rd party vendor.
Just to avoid a flamewar, I find it's necessary to make it clear.

 

[Niva]

Next the EU will take Microsoft to court because Internet Explorer does not run natively in linux.

That's right, you heard it here first!

 

[hillarymakesmecry]

I don't understand why there are "browser wars" in the first place. Who cares what browser other people are using? Having browsers comete for market share is a waste of programming dollars.

 

[pochacco007]

the problem is that internet explorer is a fully featured product when included on the windows operating system. i understand peoples point of view that it does make sense to include the browser as people can download other third party browsers from the net. but there is a problem.

if windows includes an already full featured browser, then the need to download a third party product is no longer a need. additionally, it encourages people not to care about other browsers as they wouldn't bother to check out other browsers as they become accustomed to using the built in browers [internet explorer].

the problem is that internet explorer is a full featured item. if it was okay to include the program, then why not get rid of less featured items on windows os and have ms include a full feature item for the os. what i'm pointing at is why not get rid of notepad, and wordpad and just have a full featured office xp or at least the full featured ms word.

someone mentioned a car analogy of cars having to include a manufacture wheels and not from their competitors. the problem with this analogy is that most often an included package isn't a full featured item. what is often included is a typical or average product. so when you buy your car from a dealer, the included tires aren't high quality or high grade products but are rather subpar or average based tires. of course there are options for getting better tires but you pay for them.

ms is doing what they do best and that is monopolizing. anyone who's been in the computer days from the 80's will tell you that they have spent millions of dollars on trying to build their monopoly empire.

 

[eddieroolz]

You all do realize that if the user is ignorant enough not to care what browser he/she's using, then they likely won't bother with the competition, right?

It's the same thing with Ubuntu and OSX. Firefox and Safari come bundled default, and it encourages the users not to try anything else.

As for the person who claimed that IE is integrated into Windows; Have you ever, EVER heard of a thing called Vista and IE7? They separated the damn thing from Explorer in Vista. And now for Windows Update Vista uses another process. You don't ever, ever need to use Internet Explorer if you don't want to!!

 

[Herbert_HA]

That really is an idiotic conception.
The problem is not that Microsoft bundle IE with Windows, the problem is that IE is a terrible browser, not complient with internet standards, wich make life hell to those of us who work with webdesign.
So the should not force Microsoft to cripple their product, Windows, but make them respect the rules and agreements of the internet as it is today and make a browser that works properly.

 

[Guest]

Hey, don't worry guys, this EU socialist crap is coming your way - just as EU tells MS not to bundle IE with Windows, Washington will tell Detroit which cars you WILL drive, and Apple will only allow me to use one browser on my iPhone - s****y Safari, version of which is trying to install itself on my Windows machine every time I start iTunes. At least I am allowed to use Opera on a desktop...

 

[AndrewMD]

@pochacco007

Your car example is weak... My Acura TL has a Radio in it that I CANNOT REPLACE with an Aftermarket version. Why, because it integrates all of the climate controls, Navigation and phone services into one box. It is not iPod compatible and that really erks me.

According to the EU, I should be able to sue them since I am being restricted and forced to use their radio.

Last time I checked, when I start Windows and Internet Explorer, I can navigate to Firefox's website and download it. Windows doesn't tell me it is not compatible nor does it tell me I am not allowed.

The EU needs to back down on this and force the third party browsers to innovate and advertise.

 

[pochacco007]

"Your car example is weak... My Acura TL has a Radio in it that I CANNOT REPLACE with an Aftermarket version. Why, because it integrates all of the climate controls, Navigation and phone services into one box. It is not iPod compatible and that really erks me...." andrewmd

i'm confused at this guys comment above. what i'm confused is that at one instance you disapprove of integration, as given the point by your experience with your cars audio/radio,... components. yet you are supporting the idea of integration of internet explorer for windows os users.

it's true that you can get internet browsers online and not use the internet browser included on windows. but knowing that one is already included would you bother getting an alternative browser? i understand to most of the users posting on this topic will say yes because most of us are computer literat and know the problems that exists. but remember about those who don't have much computer knowledge nor care about them as most of the users here.

go back to the car example. if suppose a car included your basic audio function, most people won't bother to change whatever was included because whatever was included is fine enough. going back to the comparison, if internet explorer was included, most people would use it and not care about other third party browsers because what was included is good enough. again, this is going to be a hard concept to most of the people responding and reading these posts because we're computer smart and know about them, but to your average none computer smart people, they don't care.

so if we assume most of the population is not computer smart, then the idea of monopoly is there because ms prevents possible third party sales by preventing the acknowledgement of third party web browsers from people.

 

[AndrewMD]

[citation][nom]pochacco007[/nom]

My point from my previous post was to illustrate that my new Acura uses propriety components and standards which restrict my ability to install an aftermarket radio system. Older Acura(s) (which I have owned) used an industry standard opening call DIN. All of the radios you find at your local store adhere to this standard. Which means you could install a Pioneer radio from Best Buy into the older generation Acuras with no problems.

Microsoft in this example is the older Acura. Microsoft does not force you to use Internet Explorer. You have the ability to download and install other Browsers.

Now if Microsoft FORCED the use of IE on users, as in you could not download or install third party browsers, then this would be something the EU would have footing on.

At this point the EU does not have a case against Microsoft, but of course they will use whom ever they can to fabricate what they need done. Blaming the consumers for using IE is not a reason.