Windows XP N a Bust

mushupork writes "CNN has an interesting article about the just-released Windows XP N. From the article: 'Computer distributors and manufacturers are so far showing little interest in the new product, which compels consumers to choose their media player and download it from the Internet.' Could this open some eyes and increase interest in alternative (Linux, Mac) offerings?" Similar to an earlier article about the same issue from the PC Makers end.

I doubt it

[winkydink]

Why would the (lack of) avilability of a media player influence my OS decision?

Hey guys, I got a great idea.

[Stick_Fig]

So, Microsoft has a monopoly on a portion of the market. Let's force them, after they've already created this monopoly due to unfair business practices, to undo it through a third product nobody will buy.

Wastes your time in mind. Why would anyone buy a product with less in it when there's already an established product with more, when the more is really shitty? Tell me. I want to know.

The EU's decision, let's face it, was really fucking stupid and will do no good for anyone. Perhaps, instead, they should've done something more crippling, like take out Media Player in EVERY version and force people to download it. But no, that would hurt Microsoft more than not at all.

This really was a pointless act by the EU

[cloudturtle]

I'm not one to back M$, especially around here, but this whole Windows N thing just seems stupid. The EU doesn't like Media Player being coupled with the OS, so they make MS release a version of the OS sans MP, BUT then they still allow the old version to be sold AND they are the same price.

I don't know, maybe i have taken too many Econ classes, but this seems like it is a horribly inefficient punishment that will solve absolutely nothing -- hell it won't even give them those warm fuzzies you get from doing the right thing because it isn't the right thing.

The bottom line is that no rational consumer -- TFA mentioned like 2 people that this would not apply to -- would buy this version of windows. Sorry EU but you really missed the boat (or chunnel as it may be) on this one.

Re:Hey guys, I got a great idea.

[zxnos]

it is a waste. perhaps a better solution would be to have your pal and mine, clippy pop up during the first 5 launches of -replaceable program here - and say... ...'you know, there are other programs that do this, should i google "media players" now?'

Vote with your dollars

[Thunderstruck]

Perhaps we're looking at this the wrong way. The point of forcing an alternative offering is to prevent lock-in to certain software and media types. If I still used windows, I'd feel compelled to pick up a copy of N and use it purely to maintain my own personal dignity. At least then I could say I didn't PAY for WMP.

And let is encourage our windows using friends to do likewise.

Re:Why would it?

[jellomizer]

If the EU had Microsoft unbounded IE it would be a different story. Without IE you have a more secure system by default. Because most of the virus out there use the fact the browser is integrated into the OS as a quick and easy way to access the system.

Re:Weren't OEM's B*tching About This w/r/t Browser

[SteveX]

Personally I'd rather have Microsoft's choice as my default than have the alternatives.

What are the alternatives? Companies are going to pay Dell to be the default media player. Because they're paying to be a free product, you know there's a hook.

Would you rather have a free Microsoft media player, or a free RealPlayer that's going to remind you what a better experience you could be getting with the upgrade player every time you want to play some media?

At least, thanks to the amount of scrutiny Microsoft stuff gets, we know what we're getting.