IE8 Update Forces IE As Default Browser 311
We discussed Microsoft making IE8 a critical update a while back; but then the indication was that the update gave users a chance to choose whether or not to install it. Now I Don't Believe in Imaginary Property writes in with word that the update not only does not ask, but it makes IE the default browser. "Microsoft has a new tactic in the browser wars. They're having the 'critical' IE8 update make IE the default browser without asking. Yes, you can change it back, but it doesn't ask you if you want IE8 or if you want it as the default browser, it makes the decisions for you. Opera might have a few more complaints to make to the EU antitrust board after this, but Microsoft will probably be able to drag out the proceedings for years, only to end up paying a small fine. If you have anyone you've set up with a more secure alternative browser, you might want to help check their settings after this."
Re:Whooooooooosh! (Score:5, Funny)
Firefox makes IE 8 your default browser in Linux? That's kinda odd.
Some info about this (Score:2, Funny)
I was actually "released" from the IE8 team for precisely my opposition to this action.
The day I found out I no longer had to show up to Redmond, the sun was low in the sky and the light mist that always seems to hover over the Puget Sound area was turning into a cold drizzle. The drizzle would eventually become snow and we'd have two days straight of spring snow.
I pulled my Fiat into the parking lot and was met by two of my teammates. They were waiting to warn me of the incoming news of which they had only heard the very basics. I was to be fired and marched out. It was to make an example of me and to impress on the remaining team members not to rock the boat. IE8 would take over as default browser, no matter what any ruggedly handsome senior developer thought.
My manager met me in my office and handed me 6 cardboard boxes. He thanked me for the years of work I had put in, and was sorry that things had reached this point. The my sentence was handed down from above, and he had done his best to lobby on my behalf. But he didn't share my feelings about the default browser action.
I took down my patent cubes and unopened boxes of shipped products. My books were packed up into the cardboard boxes and I took a few paper clips and pens as mementos. My final official act was to grab two bottles of Talking Rain. Raspberry and Lemon Lime. And with these, I walked with my manager and security guard to my tiny, snow-covered car.
The decision to do this with IE8 came as a product of much deliberation. It is no accident. They took action against me personally because I had the audacity to speak out. I always heard about their anti-competitiveness, but didn't really understand its reality until that snowy day.
Re:Does anyone fact check here? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Death to IE6! (Score:5, Funny)
80%?
What's your website, an IE6 fan club?
Re:Death to IE6! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Death to IE6! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:You fucking suck... Slashdot (Score:2, Funny)
I try to think of Slashdot as a humor site. It helps.
IE 8 didn't force itself on me but... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Death to IE6! (Score:5, Funny)
Dude, he said 20K visitors. There is NO way that an IE6 fan club has that many visitors.
Re:Death to IE6! (Score:2, Funny)
Dude, he said 20K visitors. There is NO way that an IE6 fan club has that many visitors.
or do they... http://www.saveie6.com/ [saveie6.com]