Microsoft Agrees To EU Browser Ballot Screen 438
An anonymous reader sends in coverage from Ars Technica of Microsoft's capitulation to the EU, after European regulators requested that Redmond bundle multiple browsers on new PCs. "Microsoft has decided that the last thing it needs in this economy is some combination of the following: fines, legal bills, and a delay of Windows 7. It has offered to adopt the European Union's preferred solution for browser competition: a browser selector screen at startup."
Re:In before the morons (Score:3, Interesting)
perhaps MS should create a system GUI similar to synaptic that doesn't need a browser to download software like pretty much every GNU/Linux distro in use does. That way they can claim one more feature and be able to comply with the EU without bundling software. Each browser that wants to have a shot at it only needs to supply MS with a repo address and maybe a way of verifying software integrity [md5 at the least]
Google Chrome (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:I wonder what choices they will pick? (Score:4, Interesting)
If I was them (and I'm a nice person, so this comment is written purely as an exercise in evil :) I'd do it like they so the search provider option:
Choose your internet browser:
1. Microsoft Internet Explorer, optimised for Windows 7 (tm). Microsoft recommends IE8 for super-fast and safe internet surfing.
2. A different browser. Note that Microsoft corporation has no control over other browser's safety, speed or features. Packages listed may not be as suitable for Windows 7 (tm) as other browsers, users may use one of these at their own risk.
option 2 takes you to a list of alternatives, with another option to go with IE8 (of course)
Choices (Score:1, Interesting)
2. Lynx
3. Mosaic
4. None
That will fill the requirement while shoving a boot up their collective asses
Re:IE will still dominate (Score:3, Interesting)
well, it clearly depends on where you are. I am living in the US for 6 month and I grew up in France. I would say that Firefox has a huge market share in France (To give an idea, I would say something like 70% of computer I looked at used firefox). I was petrified when I saw Firefox was almost unknown in the US.
certainly people will have a different experience, but I really believe there is a difference. Have other people noticed something similar ?
Re:MS just needs to pull out. (Score:3, Interesting)
Don't underestimate human behaviour. I think it's pretty save to say that if Microsoft gives us Europeans the finger, we're going to be pretty pissed and we'll be looking for the most hurtful alternative we can find just out of spite. Yeah, we're funny that way.
What has me stumped, though, is this negative attitude toward this idea. Perhaps my memory is just failing me, but I thought this was exactly what Slashdotters were crying out for just weeks ago when they said they would sell 7 without any browser at all (which I found pretty amusing an idea).
Re:Ballot screen? (Score:4, Interesting)
> "OK, Joe...which engine do you want in your new Chevy? A Chevy, Ford, Toyota, Chrysler, Nissan, or Honda engine?"
If Chevy had 90% of the market, were declared a damaging, predatory monopoly, and you could load a new engine as easily as a browser...
sure, why not?
Re:IE will still dominate (Score:3, Interesting)
I'm currently using IE7, [. . .] It. Is. Bad.
I hate to ask this, but... why are you still using it?
Re:In before the morons (Score:2, Interesting)
I can't think of anyone on Slashdot who would disagree with me if I said IE was the worst browser in general use. Most people use it simply because it comes on their computer and they're too lazy or technically inept to install Firefox. This will show the average Joe that he does have a choice about what he uses on HIS computer.
I'm on Slashdot, and I'll disagree.
Perhaps IE6 is the worst, but IE8 generally has a far more "snappy" feel that Firefox and a more familiar interface for the average Windows user. Security is pretty much a wash nowdays. For users who don't care about bleeding-edge W3C specs and add-ons, I can see why IE would be preferred even with Firefox given equal placement.
Re:IE will still dominate (Score:3, Interesting)
But you're right. IE is still lacking in other areas, notably in the DOM implementation. Does IE8 even support HTML 2.0 link elements' navigational properties (table of contents, previous, next, up,...) yet?
Does any browser support this? I've never seen it in use.
Re:In before the morons (Score:3, Interesting)
I think the real gripe with MS bundling IE was that 1) upgrades often force it to be the default overriding the user 2) it can not be completely removed 3) windows update and IE [the reason for windizupdate's existence] I'm pretty sure most of the problem could be dealt with if MS 1) allowed the complete removal of varying kinds of bundled software 2) offer the user to download alternatives before anything else
Re:Google Chrome (Score:2, Interesting)
My fellow Americans (Score:3, Interesting)
Please stop being a bunch of douches, asshats, and twats.
"Oh, those nasty Euros are only doing this because they don't like successful American companies!"
Give it a BREAK!!
Only the most fanatical of the fanbois can deny that Microsoft is a monopoly. And, only half of those can do so with a straight face. The US government was first to say so, the EU made the same finging, and any homo sapient with an IQ larger than the number of digits on his hands has to be able to see that.
If AT&T could be broken up years ago, there is absolutely no reason that Microsoft can't be broken up as well. Short of being dismantled into several smaller companies, they will abide by court rulings around the world, wherever they do business. That is the nature of being multinational, after all.
And, no, Microsoft is NOT an American company. No matter what it says on paper, Microsoft has offices and subsidiaries around the world. They are multinational, and they take advantage of every loophole that exists in international taxation, money transfer, etc. Microsoft has all but dictated terms to national governments - "take it or leave it" deals.
All the whining and excuse making on Microsoft's behalf makes me sick. And, whining that the world is picking on an "American" company is worse than anything. Microsoft needs to be put in their place, once and for all.
Screw 'em all. If Microsoft were all that successful, they would be making all the money they want, and every little peasant among us would be HAPPY to give them all the money they wanted. They've spent a couple decades alienating people, and making enemies, by one means or another. Let them pay the price, and stop whining.
Re:In before the morons (Score:4, Interesting)
Oh yes, bleeding-edge W3C specs. Like CSS level 2 [w3.org], which was released in... 1998! Yes, I'm aware of CSS 2.1. I'm aware MS supposedly supports it. Yet 99% of the time, IE (in its various incarnations, this includes IE8 as well) is the only browser that gives me headaches when developing cross-browser sites. I really wish it would die a already.
Re:In before the morons (Score:3, Interesting)
Not at all. Their violations of the law have continued to this day.
Yeah, but not because Microsoft isn't breaking the law and abusing the market, as Mozilla points out [mozillazine.org]:
"When the only real competition comes from a not for profit open source organization that depends on volunteers for almost half of its work product and nearly all of its marketing and distribution, while more than half a dozen other "traditional" browser vendors with better than I.E. products have had near-zero success encroaching on Microsoft I.E.'s dominance, there's a demonstrable tilt to the playing field. That tilt comes with the distribution channel - default status for the OS bundled Web browser.
You are an idiot. Microsoft broke the law. Don't whine about laws being enforced by the government.
Re:In before the morons (Score:3, Interesting)
Actually, Microsoft has been violating competition law to this day.
So what you are saying that breaking the law should have no consequences?