If Microsoft had given users a list of browsers to choose from then the complaint would be that "XYZ" browser was unfairly excluded. They aren't going to win no matter how they handle it.
Hopefully there is a "DL IE8" icon on the desktop, because otherwise how are people supposed to download Firefox? They don't even bundle a terminal program anymore.
It's all really, really stupid. Every current consumer level OS comes with a browser. If Windows 7 came with Firefox as the default browser they'd be in violation. I mean why not have them remove the free games that it comes with as well. I mean if you've got solitaire why would you possibly every download any other game ever?
When Apple manage to achieve monopoly status and then exploit that to give them an anti competitive edge. ie, never.
IE will likely come on a separate disc. OEMs will have the option to pre install whatever software they like for their customers so this decision will have zero affect on consumers.
Yeah like I said, the retailer will likely have a huge stack of IE discs which they'll give out for free with every Windows 7 purchase. Perfectly legal and in the grand scheme of things, no big deal.
The problem with that, of course, being that the IE discs probably came from Microsoft and could easily be construed as a violation of the spirit, rather than the letter of the rulings.
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LeonardoWake up and smell the glaciersEagle River, AlaskaIcrontian
edited June 2009
When the original controversy and resulting legal actions began nearly 10 years ago, I think perphaps there was a legitmate case to be made against the bundling of Internet Explorer. Now? Let's get real! The ordinary consumer expects to be able press the power button on his new computer, to result in bootup into the operating system with an Internet browser already in place.
So, what's next? Should Microsft remove MS Paint? Should the default text editor also be absent? Should Apple remove Safari from OSX?
In my opinion, this EU Internet Explorer brouhaha has turned into so much silliness - a campaign kept active to keep bureaucrats employed and to feed egos.
Thrax
🐌Austin, TX Icrontian
Comments
Nothing underhanded about that right?
When Apple manage to achieve monopoly status and then exploit that to give them an anti competitive edge. ie, never.
IE will likely come on a separate disc. OEMs will have the option to pre install whatever software they like for their customers so this decision will have zero affect on consumers.
So, what's next? Should Microsft remove MS Paint? Should the default text editor also be absent? Should Apple remove Safari from OSX?
In my opinion, this EU Internet Explorer brouhaha has turned into so much silliness - a campaign kept active to keep bureaucrats employed and to feed egos.