I am not a big Microsoft fan, but is no one else disturbed that the EU is telling Microsoft that promoting its own product is "unfair." It would be unfair if Windows prevented the user from installing some other browser, but so far, Microsoft has not done that. I have used Opera and the erstwhile Netscape Navigator, and I currently use Firefox and sometimes Chrome, generally without a hitch.
There are other pieces of software that are nearly ubiquitous that do not get the same treatment, like Adobe Reader. Every site you visit that offers PDFs has a link to download Adobe Reader, even though there are several other quality PDF readers out there, and no one is screaming at them.
Personally, instead of kowtowing, I think Microsoft should cancel plans to distribute Windows 7 in EU countries altogether.
Erik
· 2 months ago
Likewise. I think that Microsoft should, legally, be able to promote their products on their OS's, as long as they are fair about it. I'm a big IE hater, and I like that this is happening, but why it's happening seems unjust.
lagspike
· 2 months ago
so first they announced Windows 7E, then 'removed' it, it remained on their website after removal, and now it's back again!?
However, it is awesome that we will be able to choose a web browser.
Adeel Imran
· 2 months ago
Well and they should , because IE is just ,simply and totally out-dates . If I had the power Atleast I could be that patriotic to stop IE's coming in my country . I don't know but I so much hate this browser.
I bet there will be some problems, the screenshot looks like that the opening page will be a Microsoft website with the ballot screen, instead of the normal live.com default opening page.
If the user doesn't see this page (if the computer provider overwrites the settings) then the user will never see this, and be stuck with IE which will be installed by default anyway.
Even if the ballot screen is shown, fact is, the user will have to complete many steps to install a new browser, compared to IE being installed allready. I bet Windows Microsoft will try to make this step not very easy with security prompts or permission problems. I.e., if I install Firefox, it will only affect my User Account, not any others on the same machine.
Bertil
· 2 months ago
It's great, but what about the dozens of niche browers? Who will decide what to accept on the first page (and for instance, crowd out Firefow with random, buggy browsers, or Microsoft Resaerch experimental stuff)?
technicalfault
· 2 months ago
It's the EU, European Union, as per your title. not the EC. Cheers SUA.
Matt Rogowski
· 2 months ago
That sounds like a good way of doing it, I'd be interested in seeing the browser market share stats after 6 months of Windows 7's release. To be honest, Chrome, Opera, Safari and Firefox are the only other common/mainstream browsers, I don't think they could have every browser available there.
jbond
· 2 months ago
hmmm. EU, Apple and Safari?
yayel
· 2 months ago
thats something that european users definitely need, some of them are not use to google chrome, safari, mozilla, or aol since microsoft is always trying to dominate the european market! more european users definitely need to get familiar with the applications that other browsers offer...
Photo Editing Expert
· 2 months ago
Cease fire.
Cosmin
· 2 months ago
This is definitely good news for webdesigners especially. Being presented with options, not all users will choose IE, though many will...
Also, this can only drive more competition among browser creators... and we know who benefits the most :)
xxdesmus
· 2 months ago
So idiotic, the damn EU can't make up their minds already. What a joke.
jessefriedman
· 2 months ago
If users don't know what they're doing they may just choose the browsers based on the most appealing logo or the brand name they're most familiar with. I bet you see a big increase for Firefox and Google.
RAM
· 2 months ago
Yep its a good deal. Stay connected and send more information.
thedp
· 1 month ago
What about Mac OS X? it comes with Safari. What about all the Linux flavors, each one of them comes with a browser, and it's usually Firefox.
All Comments
There are other pieces of software that are nearly ubiquitous that do not get the same treatment, like Adobe Reader. Every site you visit that offers PDFs has a link to download Adobe Reader, even though there are several other quality PDF readers out there, and no one is screaming at them.
Personally, instead of kowtowing, I think Microsoft should cancel plans to distribute Windows 7 in EU countries altogether.
However, it is awesome that we will be able to choose a web browser.
I don't know but I so much hate this browser.
http://gobblerr.blogspot.com
If the user doesn't see this page (if the computer provider overwrites the settings) then the user will never see this, and be stuck with IE which will be installed by default anyway.
Even if the ballot screen is shown, fact is, the user will have to complete many steps to install a new browser, compared to IE being installed allready. I bet Windows Microsoft will try to make this step not very easy with security prompts or permission problems. I.e., if I install Firefox, it will only affect my User Account, not any others on the same machine.
Also, this can only drive more competition among browser creators... and we know who benefits the most :)
Stay connected and send more information.
What about all the Linux flavors, each one of them comes with a browser, and it's usually Firefox.