Plip's Weblog

Phil Winstanley - British Microsoft ASP.NET MVP & ASP Insider.

Opera, the EC and Microsoft.

The European Commission are having to investigate Microsoft again, this time it's not Media Player but Internet Explorer which is getting it in the neck.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7143912.stm

I have installed on my machine IE, Firefox and Safari. I'm a web developer, I expect to have lots of browsers. The average man on the street however has an icon on his desktop called "Internet", it opens the Internet. I imagine the vast majority of Internet users don't even know other browsers exist or even understand what a browser is.

Now, is if fair that Microsoft's Internet Explorer is the only browser shipped with the Operating System? To answer that, I think the question needs to be rephrased. Is it fair to Opera or Firefox? No. Is it fair to the users of Windows? I'd say yes; if my above statement is close to the mark, that users just want things to work then more choice can only be a bad thing.

The browser statistics at W3 Schools is interesting to read: -

http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_stats.asp

I think my tax money could be much better spent than being frivolously wasted on legal action against Microsoft.

Thoughts?

 

</whinge>

Posted: Dec 15 2007, 10:20 PM by Plip | with 7 comment(s)

Comments

lkempe said:

I agree! The final goal is not the consumer but the company.

# December 16, 2007 1:04 AM

Vikram said:

I too agree. whats the problem if Microsoft only bundles IE with their OS.Its very fair and very good for user. I know many users who would not understand multiple browsers

# December 16, 2007 2:06 AM

anonymous coward said:

>>>I think my tax money could be much better spent than being frivolously wasted on legal action against Microsoft.

What should I think when tax money is spent in useless subsidiaries/incentives to needless big company?

Giving choice to "uneducated" customer could be better, just display a panel on first launch "you are launching an internet browser, the default one allready installed is microsoft internet explorer. Would you like to launch the default one or choose another one: offer a list"

# December 16, 2007 4:45 AM

Dave said:

I agree totally. I think their aim is misplaced; Microsoft are working to support standards better and have significant problems in terms of compatibility - self imposed problems, but problems nonetheless.

One issue I think they have fair grounds on is in terms of default installs. It's not reasonable to expect Microsoft to install third party apps on their OS, but is it reasonable to expect Microsoft to dictate terms to installers? Perhaps; it is, after all, their OS, but if they are abusing their position of power by forcing installers not to install third party browsers (who seem free to install all sorts of other crap as part of the default install on a new machine) then that might be considered monopolistic.

Personally I feel Opera would be better placed making people more aware of how much better their product is; produce something better and tell people.

# December 16, 2007 7:29 AM

Rich Mercer said:

What is annoying me the most is we are here talking about Microsoft and IE. It's a clear case of attacking the largest company with the most money. Why are we not also debating OS X and the fact that they only ship with Safari? Isn't it unfair to attack Microsoft when Apple only ship QuickTime with their OS and no other media player? What have MS done that is so wrong?

P.S. I am a MacBook Pro and iMac owner, so don't think I'm an MS fan boy. ;)

# December 16, 2007 10:32 AM

Shane said:

I agree with Rich.

Perhaps Microsoft could change the Vista loading screen.  It could play muzak whilst showing adverts for Firefox, Safari and Opera.

Then, surely, everybody would be happy. :)

# December 17, 2007 8:16 AM

Internet Explorer Icon » Blog Archive » Opera, the EC and Microsoft. said:

Pingback from  Internet Explorer Icon  &raquo; Blog Archive   &raquo; Opera, the EC and Microsoft.

# December 24, 2007 1:41 AM
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