EU Wants Multiple Browser Bundling On New PCs 464
An anonymous reader writes with a link to Ars Technica's report that "the EU is considering forcing Windows users to choose a browser to download and install before they can first browse the Internet, according to The Wall Street Journal (subscription required). While the latest Windows 7 builds let you uninstall IE8, 'third-party browser makers like Opera, Mozilla and Google are pushing for tough sanctions against Microsoft. The EU would rather have a "ballot screen" for users to choose which browsers to download and install as well as which one to set as default. The bundling requirement might end up becoming a responsibility for manufacturers.'"
Bah Humbug (Score:5, Funny)
Wont anybody think of the users. I dont want to have to make choices thats why I use Windows in the first place.
Re:This could get (even more) stupid (Score:5, Funny)
Be careful what you wish for (Score:3, Funny)
I wonder whether as a result of this policy that IE6 becomes one of the many different browser options, just to keep happy those businesses with legacy code that wont work on anything else!
Now that really would cause Microsoft a headache - competing with its own lack of standards...
Not that many web designers will be happy with this though!
Re:That's not a fucking monopoly. (Score:5, Funny)
You can't force them to support other browsers, hell, they could only support internet explorer if they wanted to.
Your choices:
Internet Explorer 8 (Recommended)
AOL Explorer
Lynx
Re:The EU is still beating this dead horse? (Score:5, Funny)
You know what would really be a monopolistic practice? If they made the hardware and then forced you to use their operating system on their hardware. Thank god that doesn't happen.
Re:Read much? (Score:1, Funny)
Well, number one, it's a sanction being imposed against MS and MS software. While the OEM's are going to have a lot of leeway in HOW the sanctions are imposed, MS will be involved. I'll put money on it. How about I put all my munchies money for the next month up against yours? Do we have a bet? MS isn't going to want to let every OEM from London to Rome implement some hare-brained implementation that may or may not work.
Operator: This is MS support at 1-800-CRYBABY
caller: Yes, I haz no Intertubez.
Operator: Please start your browser
caller: You're not listenin' Lady. I haz no Intertubez.
Operator: You have no browser?
caller: Correct, you win!! The script ran, and I chose to install Opera, and Firefox, but neither one works. I went back and tried to install Intertubez Explorer, but it won't install either.
Operator: Where did you purchase your computer, Sir?
caller: Well, the wife wanted a new dress, so we went down to Omar, the tentmaker's. Omar had some "Jihad Approved" machines on sale, so I took one.
What's next... (Score:2, Funny)