No IE onboard Windows 7 in Europe

[The News Bot]

The next version of the Windows operating system will be sold without a browser in Europe, says Microsoft.
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[Badger0-0]

About time too, imo.
But it will be pointless if the setup only points to an IE download.

To keep in line with the EU anti competition rules, hopefully it will also provide links to Firefox, Opera, Safari and Chrome etc, so you have a proper choice

[rovex33]

I totally disagree with this. I dont like or use IE, but why should they remove it when most Linux distros have a browser and MacOS comes with a browser? This is bad for someone who installs windows on a PC without having any other browser to hand, they then have to go through an extra step to get their browser of choice. Its pathetic.

[paulr2006]

Personaly I don't see what the problem is; if people wan't to download an alternative browser they are free to do so anyway. On a personal note whilst I have tried the rest I still like IE the most, on occasions I use Firefox but don't like the others. In my opinion this is just the EU interfering again where they are not wanted

[Badger0-0]

Originally Posted by rovex33

I totally disagree with this. I dont like or use IE, but why should they remove it when most Linux distros have a browser and MacOS comes with a browser? This is bad for someone who installs windows on a PC without having any other browser to hand, they then have to go through an extra step to get their browser of choice. Its pathetic.

That's the point though. It's only the browser of choice because it's foisted on you. That combined with how MS forced the manufacturers to have windows 100% or not at all.

I take your point about Linux and MacOs, but they don't have 90%? domination of the market, do they?

I can't see how it's going to be bad as it'll hopefully be a case of pick a browser and click on it to start the download. What's bad about that?


Paul,

Yes they're free to go and get another browser, but the sad fact is the vast majority don't, which is proven by the figures.
And it's not because it's the best browser (even though you prefer it).
I've never seen anyone (who matters) say IE is the best.
Heck, I'm not sure if it conforms to the universally agreed way of doing HTML yet
It certainly didn't the last time I looked into it

[rovex33]

But the whole thing is pointless! Lets say you are provided with a link page that shows Safari, Opera, Firefox and IE, what do you think most unaware people will choose? Opera what? Mozilla who??, Apple!? but i bought a 'PC'! No ill stick to microsoft, like windows. They must work together right!?

Everyone else more aware of the options probably has a favourite already, and like me will fire up IE only once.. And point it to getfirefox.com. Not bundling IE with retail copies is even more daft. If you are computer aware enough to install Windows from a DVD onto a blank PC then surely you know the situation with browsers!

Linux doesnt have a huge share because its pants for the average user. Apple has a 100% share of the Mac market, and wont supply an OS for any other PC.

[Badger0-0]

I was going to say most people will choose IE anyway, because that's what they know, but I forgot

So if that's the case, where's the problem in having a choice

I certainly don't think it's pointless.

I don't think we're going to agree on this one

[mrm3]

This is ridiculous. MS should be allowed to do what they want with their browser.


Also how can I now download another browser without a browser installed.

[rovex33]

A choice isnt bad, but why force Microsoft to remove IE? This hurts your ability to get online in the first place and will confuse and irritate people. The EU just havent thought it through and created the whole thing to generate revenue for itself and have a pop at a US company.

[Badger0-0]

Originally Posted by mrm3

This is ridiculous. MS should be allowed to do what they want with their browser.


Also how can I now download another browser without a browser installed.

Did you actually read the article?

[Badger0-0]

Originally Posted by rovex33

A choice isnt bad, but why force Microsoft to remove IE? This hurts your ability to get online in the first place and will confuse and irritate people. The EU just havent thought it through and created the whole thing to generate revenue for itself and have a pop at a US company.

Why don't they have a pop at the likes of Coca cola and Pepsi who operate similar practices then?
It's nothing to do with US companies, it's about overwhelming monopolies.

[rovex33]

But IE is free!! Why not have pop at microsoft over the cost of windows? The full EU ruling is pretty amusing. Its based on a completely illogical reasoning and false pretenses.
No one has yet given a good explaination as to why this is a good thing, or will be effective at doing anything positive. No one, on any site or article since the stupid ruling was made.

[Badger0-0]

But IE is free!!

Agreed.
But it was basically copied off the back of other companies, as was a lot of MS software.

At the end of the day, you can either see that MS have an unfair monopoly or you can't.
We're never going to agree on this one mate

[rovex33]

Thats because i disagree with the EU definition of monopoly, its not that i cant see that microsoft have an unfair monopoly, i simply disagree that it one at all. A regional water company is a monopoly because you CANT get water from any other source in any practical quantity or through your taps. Microsoft is not, you can chose to have an Apple, or Linux

[David Mackenzie]

Although it's better than it used to be, IE is a pain in the backside for web developers, so I'd normally rejoice over this - but I just don't understand the purpose of the ruling.

Windows is Microsoft's operating system, why on earth shouldn't they pack their web browser in with it? I presume the EU will also prevent Apple from bundling Safari, Garageband, and iTunes with their Macs? The latter company actively promotes their software as a reason to buy and that's fine, but Microsoft falls foul for including a web browser?