Answers on a postcard

who can name the 6th -> 12th most popular bowsers on windows platforms? (versions of the same thing like ie6,ie7,ie8 don't count). Seriously I got stuck after 5

Make sure

IE isn't needed for updates, I am sick of clicking windows update and firefox is redirected to a "sorry you can't use your safe and secure browser, please dredge the programs directory and find that annoying shortcut you deleted years ago."

:)

Waste of time...

Clearly the clueless morons that run the EU don't understand that supplying IE pre-installed doesn't prevent users from choosing to install a different browser, which is more than can be said for buying cars. If I buy a Ford, I can't ask them to fit a Mercedes odometer display - why should Windows be any different - especially as you are not paying for IE.

@Doc Dish

You are incredibly out of date because Microsoft has already stopped using IE for updates back in 2007 when Vista was released. Windows 7 also doesn't use IE for updates. No need to do it for XP, as it's already in Extended Support so no changes or additions to existing functions and it's out of support in roughly 3-5 years anyway.

Disingenuous

"It would empower all current and future users of Windows in Europe to choose which browser they wished to use".

Microsoft haven't stopped anyone installing or using their choice of browser - MS's dodgy shenanigans of crippling competing apps years ago don't currently apply AFAIK.

So..

anyone want to bet that Opera's next bitch-fest will be order the possible choices are displayed?

I'm guessing they want to go with lowest market share first to "give the little guys a chance", or maybe on name length of browser, with the shortest being first putting 'Opera' way above 'Internet Explorer'.

cynic? moi?

@Iggle Piggle

"why does this pettiness only seem to apply to Microsoft?"

Er, because they're the only company who has been [convicted of] abusing a monopoly position to stifle competition?

and our survey says

that most people will chose the first one on the list.

Now where does this leave the consumer? The serious noobs and grandmas who have no clue? They are neither worse or better off. They will never know this happened.

But everyone's still doing bionic backflips whilst they're not looking.

And all this for "free" software. All these browsers are free. As in beer.

Why not spend this effort in formalising the standards and making each browser behave identically? Or is the EU really giving the user the chance for them to chose their own document object model?

@andy gibson

I think you're the one who needs to get out of your bedroom into the real world as businesses aren't actually hobbled by XP using IE to update, seeing as they have lots of other solutions to update PCs, some require IE and some don't and they all work fine. Therefore, XP doesn't need updating (and potentially breaking a ton of things), especially as it's on the way out and later OSes are the ones grabbing more market share as time goes on.

For god's sake EU wasters....

You're ELEVEN years too late. Microsoft using unfair practices to anihilate Netscape was *last century*.

It is of no consequence any more - you are just far far too late.

Oh - and - cock-a-doodle-do - don't Apple bundle Safari with the Mac? Don't phone vendors bundle their choice of OS with the phone?

@The Indomitable Gall

" Their server software has long been non-compliant with relevant standards."

Citation need I think before we listen to this rubbish. Exactly where does IIS6/7 fail to comply with "relevant standards"?

Sounds like Linux/Apple Fanboi FUD to me.

Butt surely...

....when I buy a Mac I'm limited to my choice of OS. What about when I buy a Nokia, I'm stuck with their crappy T9 system, how about my Playstation, they don't allow me to play Xbox games?

Its not like browser is even a thing that you pay for. If MS were blocking the use of 3rd party-paid-for products then I could understand this anti competition stuff but there is no barrier to anyone who'd want a third party system.

I just don't understand why MS are getting done for this but Apple are allowed to limit access to their iphones via the app store and don't get done for it?

@The Indomitable Gall

No. This has nothing to do with web standards or your preference for Opera over IE. This is solely to do with EC competition law and the argument over whether Microsoft has used its monopoly in the OS market to unfairly gain market share in the browser market. The fact that MS products may not comply with whatever standard you would like them to comply with is irrelevant.

totally ineffective

If there is one certain thought it is that if Brad Smith thinks it is a good idea, it will be ineffective.

The truth remains that all consumers are forced to buy IE. That does not change. Microsoft's revenue model is totally and completely unaffected.

The market remains ruined for everyone else leaving them with the only option of giving away their alternatives or not distribute at all.

Only idiots think that solves the antitrust violations of Microsoft. Fools and idiots always point themselves out.

What the EU is doing will do nothing to essure a fair and open marketplace for browsers. Absolutely nothing.

OK Shoot Me - But this a pretty good deal.

The top 5 installed as is IE would be fairer.

5 years isn't long enough.

But other than those 2 points - its about 90%.

Take it and move on :)

@whiteafrican

"......unfairly gain market share in the browser market."

You see, there's the bit I have a real problem with.

Exactly what f***ing "market" is this? They're all bloody free! Now, I have absolutely no objection whatsoever to people giving me free stuff. I have no objection to lots of people touting their free thing as the best. But when the willy-waving of "more people are using our free thing than your free thing" gets so serious that it results in a legal shitfight I reckon that somebody somewhere's lost the plot.

The result here is that there is one browser that I will not and will never give houseroom to, Opera. Not because it's crap, but purely because their continuous shrill wingeing about their terribly short willy pisses me off and I'd like to see 'em FOAD.