Don't you believe the last paragraph?

I didn't read the last paragraph! Looks good if CNET are right.

It would take more than a week to make the appointments to meet with the lawyers of the other browser makers.

John.

Why would they do that? It seems to be a matter between Microsoft and the EU. Anyway, it appears that it's all history now and that Microsoft will supply a full version with IE included. I'm sure that those who object to extra functionality can get their money back if they feel cheated.

(Funny - a couple of years ago I went to a Lucinda Williams concert and Bruce Springsteen turned up on stage with her. I guess I should have asked for my money back as the organizers didn't tell me I was going to get The Boss as well as Lucinda.)

Why would they do that? It seems to be a matter between Microsoft and the EU.

If other browsers are going to be a part of the Windows install process then at the very least there will need to be a contract with the other browser makers permitting it. And there are endless other details that will need to be negotiated.

It's easy to look at the problem from a purely technical viewpoint and say that you could solve it in a couple of days - well maybe you could but you're not staking hundreds of millions of dollars on getting it right.

John.

there will need to be a contract with the other browser makers permitting it

Why? It's only links to publicly available web sites. I'm not sure that, e.g., Firefox has ever had any great input into people linking to their site. If Microsoft were to pursue this line (which they are not doing) you can be quite sure that they would already have sorted out the legality of it all.

Actually, it's quite clear that this was just an idea floated by Microsoft that was never seriously going to happen. But at least they can say they've made the effort - and then sell Windows 7 with IE included.

Although nothing has yet been agreed with the EU (as far as I know), the strong hint seemed to be that Microsoft would provide a list of alternative browsers, probably with links (not the actual code).

But - how will an alternative vendor get their link into the Microsoft list - pay Microsoft a fee, or maybe pay Microsoft introduction charges for every download that comes from a Windows 7 link. Pay Microsoft for advertising their products.

Who will get what priority order in "the list". And how.

The possibilities are endless.

Edited by deleted (Sat 01-Aug-09 11:54:58)

The possibilities are endless.

Now that Microsoft has announced that they won't be selling an E version I would say the possibilities are startless.

it will be the top 10 based on usage share according to their ballot box proposal....

The Ballot Screen will be populated with the most widely-used web browsers that run on Windows with a usage share of equal to or more than 0.5% in the EEA as measured semi-annually by a source commonly agreed between Microsoft and the European Commission (see paragraph 13), but not more than ten (not counting different versions of one and the same browser). In addition, if a browser�s usage share is among the top 10, but that browser is no longer actively offered by its vendor, that browser will not be included in the Ballot Screen.

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/eu-msft...

Edited by marc2003 (Sat 01-Aug-09 11:58:41)

I just finished reading the actual proposal and the key points are as follows:

* Internet Explorer will be installed as normal in W7 with an option to turn it off.

* The ballot will be available as an Important update on Windows Update. It will NOT be included on any DVD.

* The ballot will nag the user until he makes a choice. *sigh*

* The ballot will be available for W7 on release day (assuming EU approval by then) and other versions of Windows between 3 and 6 months later.

* The ballot will include a maximum of ten browsers each of which must have a market share of at least 0.5% and be under active development.

* No charge will be made for inclusion in the ballot and Microsoft will bear all costs.

* The download link must be maintained by the browser maker and the package must not contain any other software. (No tool bars etc..)

John.

Damn - the lawyers got there first.