Win 7 Browser war

What happened no choice no mention of anything other than IE as default just like all previous windows ???? Full ultimate retail ?

Am I missing something ? I know they dropped the no upgrade option but I thought they were planning on a choice of browser upon install ?

Off to find mozilla to download a copy of firefox !

The EU couldn't agree on the ballot idea in time for the release. Apparently they are still "testing" it. By the time they give the goahead millions of copies will be sold anyway.

i think the original plan was to drop IE completely on install, and let you download what ever you like instead of having IE as only initial option. But EU rules stopped that i think and made them put IE back in ironically !

The plan for the ballot was always to offer it within a few weeks of launch (6, I think but I'm not exactly sure) via Windows Update. It does not come on the DVD.

Royal Mail delivered, btw. And so did Amazon.

John.

Ah yes - I'd forgotten about the Update option. How many people do you suppose are going to choose another browser having used IE8.

I'm glad that you scored on both counts. Paying extra for delivery with Amazon does seem to be a waste (but perhaps I've just been lucky). If you really need the item quickly I guess it makes sense to cough up.

re: Paying extra for delivery with Amazon does seem to be a waste

I agree. My copy was dispatched last night (21st) and it was delivered at 13.30 today (22nd).

Not bad for a free 'super saver' delivery.

This is not the first time stuff as been ordered from Amazon on the free option and come the next day.

I never bother paying now; unless it is urgent. Though with Christmas coming up, that might change to 3-4 days.

THE answer is

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/10/23/windows_seve...

Calm down chaps, calm down

By John Oates � Get more from this author

Posted in Operating Systems, 23rd October 2009 14:45 GMT

Free whitepaper � The evolving open source software model

Several Register readers have been in touch because their early installations of Windows 7 have not come with a ballot screen offering them a choice of browsers to download.

Earlier this month Microsoft and the Commission agreed to provide a ballot screen offering users a choice of browsers in the form of a ballot screen in order to end ongoing anti-competition action against the firm for unfairly bundling products. But that agreement is currently being 'market tested'.

The deal on the ballot screen has not yet been adopted by the Competition Commission as a legally binding agreement. It is still open for industry feedback.

Assuming industry agrees the terms set out between the Competition Commission and Microsoft then the ballot screen will be sent out via Windows Update. It will be seen by Windows 7 users who have made Internet Explorer their default browser. It will also go to XP and Vista users.

Browser makers, and anyone else, have until early November to respond to the proposed agreement.

At some point after that the Commission may decide to adopt it as an Article 9 decision - effectively making the agreement a legally binding committment.

If that happens then Microsoft will have eight weeks to distribute the ballot screen to Windows 7 users in Europe who are using IE as their default browsers. The screen will also go out to Vista and XP users.

Of course, we're guessing the people who've notice the lack of a ballot screen have already got something other than IE as their default - which means you're unlikely to ever see the ballot screen even when it is released.

Anyway depending on industry reaction the deal might not even get that far. Browser maker Opera has already said it is unimpressed with the choice screen option. ®

Edited by deleted (Fri 23-Oct-09 20:21:38)