Fyrdility

As a result of Opera's antitrust complaint against Microsoft, I started thinking about how Microsoft might allow a selection of web browsers for Windows. Then, I made this mockup image: Note the following problems with this scenario:

1. Internet Explorer will be mostly recognized by people, and is bound to be highlighted some way or another (mainly by being the only one supported by MS)
2. Who decides which browsers make the cut to this list? Just about anyone can make a Gecko based browser or an Internet Explorer shell
3. Do, in fact, Internet Explorer shells like Maxthon and Avant Browser make the list? They use IE's engine (trident), and thus suffer many of the same shortcomings
4. Which browser(s) get to be installed for mass installations?
5. Should browser makers be allowed to add a short blurb about their browser?

If Microsoft were forced to comply with a ruling requiring this, it would be interesting to see how these issues are dealt with. For comments, please post at Browser selection in Windows Installer on the new Fyrdility blog