My OperaMy 2 cents on the EU versus Microsoft
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 9:14:46 PM
Even the non-technical people here should have heard about the EU examining Microsoft behavior around the Internet browser market. In short, Microsoft is accused by several "competitors", including Opera, of being blocking "healthy competition" abusing of its dominant position, shipping Internet Explorer as component of the Windows operating system.
My opinion: since today any operating system MUST have a browser by default, among other tools, there is only ONE point where you can make a positive change, forbidding (with a regulation or a law) the hardware vendors to sell computers with an pre-installed operating system(s). This way the computer become "neutral" regarding the software market and the customer must chose and buy the software as a separate product or assembly of products. It seems obvious to me that the root of all the problems in the software business is the OEM Windows licensing.
Edit: to confirm my opinion, I've found this article:
http://i.gizmodo.com/5160169/ballmer-confirms-skinny-version-of-windows-7-for-netbooks
In short, MS in its usual "seek and destroy" procedure, is moving to occupy the only niche where vendors have been shipping some non-windows computers: the Netbooks.
My opinion: since today any operating system MUST have a browser by default, among other tools, there is only ONE point where you can make a positive change, forbidding (with a regulation or a law) the hardware vendors to sell computers with an pre-installed operating system(s). This way the computer become "neutral" regarding the software market and the customer must chose and buy the software as a separate product or assembly of products. It seems obvious to me that the root of all the problems in the software business is the OEM Windows licensing.
Edit: to confirm my opinion, I've found this article:
http://i.gizmodo.com/5160169/ballmer-confirms-skinny-version-of-windows-7-for-netbooks
In short, MS in its usual "seek and destroy" procedure, is moving to occupy the only niche where vendors have been shipping some non-windows computers: the Netbooks.
Mad Scientistqlue # Wednesday, February 25, 2009 10:43:14 PM
However, it's standard practice to preinstall Microsoft Windows on a new computer and offer it as a 'special'. The software package is usually no where to be seen. This makes the software that every new computer comes with technically pirate software since it was not supplied as an original package. (hence the reason it's illegal). The problem, however, is the consumer is mostly unaware me the illegality me this practice. And what is more disturbing, is that the consumer is generally unaware that he/she may not use this unlicenced demo software for commercial purposes. This is why so many companies are found to be using 'pirate' software. Their argument that they have actually paid for it is valid since this is what they were told verbally by the sales assistant. However, if they peruse the sales docket, they will see that according to the sales records, they only paid for the hardware. The legitimate customer who would have been quite willing to have said for the software if requested to, is thus found guilty me fraudulant use of pirate software, whilst the computer shop continues to dupe unsuspecting customers into making purchases with the offer of illegal 'free' software.
Isn't it nice to know that Al Capone's version of free enterprise is allive and well in the twenty first century?
Aux # Wednesday, February 25, 2009 10:59:10 PM
Shaunak DeShaunak # Thursday, February 26, 2009 6:05:17 AM
Me neither.
But unfortunately laptops still have to be purchased with Vista and other premium OEM crap pre-installed. [Recovery partition, system wizard, et all]
On the matter of the Anti Trust suite.
Its stupid to the point of being hilarious. MS makes an OS and bundles a browser with it.
Simple.
What do you expect them to do? Had out pamphlets pointing to competitor browsers? "Please go to our rival's site and install their software".
When you buy a car it come fitted with the manufacturer's tires and a stereo system right? Don't you upgrade to better performance tires or a better speaker set, from a different manufacturer, AFTER you complete the purchase? How come *that* is not trade monopoly.
*snif*
Somethings, burning.....
Smells like jealous techies....
^^ my two cents, or 1.95446 Japanese yen, or 0.198860 South African Rand, or 1 Indian Rupee....
Lorenzo CelsiLorenzoCelsi # Thursday, February 26, 2009 7:29:18 AM
There is something more. Via the OEM licensing MS can apply some pressure over the hardware vendors. During years there have been several situations, the last was the the famous "vista ready" marking over computers that later people discovered were not capable to run full Vista but only the diminutive versions.
It looks obvious to me that a government that has got knowledge, strategic planning ability and cares of people's interests, instead of getting money under the table by big corporation, should see immediately the need to cut the ties between Microsoft and computer vendors, that is the root of the current monopoly with all the negative consequences.
I am not proposing to apply any change on Microsoft as organization or even to change their products and the way they are put together. There are several reason why this can't work and it is also wrong in my opinion. I am proposing instead to make people chose what software they want to run over their computers. If Microsoft makes the best software, you would still find them over most computers. But everybody would be finally free to propose their competitive products on one side and to chose the best product on the other side. This goes for the software but also for the hardware, that would be "certified" to support the different operating systems instead of just Windows (true or fake).
Dr. John v. Kampennepmak2000 # Sunday, March 1, 2009 8:40:40 PM
Installing Windows causes tremendous heat, often forgotten. Installing it yourself can lead to disputes when a motherboard says goodbye, or a disdrive. I have experience with this (twice!). Installing some LiveCD or from an ISO remarkably enough doesn't cause such a problem. Windows-7 will be .iso is told, reason clear to a certain extent. That an Operating System must have a Web Browser.... ??????!!! Now what is the OS from Windows in fact? Which part? And nextly we throw IE out asap and replace it with Opera or FireFox for obvious reasons!
I prefer a naked computer and let me decide about the OS. Linux comes free, remember