Mozilla: EU's Win 7 Browser Ballot is Favoritism
The Mozilla Corporation has said it is not happy with the ballot option that will allow Windows 7 users in the European Union to choose which browser they would like to use.
Mitchell Baker, the Chair of the Mozilla Foundation, said last week in a blog post that the proposed settlement between the European Commission and Microsoft regarding the bundling of Internet Explorer with the Windows OS could use some improvement.
Baker argues that the agreement still offers "Internet Explorer a uniquely privileged position on Windows installations," in that even if a user does not choose IE as their default browser on the ballot screen, a shortcut is still placed on the user's desktop.
Baker continues on to say that the ballot is about downloading software and while it may help the less tech savvy to download and make an alternative browser their default, many would get lost half way through the process.
The Mozilla Chairman's third point is that IE is still included in the Windows updates system. While Baker does concede that for security reasons, it is better to include IE than have an out of date and dead piece of software on your computer, he argues that there should be a few safeguards in place to ensure IE does not use the automatic update process to ask for permission to become the default browser. For example, if IE presents itself to the user as part of an automatically triggered update process, it should close immediately after the update process completes.
Obviously, interested parties still feel there is a long way to go before the browser issues in the EU are resolved. Do you think the ballot proposal is a good idea or do you agree with the Mozilla Foundation in that it still offers Microsoft an advantage? Let us know in the comments below!
Check out Mitchell Baker's full post here.
As far as the average user getting lost in the process of installing another browser... REALLY? If one is capable of getting lost during this process, then forgive me, but they shouldn't be choosy about browsers to begin with, as they hardly know what that means.
And, if that is a concern, then Mozilla should come up with a solution for their potential customers, like very streamlined installation and readily available tech support because it's their software...
MS made a huge mistake by giving in to the request from the start; it's their OS and they are entitled to do whatever they want with it. I doubt the EU would have gone the MacOS way because of this issue ..
Again , I am using FF all the time and I have had no issues installing it, so MS did not do anything to prevent me from using it ...
So it's not enough to give them the option and make them aware, but now you think they should have their competetors software on the disk? Maybe they should have Mac commercials run during the install?
As far as the average user getting lost in the process of installing another browser... REALLY? If one is capable of getting lost during this process, then forgive me, but they shouldn't be choosy about browsers to begin with, as they hardly know what that means.
And, if that is a concern, then Mozilla should come up with a solution for their potential customers, like very streamlined installation and readily available tech support because it's their software...
MS made a huge mistake by giving in to the request from the start; it's their OS and they are entitled to do whatever they want with it. I doubt the EU would have gone the MacOS way because of this issue ..
Again , I am using FF all the time and I have had no issues installing it, so MS did not do anything to prevent me from using it ...
Then have Windows update run on separate software unrelated to IE thus removing the need for IE to be on the system.
And this wouldn't happen during a normal install process with a common idiot at the helm?
then maybe re-write a whole good part of the OS too.../sarcasm
Really, I would like to see MacOS bending backwards to accommodate FF or IE in their core OS , and remind you that we're talking about people that are actively censoring their clients' opinions/complaints on forums...
Bottom line is, MS had to use an internet client to do the updates and, guess what, they already had one built by themselves...go figure that one out.
Personally I don't think they should have to even mention those other browsers. IE should be a choice to install not a requirement but Microsoft should not have to advertise their competitors browsers.
So it's not enough to give them the option and make them aware, but now you think they should have their competetors software on the disk? Maybe they should have Mac commercials run during the install?
Cheers.
This ballet screen, which I find stupid but can't do much about it, should download the software off the internet otherwise the software would be out of date quickly. I love how the EU didn't think "Wait, what if there is an update?" The next lawsuit is probably going to be because someone's computer crashed when the browser they installed was used to hack into their computer because it wasn't up to date.
Reading Comprehension FTW. Same with everyone else reading my comment. Although i can see it being a little ambiguous so I don't blame you. Except that you didn't read my post later on down the line.
Anyhow that post was strictly on the topic of Microsoft's attempts to be fair and how they can go about it. It was in no way my opinion of the situation. I was't trying to let my emotions get in the way like almost every other poster does in the comments section. MY personally opinion is that IE should not be required (in other words, I shouldn't be forced to have it on my system if I don't want it, right now its required, and even if you uninstall all it does is remove the shortcut as its needed for other applications) but Microsoft should not have to advertise their competitors either. My last post here. Hopefully people can comprehend this one.
What is next a ballot screen for all the media players?
I do think that MS needs to make the OS install a bit more user friendly. I would like to see big named icons for all the add-ons that are installed, instead of having to drill down through the menus and click tiny check boxes.
I will also start the Apple attacks, I just read today the next OSX will have Quicktime Pro included for free. Why isn't the EU going after Apple for this. Apple is acting like MS.
It is item 5 in the following article.
http://tech.yahoo.com/news/infoworld/20090824/tc_infoworld/88573