European Union Kicks IE’s Butt

kiwi_2005 · 03-02-10, 09:28 PM

http://blog.thoughtpick.com/2010/03/...-ies-butt.html

Quote:

The European Union, believing that “not knowing you have a choice is no choice at all“, has made Microsoft integrate a Browser Choice window in their operating system for both new users and existing Windows PC users. This screen will provide users with a chance “to make an active choice in the source of the software that acts on your behalf to broker your online experiences, and meet your own unique needs and interests.”

This decision ends a long-running dispute over the US software giant’s dominant market position. This “browser choice screen” will present users with a list of leading browsers — including Mozilla’s Firefox, Apple’s Safari and Google’s Chrome — presented in a random order. The screen will be offered as an automatic download for XP, Vista, and Windows 7.

The screen gives the user three options:

To simply “Install” any of the leading browsers listed.
To “Learn More” information about any of these browsers.
To “Select Later” – possibly inducing an endless loop for users who will always “Select later”, like I do with my updates.

You can read more about this on the European Firefox Community blog.

kiwi_2005 · 03-02-10, 09:39 PM

I suppose this is a good option i know of users that don't even know theres other browsers apart from IE. And when told about them they think they can't be safe to use cause why didn't it come with their windows.

CaptainHaplo · 03-03-10, 12:45 AM

Well - in the case of Chrome - those "dumb end users" are right - its not nearly as secure as IE. Haven't worked with Opera nor heard much.

kiwi_2005 · 03-03-10, 02:20 AM

installing browsers is not going to kill windows

I have 5 browsers - IE, Opera, Firefox, Chrome and Avant. I use to have 7 one time there

. I just install them to see how they run but no guarantee i will use them all, besides they cant do any harm to windows anyways.

Just some of the browsers you can try that aren't so popular but work well.

Safari
Maxthon
Flock
Avant Browser
Deepnet Explorer
Phaseout

Fincuan · 03-07-10, 07:29 PM

A pretty funny(and old, but didn't see it posted yet) continuation on the story: The algorithm MS used to randomize the order in which browsers are represented in the selection screen didn't produce very random results. By the looks of it they didn't even do it with malicious intentions.

Doing the Microsoft Shuffle: Algorithm Fail in Browser Ballot

03-02-10, 09:39 PM	#2
kiwi_2005 Eternal Patrol Join Date: May 2004 Location: Aeoteroa Posts: 7,382 Downloads: 223 Uploads: 1	I suppose this is a good option i know of users that don't even know theres other browsers apart from IE. And when told about them they think they can't be safe to use cause why didn't it come with their windows. __________________ RIP kiwi_2005 Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others.

03-03-10, 12:45 AM	#3
CaptainHaplo Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4,404 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 0	Well - in the case of Chrome - those "dumb end users" are right - its not nearly as secure as IE. Haven't worked with Opera nor heard much. __________________ Good Hunting! Captain Haplo

03-03-10, 02:20 AM	#4
kiwi_2005 Eternal Patrol Join Date: May 2004 Location: Aeoteroa Posts: 7,382 Downloads: 223 Uploads: 1	installing browsers is not going to kill windows I have 5 browsers - IE, Opera, Firefox, Chrome and Avant. I use to have 7 one time there . I just install them to see how they run but no guarantee i will use them all, besides they cant do any harm to windows anyways. Just some of the browsers you can try that aren't so popular but work well. Safari Maxthon Flock Avant Browser Deepnet Explorer Phaseout __________________ RIP kiwi_2005 Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others.

03-07-10, 07:29 PM	#5
Fincuan Admiral Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Suomi, sauna, puukko, perkele Posts: 2,346 Downloads: 39 Uploads: 0	A pretty funny(and old, but didn't see it posted yet) continuation on the story: The algorithm MS used to randomize the order in which browsers are represented in the selection screen didn't produce very random results. By the looks of it they didn't even do it with malicious intentions. Doing the Microsoft Shuffle: Algorithm Fail in Browser Ballot