EU-version of Windows 7 will come without browser

[Letum]

Originally Posted by Skybird

If Firefox or Chrome want their's to be downloade, they have to make them more attractive.

The problem is that even if they are more attractive, IE still has an advantage.

They are competing - not cooperating. The EU does not seem to know the difference here.

On the contrary!
The EU is ensuring that they are competing; that the best product wins,
not just the product that is shipped out with other software.

[Skybird]

Heck, I don't understand your problem. Microsoft has agreed not to bundle Explorer with Windows anymore. Have you even realised that?

The psychological advantage that people use Explorer for reasons of laziness and comfort, is gone (and for all Firebird and Opera and Chrome users it has been a questionable argument anyway, since longer time). All three products now line up at the starting line, at equal terms. People see them, weigh them, make their choice, download for free the one they want, and install it.

What else do you want...?

If people still prefer Explorer over the others, than this must not be your or the EU's concern. I would, for example, prefer Explorer nevertheless. and I do not see any problem at all to download it and install it. I do download a lot of additonal programs of my choice when installing, and I download updates several times a week.

I do not expect or demand Microsoft to actively distribute the competing products of their rivals. It violates common economic sense to demand that. equality of chances is what it is about - and this has been acchieved. Now it is up to Chrome and Mozilla to use their chances. They are free to fail, too. And if they fail, it is not the EU's job to compensate for that.

[Letum]

You have lost me!
That is what I want....I was under the impression you where against that.

[Q3ark]

Originally Posted by Letum

On the contrary!
The EU is ensuring that they are competing; that the best product wins,
not just the product that is shipped out with other software.

It makes no difference weather windows ships with IE or not. People will download and use their prefered browser either way. It's not like windows is blocking access to third party browsers. It has always been up to the user which sofware they want on their system. The EU need not waste time and resources on this