Microsoft to offer Browser choice for European computer users
gaurav bagdi
" Gaurav Bagdi is a 22 year old part time Blogger, Technical writer. Interested in day to day evolution in the field of technology. He’s the editor of Webketu - Technology Evolves. and owner of NetKetu. You can also catch him on twitter.”
“Are we done yet?” No, and can never be. With first of its kind from Microsoft (guess,Still hard to believe), has decided to offer European Computer users an option to select their choice of Web Browser.
Microsoft said users of new computers running Windows 7 in Europe would get a ballot screen that would let them easily download other browsers from the Internet and turn off Microsoft’s default Internet Explorer.
E.U. was as enthusiastic as the bureaucracy is capable of being, gushing in a statement : the proposal recognises the principle that consumers should be given a free and effective choice of web browser, and sets out a means – the ballot screen – by which Microsoft believes that can be achieved. In addition OEMs would be able to install competing web browsers, set those as default and disable Internet Explorer should they so wish. The Commission welcomes this proposal, and will now investigate its practical effectiveness in terms of ensuring genuine consumer choice.
If European officials approve the proposal and drop their antitrust case against Microsoft, the version of Windows 7 with the ballot screen could be available in Europe shortly after the official release of the software on Oct. 22, the company’s general counsel, Bradford L. Smith, said in an interview to The New York Times.
Ofcourse, its kind of a Weird that the ballot screen would not be an option for buyers of PCs using Windows 7 software in the United States or in other markets outside of the European Union. But Microsoft said it also planned to release confidential technical information worldwide that would help competitors design software that worked more smoothly with Windows, Windows Server, Exchange, Office and SharePoint.Though, its good for a change and ofcourse its an ideal move to get more into supporting more and more OPEN SOURCE applications and materials and will help Microsoft to shed their Negative image( had been with, Lately).
According to the sources, the competitors in the Browser market are giving it a deep thought and evaluation rather then instantly reacting on it.
“It is, of course, a good development that Microsoft will make changes to allow users to choose their own default Web browser,” said John Lilly, the chief executive of Mozilla, which makes Firefox, the second-most-used browser after Internet Explorer. But Mr. Lilly said he reserved judgment on the proposal until seeing details, including which browsers would be able to participate in the ballot and under what terms, and whether Microsoft would use automatic updates to offer a browser choice to existing Windows users.
Well, whatsoever this came as a fresh Start for Microsoft who i guess is planning out a strategy or something to Counter the new generation needs and making brand Microsoft more admirable and generating interest about in all sorts of communities across.
More Read : http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/09/352&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
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