European Commission Plans Criminal Case Against Microsoft

[de.das.dude]

Originally Posted by Fourstaff

Every single one of them describes themselves as fast, other than Safari (which is probably slow?!). Actually I don't see a problem in using IE now, its pretty polished.

True. new IE is pretty good.

[Covert_Death]

mehhh new IE still sucks when compared to chrome or FF

my view, MS should be able to build THEIR OS using THEIR software, whats next? give us an option to install OpenOffice when we try to install Microsoft Office????? fuk no

the ONLY thing I would give in on the side of the EU Commission is that there should be a way to uninstall IE. i don't like the fact that you aren't even allowed to remove it

[TheMailMan78]

Originally Posted by Grim_Reaper

Actually it is their responsibility. It's like buying Ferrari, and running 300km/h within city limits, and later saying- "it's not my guilt, that's care running to fast".
Since IE is included in price of OS, it must be competitive. Otherwise, ppl should be able to exclude any software they don't need to be in OS. For exapmle Firefox, Chrome, and Opera are free browsers, and IMO much better than IE. Why not include them instead like they did with defraggers? Oh, about them. FYI information, Microsoft uses Third-Party proprietary defraggers, which included in price of OS. And to be honest, that is utter crap, even compared to the worst free ones.
And if someone don't care about the price of stuff coming within OS, sets me thinking this OS is loaded "somewhere". If you don't use IE, why pay for it then?

Then its Coke responsibility to include one Pepsi in every 6 pack.

I like and use IE and am glad its included in every install of Windows. No one is stopping anyone from downloading and using Linux. Don't like IE? Learn to like Linux or OSX.

[tacosRcool]

The European Commission is pretty communist. They don't look at other companies who provide their own OS's with their own built in web browser. A bunch of crap.

Also I agree with all other comments that say the EU is doing this to bail themselves out.

[erocker]

I'd like to see Microsoft pull out of the EU market for the time being. See what happens.

[TheMailMan78]

Originally Posted by Grim_Reaper

Where does Linux come in?
The ones who use linux, are smart enough to fix own mistakes. And they are free whether to install something or not. However Windows is paid product and lacks this option. Many ppl say they don't use IE, as long as some others software, so they must have an option to not pay for the options they don't need. Or sell the OS with only required features, make it less expensive. Or, µ$ must include only competitive software for reasonable price. But instead they leave ppl without choice.
The only reasons why Windows is still on the go, is because it's quite simple, and ppl don't know and don't need to learn linux. And the more important factor is that most software, including games have no support for linux-based OS. It's often too hard to get simple proper web-cam drivers.

Its a MS product. If you don't like what they have to offer then don't buy it. They do not have a monopoly on the market. This is just EU looking for cash again.

Again should Coke offer one can of Pepsi in every six pack?

Originally Posted by erocker

I'd like to see Microsoft pull out of the EU market for the time being. See what happens.

Maybe the EU should add an OS tax to VAT so the EU could develop its own OS for the masses.

[Fourstaff]

Originally Posted by Grim_Reaper

Coke is Pepsi rival. Microsoft has no rivals, except iOS. Rival means something equal, competitively strong.

Remove the incumbent and alternatives will step in the void. Especially so if its a virtual monopoly like microsoft.

[TheMailMan78]

Originally Posted by Grim_Reaper

Happen what? µ$ already ignored support of e.g. LIVE in many countries where Windows is being sold. As much as games. But it doesn't stop them to get money for these options.

But Microsoft won't quit EU market, because it is significant pile o'cash. So they are ready to suffer any financial punishment, because it still is a tiny bit from what EU consumers pay.
The another reason, hardware manufacturers like Intel AMD and nVidia won't let Microsoft to do this. Windows is a brand that whips up the HW technologies. And linux won't let them get any real pickings being a free platform.



Coke is Pepsi rival. Microsoft has no rivals, except iOS, which isn't even close to the challenge. Rival means something equal, competitively strong. So this gives a choice, which is possible in case of Coke and Pepsi, and is impossible in case of Windows.

OSX and Linux users would like to have a word with you.

[erocker]

Originally Posted by Grim_Reaper

Coke is Pepsi rival. Microsoft has no rivals, except iOS, which isn't even close to the challenge. Rival means something equal, competitively strong. So this gives a choice, which is possible in case of Coke and Pepsi, and is impossible in case of Windows.

Are we talking about the O/S or internet browsers? Pretty sure the post you quoted was referring to browsers. Pretty sure this thread is about browsers. I don't see what right the EU has in taking any of Microsoft's money. They really don't. They don't make any browsers.. or operating systems.

[Maelstrom]

[3870x2]

Originally Posted by erocker

I'd like to see Microsoft pull out of the EU market for the time being. See what happens.

I wanted to say this earlier, but figured I would just get flamed because the context is ridiculous.

Originally Posted by TheMailMan78

OSX and Linux users would like to have a word with you.

You failed to ridicule him for missing the point. I am ashamed of you MM.

@ Reaper:
It isn't the operating system at hand, it is Internet Explorer, and yes it does have competition.

[Mr McC]

I see a lot of hostility towards the EU based on allegations of spurious motives for unnecessary free-market interference, resentment of success or a blatant cash grab.

I fail to see why MS did not comply - if they provide a quality product, most people will choose it when given the option anyway and however ludricrous a regulation appears, I do not feel that a company's intentional failure to comply should ever be applauded - whether or not the regulation is fair, logical or in need of revision is an entirely different question.

[TheMailMan78]

Originally Posted by Mr McC

I see a lot of hostility towards the EU based on allegations of spurious motives for unnecessary free-market interference, resentment of success or a blatant cash grab.

I fail to see why MS did not comply - if they provide a quality product, most people will choose it when given the option anyway and however ludricrous a regulation appears, I do not feel that a company's intentional failure to comply should ever be applauded - whether or not the regulation is fair, logical or in need of revision is an entirely different question.

Because all laws are just and should be followed. If the EU really believed it was a REAL issue they could simply ban Windows from being sold in EU nations. Instead we get a petty fine to add to the EU's coffers. Its a cash grab.

Originally Posted by 3870x2

You failed to ridicule him for missing the point. I am ashamed of you MM.

Because sometimes its to easy man. I get a sense of abuse and I hold back. Sometimes I have mercy.

[mtosev]

if i was the EU i would give them a small fine and if they did something wrong again and they didn't respect the law i would give them a big to pay

[Mr McC]

Originally Posted by TheMailMan78

Because all laws are just and should be followed. If the EU really believed it was a REAL issue they could simply ban Windows from being sold in EU nations. Instead we get a petty fine to add to the EU's coffers. Its a cash grab.

Company trading laws or sanctions imposed by a region the size of Europe? Yes they should always be followed by companies that wish to avoid fines - again why place the onus on the EU, we can at least agree that however ridiciulous the regulation appears, there are little grounds for complaint - Microsoft had little to do if it wished to avoid the cash grab, and it may well be a cash grab, bit before anyone points the finger, it isn't the only one occurring

[douglatins]

This is lame, sue MAC OSX then, i bet they don't have a screen to choose a browser from.
I don't find anything wrong with bundling the browser. Everyone is completely free to choose their browser, and ms doesnt block any other browsers

[eidairaman1]

EU can go suck a fattie i say. MS could screw EU over by just dropping support to them permanently, or not releasing OS or other programs to them.

[FordGT90Concept]

Greece, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and Portugal draining EU's coffers; EU sues American corporations to pad their wallets. Nothing new here.

[Prima.Vera]

Originally Posted by eidairaman1

EU can go suck a fattie i say. MS could screw EU over by just dropping support to them permanently, or not releasing OS or other programs to them.

They pay a fine of 1 billion, but their net income is over 10 billion in EU...Keep dreaming of dropping support in EU, hehe.

[mtosev]

Originally Posted by FordGT90Concept

Greece, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and Portugal draining EU's coffers; EU sues American corporations to pad their wallets. Nothing new here.

nope

In March 2004, the EU ordered Microsoft to pay €497 million ($794 million or £381 million), the largest fine ever handed out by the EU at the time, in addition to the previous penalties, which included 120 days to divulge the server information and 90 days to produce a version of Windows without Windows Media Player.[4][5][6]
Microsoft already had problems with the EU before the debt crisis

[Covert_Death]

why does EU think they can dictate how Windows gets packaged???

should we force car manufacturers to offer different companies engines? noooooooo
should we force all restaurants to offer something on their menu from a competitor? nooooooo

i mean seriously, its their software! the EU should have ZERO jurisdiction to dictate how M$ builds and packages their OS, especially for including their own software....

too put it simply, what the EU is doing in unethical. but whats new, too much these days is unethical i think we just accept it as the norm

why not sue apple?! the iPhone doesn't even ALLOW alternative browsers, now THATS a monopoly, NO?

Wake up EU! Too much crumpets and tea you have had

[3870x2]

Careful when you blame EU. They have no more control over their asshats than we do ours. And believe me, ours is much worse.

[Morgoth]

quickly assassinate European Commission and executed operation Valkyre !

[DannibusX]

Microsoft should just ship all EU versions of Windows without a web browser at all.

[3870x2]

Originally Posted by DannibusX

Microsoft should just ship all EU versions of Windows without a web browser at all.

Probably shouldnt ship with TCP/IP either, as there are competing products out there.