Tankus Posted March 22, 2004 Report Share Posted March 22, 2004 EU prepares second case against MicrosoftIndependentEuropean competition authorities are preparing a second probe into alleged anti-competitive behaviour by Microsoft, the world's largest software company.Mario Monti, the European Competition Commissioner, will rule on Wednesday that the company abused its near monopoly in the PC operating-system market. The ruling, which centres on Microsoft's Media Player software, will come after talks over a possible settlement broke down last week between Mr Monti and Microsoft's chief executive, Steve Ballmer. Microsoft now faces a fine of up to €2.5bn (£1.7bn). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted March 23, 2004 Report Share Posted March 23, 2004 I really cannot see what objections there can be to MS bundling IE and Windows Media Player etc with Windows. This does not prevent other programs from being used, it's called personal choice. Just look at some of the large computer suppliers in this country, frequently offering so called free printers, cameras, and software programs etc. How often do you see a supermarket make an offer of buy one and get one free, or buy a super pack with 50% extra free. Is all this to be stopped? We wouldn't be using our relatively cheap computers today if it wasn't for Microsoft. There are just as many good points about the company as there are bad points. People should live in the real world. It was after all MS who developed the Windows system, so why shouldn't they develop it in the way that suites them? We don't HAVE TO buy a Windows computer, it's just that most of us do so by choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted March 23, 2004 Report Share Posted March 23, 2004 How is the EU going to enforce this penalty?Microsoft is not based in Europe and has no connection with it other than to sell its products there. If the European authorities try and get tough, all MS has to do is withdraw its goodwill and products - who will suffer then? It won't be Microsoft.The European "ivory tower" of professional politicians who have no idea of the real world must realise that in the larger scheme of things, Europe is but a dingle berry. There is a much bigger market than Europe in the opened and opening countries of the Far East, Middle East, South America, Russia, Africa not even counting North America.Europe flexing muscle like this is as much use as employing Pinnochio as a night club bouncer. :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Besty Posted March 23, 2004 Report Share Posted March 23, 2004 But then microsoft wouldn't get as much buisness Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted March 23, 2004 Report Share Posted March 23, 2004 How is the EU going to enforce this penalty?Microsoft is not based in Europe and has no connection with it other than to sell its products there. If the European authorities try and get tough, all MS has to do is withdraw its goodwill and products - who will suffer then? It won't be Microsoft.The European "ivory tower" of professional politicians who have no idea of the real world must realise that in the larger scheme of things, Europe is but a dingle berry. There is a much bigger market than Europe in the opened and opening countries of the Far East, Middle East, South America, Russia, Africa not even counting North America.Europe flexing muscle like this is as much use as employing Pinnochio as a night club bouncer. :blink:Just a load of Wallies POPS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tankus Posted March 23, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2004 Ive got to be honest ...I like XP .... what would have happened if IBM had been a bit more on the ball and used their own proprietary OS ....I used to have bad feelings towards BG under win95 ...Now with XP , I think ...good luck to him ...... I think were now at the internet glory days , or possibley going past it ...Longhorn OS going to have a lot of registry features that cost or restrict ( or so I understand) , with a lot more sites looking to profit (nothing wrong with a profit motive) , and governments wanting to get in on the act ...(money ...? ) Maybe the EU is looking for a lever to bring the cost down of the governments using the OS ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ellas Posted March 23, 2004 Report Share Posted March 23, 2004 I agree with andsome,I see no reason why I/E and WMP should not be included, but like Tankus I have worries about the way longhorn is going and think xp will live as the best o/s ever, longhorn will be like big brother and be nothing but a spyware program like those we so detest and try to eliminate with the likes of ad-aware. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r4may Posted March 27, 2004 Report Share Posted March 27, 2004 Would be better if these were 'Optional' Installations so if you prefer something else you could save storage space. :unsure: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted March 27, 2004 Report Share Posted March 27, 2004 Would be better if these were 'Optional' Installations so if you prefer something else you could save storage space. :unsure:Sounds reasonable, but no way should Microsoft be banned from bundling them. They could be bundled with the option NOT to install if that is what you want, or if already installed, the chance to uninstall if that is also what you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted March 27, 2004 Report Share Posted March 27, 2004 Windows 95 came with IE and was thought to be anti-competitive all those years ago. [i think i'm right there] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.