Details are scarce at the moment, but testers familiar with the recently leaked Windows 7 build 7048 confirm that Internet Explorer 8 is now an optional component in Windows 7. This is most likely a direct consequence of the EU investigation into the bundling of IE. Still, a few questions remain.
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Member since:2006-02-15
I think that the idea is that if companies that make and sell systems want to install a different browser, they should be allowed to replace IE with Firefox, Opera, Chrome etc.
This would allow for example, Google to pay HP or Dell to replace IE with Chrome.
But, what does it matter if IE is still installed if the default browser being shipped with the computer is f.ex. Chrome, all links open with it, and IE is only visible if you look for it in the Start menu? As far as I see, it doesn't matter at all in practice. It only matters to people who just happen to get their pants or panties in a twist over arbitrary things.
And yes, unless Microsoft has made a deal with the OEMs then they could already ship those PCs with some alternative browser as the default one. They just don't do it.
Do note, just because something is included by default doesn't mean it's a bad thing, especially in the case of such a mandatory app as a web browser, and even if it is included and installed by default doesn't mean you are forced to use it.
Member since:2006-07-30
Member since:2006-08-09
You know basically why the EU commission is doing this is to at least be able to show it's doing something in the field of cartel regulation, dealing with monopolies etc.
No matter how silly it looks, it's their way to not go after far bigger, more powerful and dirtier corporations than Microsoft (for those of us with one leg in the non-geek universe - they do exist! :-) ). Whether it's pharma, oil, arms manufacturing, chemicals corpotations dumping waste, carmakers that refuse to make their cars efficient, etc.
Edited 2009-03-04 20:49 UTC
Member since:2007-09-23
The problem is with people whom come to associate "internet" with "the blue e". I am not saying that if you remove the blue e they will suddenly realise where the association went wrong. It's just that if IE is installed, it will be used by a lot of people due to the fact that IE has already gained a market share that's large enough to make people think this way.
Member since:2007-03-06
That would help keeping web developers' motivation to follow web standards at a minimum.
Why would you take the time to fix your page if users still can launch IE to browse broken sites?
Only when they realize that a huge part of their potential visitors (clients?) would be unable to view their broken stuff at all we can expect abominations like IE-only bank and government sites to disappear.
Member since:
2006-07-30
I think that the idea is that if companies that make and sell systems want to install a different browser, they should be allowed to replace IE with Firefox, Opera, Chrome etc.
This would allow for example, Google to pay HP or Dell to replace IE with Chrome.
I dearly hope that this happens eventually, as that is the only way that IE is going to lose its majority market share in the near future.