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But it was the wishes of these very users to use something NON-Microsoft for browsing the Internet. It seems like Microsoft is pissing all over those very people's wishes by ALTERING their alternate, THIRD-PARTY browser installation by installing their crap in it. Is that *not* why such people may choose to use Firefox anyway? To run something that has a reputation for being safer and not dictating what you do with the Web? And yet Microsoft strikes back yet again--thinking they can change the browsing experience of people who don't even use *their* f***ing browser.
Edited 2010-06-10 03:02 UTC
a Mozilla spokesperson told Ars Technica, "As far as we know at this time, there are no security implications to this add-on's background installation."
That still doesn't excuse the fact they did this installation without user consent. Google's Chrome Frame plugin was announced, and is Opt-In.
But Steve Ballmer is living in his distorted reality where making bad decisions, losing major accounts, and then firing subordinates is just fine.
I'm a Mac/Linux guy...so they can't touch me, but I am seriously giving M$ the Colbert Finger Wag.
I disagree. Actually, most general users do care what gets installed on their computers, they just have a lot of trouble determining what is or isn't valid and/or expressing what exactly they want. I've worked on thousands of computers running Windows, OS X, and Linux and most consumers may not be able to clearly express why or what happens to their computers when there's a problem but awareness of Microsoft's putting profit and control over providing their customers with a quality product/experience is well-known. These aren't ignorant people as you infer, they have skills and expertise in areas outside computer stuff. As for your very, very outdated 95% market share reference, I simply feel guilty for feeding yet another troll with this comment.
They can't? Seems to me like they just did, isn't that why we're pissed off in the first place? They *should not* mess with 3rd party software, but they most certainly *can* do so. Personally, my Windows system wasn't affected, as I don't install windows live at all. As a rule, I don't install anything with ads in it no matter what the os, and windows live has ads flashing all over the place so it never gets anywhere near my windows machine.




Member since:
2006-10-27
Fact ist that most users don't care what is installed on their PCs. Actually they're even thankful that MS installs extensions they would install anyway. And exactly these "most users" is MS's target market. What MS does is, to fulfill its target market's wishes. It's that simple. Of course there are also unhappy users but it's always a trade-off: 5% of the target market vs. 95%.