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Microsoft Kills Off Mac IE, Blames Safari

Posted by jamie on from the convenient-excuse-wanders-by dept.

aliebrah writes "CNet reports that Microsoft will not release any more major upgrades for Internet Explorer on MacOS. They cite competition from Safari as the reason for this decision, and say that Safari is a better browser for Macintosh systems. Ironically, they also say that they can't compete with Apple, because Apple has better access to the underlying operating system." Yeah, that must be rough. Today's SlashDotFunQuiz is to predict the order in which, impact when, and years until these other Mac products get the axe: Media Player, MSN Messenger, Office, Outlook, and Virtual PC.

26 of 1,128 comments (clear)

  1. Completion? by CptChipJew · · Score: 4, Funny

    They cite competition from Safari as the reason for this decision

    The best part is, Safari isn't done yet.

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    Vonal Declosion
    1. Re:Completion? by RoLi · · Score: 3, Funny
      Mozilla is the browser on Linux

      I think you got that wrong, the correct spelling is:

      Konqueror

    2. Re:Completion? by Bradee-oh! · · Score: 4, Funny

      "Mozilla is the browser on Linux"
      I think you got that wrong, the correct spelling is:
      Konqueror
      "I'll have a coffee"
      "Beer it is"
      "No, coffee..."
      "Beer..."
      "Cof-fee"
      "Be-er"
      "C..o.. ."
      "B..e..."

      --
      "This is Zombo Com, and welcome to you who have come to Zombo Com" - www.zombo.com
  2. One down, one to go... by ksdd · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now if they'd only do the same for the Windows version of IE...

    1. Re:One down, one to go... by Uart · · Score: 5, Funny

      Perhaps they'll just call it quits altogether.

      "Steve, we've had a good run..." - Bill Gates
      "Aww come on, I was just havin' some fun" - Steve Ballmer
      "I want to get out while we're still ahead" - Bill Gates

      or something to that effect.

      --

      Opinionated Law Student Strikes Again!
    2. Re:One down, one to go... by Moochman · · Score: 2, Funny

      Hello???? M O Z I L L A. How is IE the only game in town??????

  3. Linux? by bazik · · Score: 5, Funny

    So when do they kill off Windows and blame it on Linux?

    --


    --
    One by one the penguins steal my sanity...
    1. Re:Linux? by Ambush · · Score: 2, Funny
      So when do they kill off Windows and blame it on Linux?

      Around about when they claim they don't have access to the underlying operating system.

      --
      There are 10 kinds of people; those who know ternary, those who don't, and those now hunting for a dictionary.
  4. Limited access to OS by server_wench · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...yeah, that is a real problem with open source.

  5. Bill Gates? Steve Jobs here... by Noryungi · · Score: 4, Funny

    Speaking with Bugs Bunny voice:

    "Of course you realize this means... WAR!!!"

    (Steve J. hangs up and speed dials Apple Legal Dept. and DOJ...)

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    The right to offend is far more important than the right not to be offended. (Rowan Atkinson)
  6. Now Let's Port Safari to Windows by 5.11Climber · · Score: 5, Funny

    That way, Microsoft will be forced to kill Windows entirely!

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    Arf!
  7. Microsoft Kills Off Windows IE, Blames Mozilla by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Microsoft will not release any more major upgrades for Internet Explorer on Windows. They cite competition from Mozilla as the reason for this decision, and say that Mozilla is a better browser for Windows systems. Ironically, they also say that they can't compete with Mozilla, because IE has better access to the underlying operating system.

  8. But... by Faust7 · · Score: 4, Funny
    Now if they'd only do the same for the Windows version of IE...

    But they're one and the same, remember? You kill off IE, you kill off Windows!

    ...

    *rubs chin*

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    The coolest voice ever.
  9. Re:Doesn't really come as a surprise to me by the+eric+conspiracy · · Score: 4, Funny

    They're really pushing for an operating system that let you browse the Internet instead, where perhaps the browser component of the OS might happen to be called Internet Explorer.

    In a related story, DrJooz and his hax0r budz cross off MacOS X as a happy hacking playground with the statement "Without direct access to the underlying OS via the browser Mac OS X is just going to too secure to be any fun."

    It is widely anticipated that Microsoft's plans to run Windows browsing services in Ring 0 will provide DrJooz and his friends lots of fun and games.

  10. Re:Three words... by finkployd · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'd say "How do you like them apples", but it's too obvious a pun.

    Yes, we are all glad you decided not to say that.

    wait a minute......

    Finkployd

  11. Help push Mac users towards Safari by TheMidget · · Score: 5, Funny
    Add the following lines into your .htaccess:

    RewriteEngine On
    RewriteCond %{HTTP_USER_AGENT} MSIE.*Mac [NC]
    RewriteRule .*
    http://news.com.com/2100-1045_3-1017126.html [R]
  12. Yay! And there was much rejoicing... by darekana · · Score: 2, Funny

    Now I can get rid of my Javascript that detects MacIE and tells them to go download Mozilla or Safari!

    Awesome.

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    Interactive Visual Medical Dictionary
  13. ploy? by aoj · · Score: 2, Funny

    Maybe M$ wants access to Apple source code. Longhorn is due 2005 after all.

  14. Stupid MS by john_smith_45678 · · Score: 1, Funny

    Why don't they just buy Safari, then discontinue it?

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    John Kerry is a Joke!
  15. Quiz Answers by Wordsmith · · Score: 3, Funny

    Microsoft will kill off first:

    Media Player
    MSN Messenger
    Office
    Outlook
    Virtual PC
    Cowboyneal, but I'll never give up my old fat binary of him.

  16. Re:Not smart by KingAdrock · · Score: 3, Funny

    This would actually be a good thing, as it would result in him losing to Clinton in 2008.

  17. Uncontrollable kneejerk reaction by pimpinmonk · · Score: 2, Funny
    Ironically, they also say that they can't compete with Apple, because Apple has better access to the underlying operating system.
    When I read that I just got so incredibly mad I started blurting out expletives! No lie! I can't believe the hypocrisy they are showing. Well can't talk now I'm still busy cursing...
  18. Does not have the access to the OS... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny
    Microsoft felt that customers were better served by using Apple's browser, noting that Microsoft does not have the access to the Macintosh operating system that it would need


    Looking at IE, I wonder if MS lacks access to the Windows OS too

  19. Re:Isn't this a good thing for all of us? by benb · · Score: 3, Funny

    heh, platform users charaterized:
    - Windows: I have no clue, I just do what all the others do
    - Mac: I want the best and nicest tool
    - Linux: Give me freedom or give me death

  20. Re:Isn't this a good thing for all of us? by benb · · Score: 2, Funny

    > But where does it leave the FreeBSD people?

    Maybe "Give me a real operating system"?

  21. Re:the reasons are really simple by vladkrupin · · Score: 2, Funny

    ... and also maybe their SCO license does not allow them to develop for OSX?

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    Jobs? Which jobs?