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Microsoft Antitrust Compliance Questioned
rocketjam writes "Federal and State regulators overseeing Microsoft's compliance with their antitrust agreement with the government, are questioning whether Windows XP's "Shop for Music Online" feature violates the agreement's terms. Specifically, the feature invokes Microsoft Internet Explorer, even if the user has selected a different web browser as their default browser. A Microsoft representative said they believe they have adhered to the agreement."
When MSN Messenger starts, it opens an Internet Explorer window with some advertainment. If you click on any of the links in that window, they also open Internet Explorer. My default browser is Mozilla.
The world will not get better through technology. We must seek to be better people.
[sarcasm]
Microsoft not complying with a settlement order? Say it ain't so, as there is no precedent for such a thing.
[/sarcasm]
Govt: MS, you are not giving users a choice here.
MS: "But your honor, we are giving users a choice. They can use IE for shop for music online or just not shop."
Ahhhh, the MS way.
No trees were harmed in the composition of this; however, numerous electrons were inconvenienced.
A Microsoft representative said they believe they have adhered to the agreement.
In as much as Microsoft thinks they have a manifest destiny to conquer and subdue the entire computing industry, they certainly "believe" they have complied with an agreement they didn't want, fought against, and ignore whenever possible.
Napster-to-go says "Fill and refill your compatible MP3 player", which is a lie. It's not MP3. It's WMA with DRM.
Think about it, if MS wanted to stick it to the other browsers they really SHOULD use them everywhere like with Media Player and Messenger launches, etc.
With all of the proprietary crud that IE uses to make those things work the third party browsers would crash and burn (assuming MS only changed which browser gets launched and not anything else about the technology to actually support them).
Then MS could say "See judge, we told you other browsers were crap. Let us switch back to IE for the poor helpless users and all of their troubles will be over..."
just how sharply Microsoft had their wrist slapped. I mean really. That wrist stung for over 15 minutes. There was a red mark that lasted at least until dinner. Microsoft had trouble typing for the rest of the evening. I personally believe that Microsoft has really learned their lesson this time. I feel comfortable going on vacation and leaving them here alone, with the keys to the Porsche and the liquor cabinet unlocked. I'm confident that they now understand to respect the rights of other companies and that they won't give them wedgies and leave them hanging from the fence. If we can't trust our own Microsoft, then who can we trust?
but what do the feds call iTunes, Napster 2.0, etc?
How about "not subject to anti-trust litigation".
I have something in common with Stephen Hawking...
isn't windowsupdate another thing that requires IE? i think that's pretty bad. get your security updates, but use an insecure browser to do it with. makes a lot of sense to me...
please me, have no regrets.
Microsoft originally got in trouble not for just being a monopoly, but for abusing it's OS monopoly to crush competition in the Browser market.
Now while everyone is crying over their Mozilla not launching instead of IE (come on babies... big freakin deal), the fact that Microsoft is abusing it's OS monopoly to go after online music sales and online search engines slips quietly under the radar.
I know you really love those Mozilla skins and Tabbing... but follow the money to see where the real crime is happening.
My default browser under MacOS9 is Mozilla 1.3.1. MSIE does not exist on my Mac. I have, however, installed Outlook Express and MSN Messenger.
Whenever I click on a link within either of these two programs, an attempt is made to launch MSIE and not the default browser. Of course, nothing happens because both of these programs unsurprisingly launch only MSIE for this function.
Since this is MacOS, are they allowed to do this kind of thing? I assume "maybe" but if not, where do I submit my complaint?
If the browser wars are over then why is Microsoft highjacking browser preference settings?
The browser wars are over in the same way that the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are over and the Camp David Accords brought peace to the Middle East.
The world is becoming more and more browser based, like it or not, and he who controls the browser will control the platform, which right now looks to be the network.
That said, Jean-Louis Gasse was right when he told the DoJ they were prosecuting the wrong behaviour.
KFG
I hate Windows as much as anyone, but... what the fuck? What the fucking fuck fuck?
Are you seriously telling me that I should go into my corner store, plunk down $750 on a case, mobo, hard drive, stick of RAM, video card, and hear "I'd like to take your $149 for this gaming system you're building, Mr. Tackhead, but I've already sold my 70% of Windows XP Licenses this month. If either you or the two customers behind you would like to buy Red Hat for $49.99 and this surplus Pentium I for $99.99 and install it, right here, and sign this binding agreement that you'll continue to use it for the rest of the lifetime of the machine, my Compliance Report to the State Commissioner for Operating System Market Share will report the sale of an additional Linux license, which will permit me to sell another three Windows licenses before the SCOSMS fines kick in. Thank you for your co-operation in these trying times."
I say again - a state-mandated market share for operating systems - what the fucking fuck fuck?
Perhaps it is not I who is desensitised, but you who is hypersensitive to something as trivial as this.
I don't enjoy being forced to use a bug ridden software package that could, should I browse to the wrong site, allow a remote attacker to root my box.
So yeah, I am "hypersensitive".
Here's a clue, free of charge: It's your computer. Not MS's, Not the RIAA's, not Apple's and not the MPAA's. Yours. You may do with it what you wish, and if that means allowing MS to tell you what apps you get to use, that's your choice.
Note, however, that that would not be my choice.
Mod me down with all of your hatred and your journey towards the dark side will be complete!
This is the campaign to reelect Congressman Cornhole...
Good morning, this is Antitrust Compliance. May I have your bank account number please?
Err... 3746-987467-2634.
That's 3746-987467-2634?
Err... yes.
Thank you. Now, what is the issue here with Congressman Cornhole's office?
There's been some suggestion that your compliance with the Department of Justice agreement is in question.
Thank you... One moment please... Is twenty correct?
Twenty?
Twenty thousand.
Oh. Yes. Thankyou!
Thank you for calling Microsoft Antitrust Compliance. Have a nice day. (click)
"Only in their dreams can men truly be free 'twas always thus, and always thus will be."
--Tom Schulman
They believe..whatever they want to believe.
Sorry, I saw Reloaded again last night...
Sosumi.
If you don't want to repeat the past, stop living in it.