MS, EU Agree on Name for Windows Sans Media Player
An anonymous reader writes "Microsoft has agreed with European Union antitrust regulators on a new name for Windows software sold in Europe. Officials at the U.S. software giant said they had accepted the European Union's offer to call the European version of Windows sold without Media Player "Windows XP Home Edition N" - with "N" standing for "not with media player." Microsoft's "XP Professional Edition" will also include the "N" for versions sold without the media player. The prior name for the OS was Windows XP Reduced Media Edition." News.com also mentions the choice.
The parent is on the right track, but is missing the real reason. The reason it's okay for Apple and not okay for Microsoft is that Microsoft is a monopoly, and Apple is not. There are things that non-monopolies can do that monopolies can't. If I'm not a monopoly, I can sell Bob a copy of my software for $49 and sell the same software to Steve for $4,999 -- but Steve doesn't have to buy it from me. Monopolies, on the other hand, have restrictions which prevent them from abusing the fact that the consumer *has* to buy it from me.
or how about "how many smartasses are going to try to be 'above it all' by posting comments complaining about the comments"?
commenting on comments, or metacommenting, is really easy to do and makes you look cool even if you have nothing to say. so come on everyone let's complain a little more about the comments and maybe we can completely ruin slashdot and make it another fark.com
sorry
this is the recommended method to get high karma since the karma system was undermined and subverted by corporate/authoritarian shills. the karma system is near broken. reading at lower thresholds no longer lowers the quality of the comments you see. greatgrandparent post is immediate proof
yes I know i'm using scary and extreme words like subvert and shill, but don't mod me down because they ARE real words. you just never hear them.
sorry