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Microsoft's IE7 Search Box Bugs Google
tessaiga writes "The New York Times reports that Google is crying foul over a new IE7 search box feature that defaults to MSN Search. Although the feature can be modified to use Google or other search engines, Google asserts that "The best way to handle the search box [...] would be to give users a choice when they first start up Internet Explorer 7." Google goes on to assert that the move "limits consumer choice and is reminiscent of the tactics that got Microsoft into antitrust trouble in the late 1990s". I notice that in my version of Firefox the search box defaults to Google, and that the pulldown menu of pre-entered options doesn't even include MSN Search, but Google seems to have been oddly quiet on that front for the many years prior to IE7 that Firefox has made this feature available."
automatically get downloaded as a "fix" from your friendly monopolistic OS provider, linking to its own service.
The cesspool just got a check and balance.
This is true, but there is a slight difference... Firefox and Google are 2 different entitities, whereas IE and MSN search are both owned by Microsoft. IE has 90% of the browser market share, thus its decision to set MSN as the default search engine COULD be considered as illegal monopolistic competition.
My IE 7 beta allows me to change to Google quite easily... I think this is pretty retarded seeing how Firefox is beating IE 7 out, and it's just a damn search engine. Do we pay to use either? Nope, all it's coming down to is Google getting greedy and wanting money from people viewing their adds. Can we say the same about installing the google toolbar and it defaulting to Google? How DARE they release a product that defaults to their mode of search! I can't even change it to another search engine! Monopoly! Anti trust! The sky is falling! Get over it people.. Sheesh
they cant say jack in this situation as I'm looking at my Google toolbar which has Google as default and no MSN for a choice. Yah please shut the fuck up. If they had a Google browser they Google would be the main choice also.
by TheSpoom (715771) Uncaring Linux user here. I have nothing to add to this but please continue. *munches popcorn*
Let's see...
First off, Firefox is not a Google product. Firefox as an independent group chose to use Google, which has more to do with Google being the superior search engine. IE7 and MSN are both Microsoft products. MSN Search is certainly not better than Google. The use of MSN in IE7 points to a business decision by Microsoft rather than a decision to go with the best technology.
Secondly, Google is not the only pre-loaded choice in Firefox. Five other search possibilities come pre-loaded. IE7 only comes pre-loaded with one choice.
And lastly, Google nor FireFox are convicted monopolists, but Microsoft is. This is just more of the same from Microsoft.
> It should make absolutely no difference whether the product being promoted is yours or a third party's.
Unless you're a convicted monopoly.
The main difference between the IE7 search box and the Firefox and Opera search boxes is that the IE7 search box comes preloaded with only one search provider: MSN. Firefox and Opera both include a half-dozen or so providers when you install them.
That's admirable but it's only a small part of the software freedom you enjoy.
What is "preloaded" with Firefox is entirely up to the distro you are using. Any of the thousands of GNU/Linux distros can put whatever they want there. What the Mozilla foundation does is irrelevant and the issue is spurious. You have options, right down to making your own distribution. An easier option for larger organizations is custom package management. Because free software has no owner, you own your computer.
What is "preloaded" on a Windoze system is what Bill Gates wants. The user, ultimately, has no choice because user settings can be undone with any "update." When someone else owns your software, they own your computer.
The other kind of "preloading" is OS preloading by every major computer vendor, which is obnoxious. It's not easy to avoid the M$ tax and Paladium promisses to make it even more difficult. It's a good thing M$ is flexing their muscles on such a pointless but visible thing. Such things should make the EU anti-trust fine decisions quicker and easier. I'm looking forward to the EU taxing those morons $500,000,000/day.
Friends don't help friends install M$ junk.
How dumb are you? NO, honestly, I ask for clarification purposes.
The original poster was correct, Microsoft is attempting to use it's OS dominance to drive out Google. You only have to look at history to understand this. Netscape had the market lead in browsers. Microsoft bundled IE with it's operating system and what happened? IE gained market control of the browser market.
Don't think that can't happen with Google?
Again, I ask you how dumb are you?
Not as dumb as you my friend.
You're going to tell me a court is going to overlook the fact that Google owns almost 50% market share in search, and that MSFT's attempt to set its default to MSN search is somehow endangering that?
Oh, how about Google using it's dominant market position in Search to push Firefox? I don't see IE anywhere on the list of software available in the Google Pack.
You always a have a knee jerk response to shit you know nothing about?
BTW, Netscape failed because they tried to become more than a browser, they wanted to become the "netscape network", diverting resources into a pipe dream instead of using them to promote their browser.
GNAA Announces Cleansing Of The Star Trek Gene Pool Impi - Black Ops, South Africa It is with great regret that we in the glorious GNAA were called to arms against a revered institution known as Star Trek. Impi, while in training as a high priest in the popular religious cult scientology, was approached by William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy to contract the services of the Black Ops wing of the GNAA. Both Shatner and Nimoy, on which the Star Trek franchise and legend were built, expressed serious concern with regard to the affront of a little known "television station" called G4TV. "Star Trek prides itself on boldly going where no man has gone before. Not boldly sitting on your fat ass and playing computer games and talking about it in a failed IRC channel!" said Shatner. "G4TV is taking the very ethos of Star Trek and perverting it for profit. They have targeted a segment of the population known as Fatmerica. Their actions in sanctioning such an event promote obesity and diabetes within our youth and we as Star Trek representatives do not want to be associated with this sentiment." Leonard Nimoy was instrumental in crafting the attack on #startrek20 on the IRC network irc.gamesurge.net. Using an exploit that allowed a redirect from the www.g4tv.com to the infamous Last Measure, many fatties were tricked into being Last Measured. "They turned on us," said Neal Tiles, president of G4TV. "It was like stampede at a buffet, there was nothing we could do. People were ping timing out all over the place. Mothers were calling the station asking why their children were looking at gay porno. It was a nightmare. Our moderator of the channel, Ravager|CH, tried valiantly to keep things together, but he was eventually g-lined due to massive complaints against the channel." The overwhelming success of the operation was reflected by the failed moderator Ravager|CH own words: [23:37] another ruined night.. About G4TV: Jews4Profit
By who? RMS and the EFF? Majority market share does not constitute a monopoly. If it did, most industries would be monopoly-dominated. Get past the hyperbolic bullshit you read from Linux and Mac evangalists on Slashdot.
IE is, by definition a Default & Preset. IE is forced upon you, Firefox and Opera is chosen.
If IE is forced upon you, then why can you use Firefox and Opera on Windows?
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