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Microsoft Softens Up On Competition

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the letting-other-people-through-the-door dept.

shaneFalco writes "The BBC is reporting that Microsoft, prompted in part by their recently legal woes in the European Union will allow vendors to set non-Microsoft applications as the default on Windows computers. This initiative is part of a dozen 'tenets to promote competition' that the company is adopting in the face of stiff criticism of business tactics in Europe. Other tents include not retaliating against businesses that promote non-MS software, and a relaxing of restrictions on licensing Windows-related patents." From the article: "The principles might mean that some manufacturers will promote search engines other than Microsoft's own, Mr Smith said - an apparent reference to Google, which has looked to be on a collision course with Microsoft over search engines. 'There are certain steps we can't take that would have been permitted a decade ago,' the executive added." We touched on this announcement yesterday, but details on the '12 tenets' were less clear at that point.

8 of 150 comments (clear)

  1. How nice by rolyatknarf · · Score: 4, Funny

    The article gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling for Microsoft. They really are nice people after all. They are even going through a twelve step program to make themselves better.

  2. Your Getting A Dell by dduardo · · Score: 4, Funny

    Now with 50% more junk preinstalled with every PC.

    1. Re:Your Getting A Dell by jtwronski · · Score: 2, Funny

      Hmm, I always thought pot was a gateway drug!

      Okay, old joke, but I thought it was fitting.

  3. Re:You can already do this! by rolyatknarf · · Score: 3, Funny
    "Just install the apps and select the preferences you want..."

    and pray it works

  4. Softening... by Goodgerster · · Score: 1, Funny

    ...means "padding the crowbar" in this sense...

  5. Re:Publish volume-based pricing by AngryDill · · Score: 3, Funny
    ...standard volume-based price list to a Web site that is accessible to computer manufacturers, as it has under the U.S. antitrust ruling

    To show how good we know are; we swear we'll keep doing what we're forced to by law! ;-)

    -a.d.-

    --


    I'm Erwin Schrodinger and I approve of this message, and I do not approve of this message!
  6. Dual boot out of the box? by blindseer · · Score: 2, Funny

    Does this mean I can get my dual boot BeOS/Windows computer now?

    What?

    --
    I am armed because I am free. I am free because I am armed.
  7. Re:You can already do this! by chrish · · Score: 2, Funny

    I can't see it because of all the AOL FREE OFFER, etc. icons all over the damn place.

    --
    - chrish