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Windows 7 Eyed For Antitrust Violations

Posted by Zonk on from the keep-it-on-the-up-and-up dept.

Preedit writes "The committee that oversees Microsoft's compliance with the 2002 antitrust settlement now has its hands on Windows 7. The Technical Committee is checking to see if the software meets the settlement's terms. Among other things, it's looking at whether Windows 7 favors Microsoft apps over third party programs, according to InformationWeek. The story also notes that Vista SP1 includes a number of changes that were added to satisfy the committee. For instance, it eliminates several browser overrides where Vista ignored users' default preferences and automatically launched Explorer. Windows 7 is due sometime around 2010."

4 of 290 comments (clear)

  1. Why is Apple Any Better, By These Standards? by roadkill_cr · · Score: 5, Interesting

    "it's looking at whether Windows 7 favors Microsoft apps over third party programs"

    Doesn't Apple very heavily lean towards Apple software?

    (This isn't starting flaming, this is a legitimate question - what separates Apple from Microsoft in these regards?)

  2. Forcing IE by diodeus · · Score: 5, Interesting

    "For instance, it eliminates several browser overrides where Vista ignored users' default preferences and automatically launched Explorer."

    Yup, just try clicking on a link in a Messenger conversation with or without Vista. You get IE, like it or not.

  3. Re:Who cares by QuantumRiff · · Score: 5, Interesting

    You MUST run iTunes
    Hmm.. My ipod I sync with Amarok (on ubuntu). Sure I can't download podcasts and stuff from the itunes store, but it will play any supported media on my player (mp3's).

    My Fiancee has a laptop running windows 2000. Her brand new ipod nano requires version 7.4 of itunes, which won't run on windows 2000. She is doing fine using Winamp!.

    Your logic is completely backwards. If i want DRM'd content from the apple store, I must use itunes, and an ipod. If I don't want to access that content, I don't! Just like if I want DRM'd content from Microsoft for a zune.

    If I want to purchase MP3's legally online, I go to amazon.com, purchase the .mp3 file, and load it onto the player of my choice (including ipods)

    --

    What are we going to do tonight Brain?
  4. Re:Lost causes by zachdms · · Score: 4, Interesting
    I'll stick my neck out here.


    I wrote most of that code. There's no mechanism by which it could reactivate. Hit me up at zachdms at hotmail dotty com and I'll walk through whatever you think you're seeing.


    Most third party players have tended to be a little lackadaisical when it comes to file association implementations. This is one of the big reasons why the new (easy) Vista file association interfaces (Set Default Programs) are so great. Ask your favorite application to support it if they don't already. I've supplied the basics to a number of third party vendors (WinAMP, VLC, MPC-via-CCCP) to get them up and running on this.