Ballmer "Interested" In Open Source Browser Engine

Da Massive writes "'Why is IE still relevant and why is it worth spending money on rendering engines when there are open source ones available that can respond to changes in Web standards faster?,' asked a young developer to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer in Sydney yesterday. 'That's cheeky, but a good question, but cheeky,' Ballmer said. Then came the startling revelation that Microsoft may also adopt an open source browser engine. 'Open source is interesting,' he said. 'Apple has embraced Webkit and we may look at that, but we will continue to build extensions for IE 8.'"

Comments

3 E's

[Anonymous Coward]

Embrace
Extend
Enjoy

Re:Some possible problems, here?

[Laser_iCE]

I just got thinking. So let's say Microsoft doesn't include the new IE in it's next Operating System -- how do you get it?

"Sorry, you do not have Internet Explorer installed. To download, please visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/"

Sure, most of us probably have a FF install on a USB key somewhere, but what about the people who just bought their computer from the store? This'll drive them insane just like the "Keyboard error. Press any key to continue" error.

Tags

[Sasayaki]

itsatrapwhatcouldpossiblygowrongembraceextendextinguishrunrunforthehills

chair

[Scholasticus]

"Why is IE still relevant and why is it worth spending money on rendering engines when there are open source ones available that can respond to changes in Web standards faster?"

"That's cheeky, but a good question, but cheeky," Ballmer said.

What the story doesn't mention is that the developer who asked that question was found dead later that day with a folding chair wrapped around his neck.

Yeah, he's interested

[Anonymous Coward]

He's interested in Open Source in the same way ticks are interested in dogs.

Re:Some possible problems, here?

[ozmanjusri]

So let's say Microsoft doesn't include the new IE in it's next Operating System -- how do you get it?

They could just fix the "Add or Remove Software" applet so it points towards a collection of optional software hosted on a secure server. If you wanted to install IE, you could choose it there and have it installed automatically.

Maybe they could call it a "Repository".

Re:Microsoft will never

[denmarkw00t]

My fucking whites!

Someone else mod this guy +1 something - I can't find "Funderrated."

Re:Some possible problems, here?

[Kjella]

I just got thinking. So let's say Microsoft doesn't include the new IE in it's next Operating System -- how do you get it?

Gee, I wonder how I can install a browser on this Linux box without a browser already. That's unpossible!