Comments

1. vitaly

   
   Posted on: June 12, 2009 at 3:43PM  

   Another solution is not to sell Retail versions of Windows 7 in EU. Retail versions is just a small fraction with respect to OEM. Users who want Windows 7 can easily buy it from the Microsoft site as an international download product.

   Millions were able to download and install Windows 7 Beta and RC, so millions will buy it the same way.

   No taxes to EU, no problems to Microsoft.
2. zed260

   
   Posted on: June 12, 2009 at 3:45PM  

   i hope ill be able to import this e version of windows 7 otherwise i may just take a short vaction to europe to buy it
3. Superpotato

   
   Posted on: June 12, 2009 at 6:00PM  

   The European stand is just unreasonable. Do they expect Apple to advertise for the competition in their Macs? Why don't they get them to remove iTunes and Safari? How about smacking about Ubuntu for pushing Firefox? You can't even remove it without breaking Ubuntu...
4. AmaDeus

   
   Posted on: June 13, 2009 at 12:34AM  

   I do not use IE personally... Still, I do not understand why it should be removed from the installation CD. I mean, if a person knows how to install another browser, of course they would be able to uninstall IE.

   I enjoyed working with IE under Win 7 RC, but it's just that I am used to the browser I've been using for years :)

   Anyway, how are people supposed to even download another browser if they don't have IE?

   And I totally agree with Superpotato.
5. Dohray

   
   Posted on: June 14, 2009 at 6:52AM  

   Hi there,

   I have to say that I am in agreement with the previous comment by 'Superpotato'.

   I am not a Microsoft apologist and I currently make use of both Ubuntu and Firefox.  However,it does appear to be a little unfair.
6. jnamead

   
   Posted on: June 14, 2009 at 10:39AM  

   Will Microsoft address the problems of synchronization of mobile devices before it RTM's another piece of software that will need more than one SP within six months of release?  The latest WMDC version 6.1 does not seem to even recognize my device as anything other than another network connection, will there be a fix before the release date? Or will your tech people be subjected to repeated emails and complaints?

   It is truly time for Microsoft to wake up and smell the "coffee" and try to fix things before RUSHING it out the door!  

   If GM or Chrysler or Ford or any other auto maker tried to sell a car that was only partially built, do you think they would have much business afterwords?  It would be ludicrous to get into a car and put it in gear only to have a pop up tell you "ERROR DRIVER DID NOT INSTALL CORRECTLY"  So why should we accept a piece of software that is only partially tested and even though it seems to be better than Vista it is still halfbaked!

   Many would forget or want to forget Windows and Windows 3.2 and Millenium and Vista and the grief they engendered.  Will Microsoft try and fix the bugs before it releases Windows "7" or is it really 8!
7. newscientist2000

   
   Posted on: June 14, 2009 at 10:47AM  

   I guess that means that Windows Update now works without a browswer, huh?

   Well so long as Microsoft offers free or low cost CDs with IE8 on to stores so customers can get IE8 easily I dont see a problem with this solution.  If Mozilla wants to shove FireFox CDs in stores they can do that, ditto Google with Chrome.

   I guess the gray area---depends on what the "easy-to-install basis" means, if it means through some offering built into the OS, then their may still be bias there to download and install IE8 over another browser. if IE is a more prominent choice then you go back into legal troubles again.

   All in all... kind of a hassle for the consumer in Europe...in the Windows 95 days maybe it wouldnt be an inconvenience...but these days people expect a browser to be available as standard in their OS.  I guess this will hit retail sales of boxed versions of Windows 7 in Europe unless free CDs are available at retail.

   The question then is if you do a upgrade of Vista with IE7 to Windows 7 with IE8, will this have to be a clean install...will IE7 be removed when upgrading?

   If not arent you perpetuating a browser monopoly?

   Real headache Im sure, hey at least the lawyers get paid well right!

   If you go the free CD method, maybe other windows Live software could be put on the CD or Office Accounting 2009 in order to encourage distribution.

   On the plus side, this requirement has no doubt encouraged Microsoft to develop and improve IE8, which is why it has improved from IE7...which is a good thing.

   Personnally I think the EU should just fine you more and give the money to some charities and leave off these silly punishment requirements that are so 90's at least for the retail versions of Windows 7.
8. FFVImaster

   
   Posted on: June 14, 2009 at 12:14PM  

   This is completely ridiculous.  IE is a Windows feature and it should remain included in Windows.  Browsers are FREE - no one is losing any capital by having to compete with IE.  Anyone who wants to use a different browser will do so regardless of whether or not IE is bundled.  This will simply confuse people who are not as computer-literate as others.

   Why doesn't Apple get in trouble for including their own software packages in their operating systems?

   Another major issue here is that if people choose another browser when they buy a computer from a manufacturer, what will they do when they encounter a site that doesn't work correctly in anything but IE?  They'll have to download it anyway.  This doesn't happen as much as it used to but it still does.  I am forced to use IE for one reason or another on probably a weekly basis.

   I'm kind of surprised that people even really think about IE anymore.
9. alt-92

   
   Posted on: June 15, 2009 at 8:47AM  

   FFVImaster:

   Apple does not have a 80% market share on desktop pc's sold.

   Simply put: they're not big enough. Rest assured though, Apple has the attention of mrs. Kroes regarding their more aggressive vendor lockin.
10. ITpendium

    
    Posted on: June 17, 2009 at 3:44PM  

    When you say Europe do you actually mean European Union or the whole Europe?