Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

internetworkers - Re: [internetworkers] Can it get any more sub-standard?

internetworkers AT lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Internetworkers: http://www.ibiblio.org/internetworkers/

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: David R.Matusiak <dave AT matusiak.org>
  • To: internetworkers AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [internetworkers] Can it get any more sub-standard?
  • Date: Thu, 13 Nov 2003 13:02:52 -0500

On Thursday, November 13, 2003, at 12:47 PM, Alan MacHett wrote:

...seriously, though, I'm not sure I see the EU's point. Sure, it comes
packaged with the OS, but it's not *part* of the OS; no one is required to
use it -- install your own and set it as the default: problem solved.

The EU may be misdirected, but their monopoly claims are still valid. I believe their contention is that once WMP has the market dominance of Internet Explorer, they can simply stop making it for other platforms and effectively control media distribution software on the Internet. This could drive RealNetworks out of business (not many folks will weep over that one) and then there would only be WMP and Quicktime. Its all about monopoly. Its all about control and unfair competition. It is not as simple as "Just don't install it."

But then again, there's the whole issue (when did this happen before?) of
having to purchase/receive extra crap when all you really want is the OS.
And of course the other argument is the hardware company's choice of
software (how, again, did M$ bully its way into "only us"?). The masses
believe that computers come in only one flavor, Windows, while a few more
believe in two or three flavors, Windows or Mac or Linux, and it trickles
down to the very few rest of us who are aware of the vast choices and
nuances in OSs.

If only a few people know about this, then why is it an issue?

--Alan


David R.Matusiak said:
Microsoft is fighting a lawsuit in Europe that might cause them to
re-write the Windows OS and potentially de-couple Windows Media Player
from their OS.

http://www.forbes.com/home_europe/newswire/2003/11/13/rtr1146679.html

In response, "Microsoft Corp. said it would be forced to offer European
consumers a sub-standard version of Windows if the European Union makes
it re-write its operating system..."

This just makes one wonder - "Could it get any more sub-standard?"
/drm





Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page