EU Decision: What's your opinion?

[jfrost10]

I think the decision is just a cash grab by greedy Europeans prodded by the cry babies at Real Networks and other competitors of MS.

Gee, as a consumer I'm really glad that in Europe I'd be able to buy a copy of Windows that DOESN'T come with media player, so I can download Real Player and their spyware. What a useless waste of time and money. You'd think that these guys could put their resources to better use...at least this will drag on for a few years though, and hopefully get resolved in a better way for MS.

Still though...if they end up paying out that much money, where do you think they'll make it back up? By increasing the costs of MS developers and users outside of Europe. Thanks EU, we SO appreciate it.

But that's just how I see it. What's your take?

D'Arcy

 

[MDXer]

I'm not to worried about it and from what I have read before the decision MS isn't to worried about the finacial aspect either. MS has been building up their available cash to tens of billions of dollars, if I remember correctly it is in the neighborhood of $50 billion available cash.

As for the decision forcing the choice of the 2 versions of the same OS. I doubt it will happen that fast. Microsoft can and probably will challenge the decision in the courts. Again from what I have read the EU body that levied the fine has little in the ability of enforcement. MS can and will appeal to the courts of each nation involved and seek an injunction on the requirement they make 2 OS' available.

Personally I think all this is a huge load of BS. It isn't the consumers complaining it is the competitors. There is nothing that prevents people who prefer to have Real Networks software or QuickTime on their machines from downloading it and installing it.

When is all of this going to be to much.

Game Software companies going to start suing because MS ships with Solitaire and not their versions of Solitaire. How about a Lawsuit of the Find utility that ships with MS since they don't offer grep.


"Shoot Me! Shoot Me NOW!!!"
- Daffy Duck

 

[jfrost10]

Preach it brother!

D

 

[MDXer]

Being the jerk I am I would actually take the hit and suspend sales of all but Server OS' in Europe for a QTR.

"Shoot Me! Shoot Me NOW!!!"
- Daffy Duck

 

[skiflyer]

I think if the EU's concerns were actually as stated, they should have required MS to open up some interface specs (not release code, just open the API's)

But, I won't be so quick to say it was a cash grab instead, when it comes to legal systems and technology I'm always torn between the "what a corrupt system" and "get a panel of experts to help with testimony AND sentencing"... so who knows.

 

[nigelrivett]

Well countries in Europe don't bother paying the fines imposed by the EU so why should a foreign company.

Will all sales of Microsoft products be banned within the EU? Given it's track record of enforcing legislation I doubt it.

MS could probably get it waived by employing a few family members of EU ministers or is that being cynical?

======================================
Cursors are useful if you don't know sql.
DTS can be used in a similar way.
Beer is not cold and it isn't fizzy.

 

[pmonett]

Customers don't complain ? And when they do, does MS listen ?
I don't care for the fine, although I don't see it hurting MS either. However I have resented IE and WMP from the start.

Don't get me wrong, I understand that MS wants to integrate its OS more tightly with the Internet, and it is obvious that music and video are a part of every life. It is also good that MS supply a default application for each.

But to tell me that Windows cannot survive without IE is a gross distortion of the word "integrate". Why should I have to put up with IE if I want something else ? Why should I have to put up with Outlook if I can't stand it ? Why does MS give itself the right to decide what apps it will bolt into the OS without my consent ?

Because it can, obviously, and whatever I say or think will change nothing to the fact that I bought the software, therefor MS can justifiably say I need the bundle. After all, there was no questionnaire at the cashier's desk asking me if I wanted/needed all the additional stuff MS sells with its OS, so how can I justify the fact that I do not want/need Netmeeting or Outlook or IE ?

I can't.

And, of course, all the people who do not know that there are other products, or how to install them, are mighty glad MS did include the default apps. And they are right.

But where the monopoly trial went wrong (on both sides of the Atlantic) is when the prosecutors chose to ride the accusation on one particular app. I think it would have been much more beneficial to attack the integrated app angle, in other words, devise a definition of Operating System as opposed to Additional Software.

As long as this definition is not outlined in legal terms, there is no way anybody is get MS to remove anything from its programmed assimilation strategy. The DoJ failed miserably, and I think the EU commission will also.

Pascal.

 

[Marcs41]

I am from Europe, and resent the EU commisions ideas.

There is not one IT minded person behind those decisions, everything is based on large amounts of complaints from weaker competition.
My thoughs on that? If you want to compete, make your product better so it stands out and stop whining.
Who in his right mind would choose RealPlayer over MediaPlayer anyway?
There are 'nicer' player, loads of them, but Real has been whining for years now, while still having a crappy product.

No-one, including MS, has ever stopped anyone loading Mozilla or any other browser.
No-one is holding a gun against anyones head to use an MS product either. Oh, but it comes pre-loaded I hear you say.
Ok, so? Format and it is gone. THAT is not going to make a difference in price.

For 'Joe Average' I still believe, and actually see, it is far easier to get into computing using Windows then any breed of Linux.
In it own right, Linux is nice, but is just is not ready for home use by non-computer literate people.
Companies are different, price is always used as an argument, which is wrong. Companies can deduct those costs from taxes, so that should ot be an issue. However, I have tried several times to 'convert' a secretary to Linux ... disaster to say the least. They are lost, panic, call you every 5 minutes, so .. you give up and give them back their Windows.
If MS were to make some things easier to remove, I think a lot of the EU arguments would go away.

Marc