openAdmin
07-25-2009, 06:08 AM
It has turned out to be a pretty altruistic week for Microsoft, at least by its past standards. After shocking the world by releasing codes earlier this week to the open source community, Microsoft Corp. has taken its new founded generosity a step further and has decided to give computer users the freedom to choose their own web browsers. Right about time don’t you think, even though it is just to duck new European Union antitrust fines? Windows would still include Internet Explorer, but users would be able to disable it. Computer manufacturers could also choose to install other browsers set them as default and disable Internet Explorer.
Microsoft said its proposal, if accepted by the European Commission, would "fully address" antitrust worries over its browser and "would mark a big step forward in addressing a decade of legal issues."
The EU has charged the company with monopoly abuse for tying the Internet Explorer browser to the Windows operating system installed on most of the world's desktop computers. Mozilla, owner of Firefox that is rapidly digging a hole in IE ‘s dominating market share and Google its Chrome browser are of course solidly behind the cause against Microsoft.
The EU welcomed Microsoft's suggestions and said it will evaluate the proposal and seek input from other browser makers and computer companies before making a decision. If approved, the proposal could be legally binding for five years.
Microsoft said its proposal, if accepted by the European Commission, would "fully address" antitrust worries over its browser and "would mark a big step forward in addressing a decade of legal issues."
The EU has charged the company with monopoly abuse for tying the Internet Explorer browser to the Windows operating system installed on most of the world's desktop computers. Mozilla, owner of Firefox that is rapidly digging a hole in IE ‘s dominating market share and Google its Chrome browser are of course solidly behind the cause against Microsoft.
The EU welcomed Microsoft's suggestions and said it will evaluate the proposal and seek input from other browser makers and computer companies before making a decision. If approved, the proposal could be legally binding for five years.