The Windows browser ballot: the winners and the losers

jmke · 1st March 2011, 09:53

On 1 March 2010, the EU Browser Choice ballot came into being. Rather than Microsoft being allowed to bundled Internet Explorer with Windows, it would offer all European users a choice of the "12 most widely used web browsers that run on Windows 7," either during the initial setup of a PC or later via Windows Update.

A bold plan, yet seven of the 12 argued that it didn't go far enough. It hid them out of sight, they said, while the big five rotated positions on the main table. The design of the ballot, with the leftovers a slider bar away from the home screen, didn't make it clear enough that there even were 12 browsers to choose from.

Microsoft replied that the screen was in compliance with the European Commission's decision and, one year on, the design remains unchanged. Is it a fair system? And has it made any difference?

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/features/3654...#ixzz1FL9S24Dl

blackened · 1st March 2011, 15:26

MS shouldnt have to have the ballot box to begin with.. I dont see how forcing one software company to offer the software from several competing companies could ever be called "fair"?

1st March 2011, 15:55

Yeah, I guess "de facto monopoly" doesn't ring a bell either, huh? That's too much of a concept for some of those wild capitalism advocates.

Anyway, once the ballot is decided, it's definitely unfair to show only a few at first sight. I just learned -by readind this very article- there are 12 to choose from and probably that happens to many people too.

jmke · 1st March 2011, 18:12

the selection of those you do see does change upon launch, so it's a bit random

1st March 2011, 09:53	#1
jmke Madshrimp Join Date: May 2002 Location: 7090/Belgium Posts: 79,021	The Windows browser ballot: the winners and the losers On 1 March 2010, the EU Browser Choice ballot came into being. Rather than Microsoft being allowed to bundled Internet Explorer with Windows, it would offer all European users a choice of the "12 most widely used web browsers that run on Windows 7," either during the initial setup of a PC or later via Windows Update. A bold plan, yet seven of the 12 argued that it didn't go far enough. It hid them out of sight, they said, while the big five rotated positions on the main table. The design of the ballot, with the leftovers a slider bar away from the home screen, didn't make it clear enough that there even were 12 browsers to choose from. Microsoft replied that the screen was in compliance with the European Commission's decision and, one year on, the design remains unchanged. Is it a fair system? And has it made any difference? http://www.pcpro.co.uk/features/3654...#ixzz1FL9S24Dl __________________

1st March 2011, 15:26	#2
blackened Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 79	I dont think its fair.. MS shouldnt have to have the ballot box to begin with.. I dont see how forcing one software company to offer the software from several competing companies could ever be called "fair"?

1st March 2011, 18:12	#4
jmke Madshrimp Join Date: May 2002 Location: 7090/Belgium Posts: 79,021	the selection of those you do see does change upon launch, so it's a bit random __________________

1st March 2011, 15:55	#3
Aleve Sicofante Posts: n/a	Yeah, I guess "de facto monopoly" doesn't ring a bell either, huh? That's too much of a concept for some of those wild capitalism advocates. Anyway, once the ballot is decided, it's definitely unfair to show only a few at first sight. I just learned -by readind this very article- there are 12 to choose from and probably that happens to many people too.