EU vs. Microsoft

[Sk8er Boi]

The European Union ordered Microsoft to offer a version of Windows without Windows Media Player. What do you think of this decision?



note: i stole the text from download.com

[The Hunter]

Ahh the choices, use the imbedded media player which is very simple for noobs, or go looking and install real player that thinks its the imbedded player. Personally i think the option to use the windows media player should be there, as a noob has no idea of what other player to use, and the way it stands it is a complete operating system media player and all. Note i said option, as it should only be an included option for the rest of us that would prefir to install another player, and not have the presently included one installed.

[rebirth]

dunno if that's a good idea...cuz some noobs don't have internet access to get another player with...but I'm still glad someone said something...but again...we all start with something

[downloadalot]

I don't see the point, but as long as it can piss Bill off just a little, i'm all for it.

[The Hunter]

True, and then as we learn we just install what we like, or are comefortable with. Also playing Devils advocate, if it didnt come with a media player, could it be advertised as a complete operating system?

[kiwibank]

a "lite" version of xp would be good with currently embedded apps such as media player, internet explorer, outlook express, moviemaker etc offered as separate updates or "clipons". you can take some stuff out with xplite, but that just blocks the code, and isn`t the same as actually being able to install/uninstall the particular app that you want to use or get rid of. hunter is correct in that there will always be a need for noobs or non technical type users to have all the basics (such as a media player) built-in to their operating system of choice and at their fingertips. i think that windows media player 8 is very cool, once you knock out the "phone home" shit, update to wmp 9 codecs and throw in the mp3 encoder package and a few other necessary plugins. i have problems with wmp 9 crashing occasionally...

and no, it`s not good that the european union can order microsoft to do its bidding any more than it`s not good that american multinationals can pursue supposed copyright infringements or intellectual patent issues on a global basis. it`s called globalisation and it means that international organisations and courts and non governmental agencies can instruct sovereign nations and independent commercial entities on how to run their affairs based on multilateral treaties and their own rules based policies. it`s wrong. an american court should have made the order against microsoft, not an international one...


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on zeropaid, it pays to be "flame resistant". it`s a matter of survival.

[shawners]

while your at it.. have it not bundled with AOL, compuserv.. COUPONS.. Adaware software in it. As well as internet explorer.. I like to make a WINDOWS LITE =)

[Carrie]

shawners I agree with you on that!

I like the idea of it being an option my self. I don't use it, but I can agree that its a nice feature for noobs and even children that want to listen music.

[cpugeniusmv]

i read an article in PC Magazine today on this topic (May 4th issue, page 5).

i think that windows media player being removed from windows, or made optional would be fine...but consider that every new feature in windows usually comes from an idea someone else has already done separately. if we continue to force microsoft to leave out features that have been done, there would be little or no innovation in future versions of windows. do you really want that?

that short summary didn't really do the article justice...i really suggest you find someone with a PC Magazine and read it yourself. :S

[shawners]

Innovation is one thing, global marketing is another.. If i buy a car, it comes with Options.. I have the option to have BETTER SUPREME speakers, TV if its available.. and many more.. I think the just of it is to have windows operating system, and when you boot it up for the first time.. IT Gives you a choice if you like it to be loaded and install it.. BUt who wants compuserv or AOL shortcuts on a new PC?? I have compaq(HP) which now after they came out about the new machines to have DRM to stop piracy, which i would boycott from now on. Innovation is to improve something, microsoft is saying "YOu need a great player.. we will make one.. but it wont play .ogg files.. or do alot of things winamp will do" If they can let things be on their pc from other developers and programers.. Why not?? they can do a security check to make sure no one can access their pc with the codes..

[Mels_Smileys45]

Windows doesnt come with AOL!!?? If you buy a dell or name brand computer they stuff that crap in there. Go buy a real copy of windows!