Re:Slack Files EU Competition Complaint Against Microsoft
by Shoue on Wednesday July 22, 2020 @11:42AM
(#23918201)
I'm guessing you aren't European? Windows shipped (still does? I use Linux now) a piece of software that let you pick what browser you wanted. It was a very simple thing, just click and download the browser you prefer. I don't see how, after installing your operating system where you click through a bunch of dialogues already, clicking through one more isn't a 2020 experience, especially when the alternative is to open IE to download Firefox or Chrome.
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Re:Slack Files EU Competition Complaint Against Microsoft
by TulliusCicero on Wednesday July 22, 2020 @12:14PM
(#23918565)
I don't actually remember that many dialogues the last time I installed windows. It would be pretty obnoxious if there was a dialogue for every bundled program or feature that nominally competes with others: browser, media player, text editor, shell, drawing app, firewall, anti-malware, app store, etc. There's probably a least a couple dozen programs in that category.
It's not really clear to me why a few of these application types (like browser and media player) have been singled out in the past, but others are given a pass.
As long as third party programs can be treated the same as first party ones once installed (e.g. default program preferences) I don't really see bundling as inherently anti-competitive.
Re:Slack Files EU Competition Complaint Against Microsoft
by TazeTSchnitzel on Wednesday July 22, 2020 @11:44AM
(#23918216)
Sadly the browser choice thing went away at some point (maybe Windows 8?)
A shame really, it was probably a better installation experience for alternative browsers than having to use IE!