Office 2007 Standard Poll Is Microsoft's Windows

Anybody who thinks the Evil Empire has misplaced its dastardly edge ought to get a hard have a look at Microsoft;s plans for Windows seven E.If Microsoft has its way, the Internet-Explorer-less Windows seven E version will probably be the 1 and only version of Windows seven that can be sold inside the European Union. There won;t be considered a edition of Windows seven with IE 8 integrated sold inside the European Union (unless an OEM decides to add it on its Pc).With Windows 7 E, the way in which Microsoft is envisioning it, the “guts” of IE eight will still be in there — things like the rendering engine,Windows 7 Code, the HTTP stack and so on. But there might be no user browser functionality in it at all. No IE eight. No Firefox, no Chrome, no Opera. It will likely be up to Pc makers to preload a browser with Windows 7, if they decide to do so, or up to users to go through some convoluted process to download a browser from a Pc with no apparent way to connect to the Web.Microsoft history buffs might recall that Microsoft built a substantial case (complete with a controversial video) back within the late 1990s around its claim that Net Explorer was part of Windows. It was so inextricably integrated that to remove it would make the entire operating system inoperable, the Redmondians railed. What a difference a decade makes. In 2009, the idea for Windows 7 E, via which Microsoft magically decouples IE from Windows, is hatched.Historical inconsistencies aside, Windows seven E is a total win for Microsoft — and a total loss for customers.Think about it. Many EU consumers are likely to be very unhappy, and probably vocally so, about getting a crippled edition of Windows 7. Some will likely complain to their local politicians about the European Commission (EC). Microsoft officials will continue to insist they are simply trying to be EU-law-abiding monopolists, and that their hands are tied. At the same time,Windows 7 Code, Microsoft will likely be able to collect additional dollars by offering IE eight to Pc makers for license. Sure, Microsoft will have to compete with Mozilla, Google,Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007, Apple and Opera for browser-preload contracts, but it will undoubtedly win some of them. Ca-ching!Thinking it through, I;d say Microsoft;s plan for Windows seven E is a stroke of genius for the company. In 1 fell swoop, Microsoft creates anti-EC sentiments; makes itself search like the law-abiding underdog; thwarts the “ballot screen” plan the EC seemed to get favoring, which would put IE on a level playing field with its competitors; browsers; and possibly earns a few extra bucks via OEM browser-licensing deals.
[poll ID = 33]Other write-in opinions welcome.Update: Here is Microsoft;s official statement on its Windows 7 E proposal,Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007, courtesy of David Heiner, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel. He attributes Microsoft;s decision to push Windows 7 E as wanting to insure it could launch Windows seven on time, in all geographies. He also made it plain Microsoft sure doesn;t like the “ballot screen” remedy:“Our decision to only offer IE separately from Windows 7 in Europe cannot, of course, preclude the possibility of alternative approaches emerging through Commission processes. Other alternatives have been raised within the Commission proceedings, including possible inclusion in Windows seven of alternative browsers or a ‘ballot screen; that would prompt users to choose from a specific set of Web browsers. Important details of these approaches would should be worked out in coordination with the Commission,Office 2007 Standard, since they would possess a significant impact on desktop computer manufacturers and Web browser vendors, whose interests might possibly differ. Given the complexity and competing interests, we don’t believe it would be best for us to adopt such an approach unilaterally.”