Ballot screen in Windows?

July 27, 2009 · by Aleksander Aas

Microsoft's proposal regardning browser antitrust issue.

Users will be presented with a ballot screen in their upcoming OS, Windows 7, Brad Smith, Microsoft General Counsel and Senior Vice President writes.

Windows will be shipped with IE, but the first screen will give you the option to choose between ten browser vendors in Europe. There will also be a short text describing each browser.

The good thing is that Microsoft will push this ballot screen through Windows Update to XP and Vista users; giving them the same choice as Windows 7 users.

For more information take a look at the Commitment from Microsoft.

The European Commission welcomes the proposal in their press release.

Readers' comments 28

Left under the original article, as archived.

AnyThing :PMonday, July 27, 2009 11:51:11 AM
Sounds like cool to me!
TamilMonday, July 27, 2009 11:52:32 AM
Dan AlexandruMonday, July 27, 2009 12:38:18 PM

(17) For Windows Vista and successors, Microsoft shall ensure that access and the full functioning of the Windows Update online service (currently available at www.update.microsoft.com) is not dependent on the use of the Internet Explorer user interface.
Finally!
walterMonday, July 27, 2009 1:07:11 PM
Daniel HendrycksMonday, July 27, 2009 1:23:28 PM
Let's get this for America too.
Rafael LuikMonday, July 27, 2009 1:38:25 PM
Beautiful!
Opera description is the best!
Mağruf ÇolakoğluMonday, July 27, 2009 2:32:27 PM
Vey nice..
Tandder LimaMonday, July 27, 2009 4:09:04 PM
Perfect!
dude09Monday, July 27, 2009 4:43:17 PM
Wait a sec... How are they going to present the "Ballot screen"? With what app? Are IE still the default & preinstall into every Windows?

The screenshot seems to suggest that IE will be the app used to display the "Ballot screen"... & we still can't uninstall IE, we can only hide/disabled some of the Windows' component...
d4rkn1ghtMonday, July 27, 2009 5:29:53 PM
DanielMonday, July 27, 2009 5:50:02 PM
i would install Opera, of course
DanielMonday, July 27, 2009 7:15:19 PM
Just what I've always wanted!
IKokeMonday, July 27, 2009 11:51:56 PM
Yes, it's perfect .. days ago I put this in my blog
Ezequiel AristanTuesday, July 28, 2009 2:36:26 AM
Really i don't like this. It's more than unfair that Microsoft can't put the Browser they want in their OS. I'm Opera user and lover, but.. as i said, it's unfair.
And.. that wallet it's wrong. Opera it's on the third place of the browser market.. Opera should be the third on that list =P.
Ezequiel AristanTuesday, July 28, 2009 2:37:59 AM
Originally posted by dude09:

Wait a sec... How are they going to present the "Ballot screen"? With what app? Are IE still the default & preinstall into every Windows?

The screenshot seems to suggest that IE will be the app used to display the "Ballot screen"... & we still can't uninstall IE, we can only hide/disabled some of the Windows' component...

Obviusly, will be on IE.. But they could easily use a tool like that one that Mozilla has for run webapps, i can't remember the name.
Daniel HendrycksTuesday, July 28, 2009 3:01:03 AM
Originally posted by EzeAris:

i can't remember the name.

Mozilla Prism
DanielTuesday, July 28, 2009 1:01:03 PM
apple mac osx should use this ballot screen, too.
It´s just fair.
techlawsamWednesday, July 29, 2009 1:07:35 AM
Originally posted by DanielHendrycks:

Let's get this for America too.

true dat!

Originally posted by WayOfTheBastard:

Originally posted by DD64:

apple mac osx should use this ballot screen, too. It´s just fair.
No it would NOT be fair since Apple is NOT A CONVICTED MONOPOLIST, unlike Microsoft.

+1

Originally posted by WayOfTheBastard:

Originally posted by Fringemiki:

I use and like Opera, but I dont think that this is fair. Microsoft has its own operating system and they put in it whatever they want.
Actually they CAN NOT put in whatever they want. They BROKE THE LAW, remember? It's FAIR that companies that break the law ARE PUNISHED.
If they take out IE, than they should take out Windows Media Player, Notepad and whatever is under their license.
No they shouldn't, if they didn't break the law. And besides, NO ONE ASKED THEM TO REMOVE IE. At least READ THE ARTICLE before commenting.

*nice*
Ezequiel AristanWednesday, July 29, 2009 2:18:32 AM
Originally posted by DanielHendrycks:

Mozilla Prism

Thanks

Originally posted by WayOfTheBastard:

Actually they CAN NOT put in whatever they want. They BROKE THE LAW, remember? It's FAIR that companies that break the law ARE PUNISHED.

Ok, but a law can be a stupid law. Or if it's a low it must be for everyone.. in Mac OS X they (Apple) have a monopoly of iTunes, Safari has a predominant position on the browsers market, and i don't see anyone saying something to they. By the way, Windows Media Player hadn't the media players monopoly.. but it was quited anyway.

I don't like what they're doing, because i think that everyone can put HIS software on HIS Operative System, if you don't want to use Internet Explorer.. Don't use it. But if they are going to "kill Internet Explorer monopoly" kill the Apple's Monopoly,
or simply made a "Prevention" on GNU/Linux and Mac OS X as they have done with Windows XP "N".

Besides, PC-BSD was the unique one Operative System that asked me what browser I wanted to use.
mkoWednesday, July 29, 2009 1:26:36 PM
How so? All oem installs are wrong.
GroovyWednesday, July 29, 2009 4:14:47 PM
Nice move Microsoft.

But let's face it, you couldn't do it without Opera.
Barraco Mármol JerónimoWednesday, July 29, 2009 4:33:16 PM
seems nice enough for me,
i know this doesnt quite solve the antitrust blah blah,
MS has put ie inside a lot of soft not only theyrs, a lot of soft uses the ie dll (for example every MMO game).
so don't use ie at all is not and wont be a choice.
anyway i know a lot of ppl that uses ie just because they don't know another browser. this seems good.
Charles SchlossWednesday, July 29, 2009 5:43:43 PM
It is a good start, now to get web site to write code using web standards
Barraco Mármol JerónimoWednesday, July 29, 2009 11:07:01 PM
Originally posted by Chas4:

write code using web standards

you are asking too much there xD
does they even know the meaning of standard?
Charles SchlossThursday, July 30, 2009 1:06:27 AM
I know getting sites to use web standards will not start right away it will take some time, some will if they are giving the right resources
Ezequiel AristanThursday, July 30, 2009 1:25:23 AM
Originally posted by WayOfTheBastard:

It IS for everyone. ALL monopolists have the same restrictions. Please EDUCATE YOURSELF before spouting nonsense.

Apple it's a monopoly, they have the iTunes/Quicktime monopoly and anyone says anything to them. And about the educate yourself.. i didn't say something offensive to you, so i'm expecting the same.

Originally posted by WayOfTheBastard:

Safari is NOT a dominant browser. iTunes is completely irrelevant here. Actually, monopolies aren't illegal. Only abusing one's monopoly is.

iTunes has a monopoly, in their OS, if you buy a Mac you must use OS X, it's a monopoly.. I think that they're abusing. And if IE it's sooo monopolist.. WHY FIREFOX IT'S NEAR TO THEIR 1.000.000.000 DOWNLOAD? Why IE has the 60% of the market?.

Originally posted by WayOfTheBastard:

How about EDUCATING YOURSELF before spouting nonsense? WINDOWS has a monopoly, and Microsoft ABUSED its monopoly to undermine competition in that market.

Well again with the "Educating Yourself" heh, Learn to read!! I didn't say Windows, I said Windows Media Player, with that concept Microsoft can't include anything in the OS!

Originally posted by WayOfTheBastard:

NOT IF YOU BREAK THE DAMN LAW. Stop spouting nonsense, and start paying attention.

When you break the law, THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES.

Just like you are free to walk the streets, but if you break the law YOU LOSE THE RIGHT to walk the streets and will be thrown in jail.

Oh god.. I'M PAYING ATTENTION! And Apple HAS A MONOPOLY: http://www.error500.net/demanda-monopolio-apple-itunes-ipod [It's in spanish but i as you are soooo inteligent you're going to be able to understand ]

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I use Opera since i was 8 years old, but now they want to quit the IE Logo? This it's starting to be stupid..
d4rkn1ghtFriday, July 31, 2009 10:58:18 PM
<sarcasm>I use IE because it came with Windows, so I decided to try it. It works great! Don't you think so?!<sarcasm/>
Ice ArdorMonday, August 3, 2009 3:08:25 AM
How will they fit 10 browsers on one page without scrolling? Doesn't that present an unfair advantage? Why is IE first?