Office Pro Poll Is Microsoft's Windows 7 E a stro

Any person who thinks the Evil Empire has lost its dastardly edge need to get a challenging have a look at Microsoft;s ideas 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 may be sold within the European Union. There won;t be considered a version of Windows 7 with IE 8 included sold within the European Union (except if an OEM decides to add it on its Computer).With Windows 7 E, the way in which Microsoft is envisioning it,Windows 7 32bit, the “guts” of IE 8 will still be in there — things like the rendering engine, 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 probably be up to Pc makers to preload a browser with Windows seven,Office Pro, 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 may very well recall that Microsoft built a substantial case (complete with a controversial video) back within the late 1990s around its claim that World-wide-web Explorer was part of Windows. It was so inextricably integrated that to remove it would make the entire operating system inoperable,Office Professional 2007 Key, 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 7 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 version 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, Microsoft will likely be able to collect additional dollars by offering IE eight to Computer makers for license. Sure, Microsoft will have to compete with Mozilla, Google, 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,Windows 7 Home Basic, Microsoft creates anti-EC sentiments; makes itself look 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 seven E proposal, courtesy of David Heiner,Windows 7 Home Basic, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel. He attributes Microsoft;s decision to push Windows 7 E as wanting to insure it could launch Windows 7 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 seven 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 7 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, since they would possess a significant impact on laptop manufacturers and Web browser vendors, whose interests may differ. Given the complexity and competing interests, we don’t believe it would be best for us to adopt such an approach unilaterally.”