Posted on August 3rd, 2009 by Jon Honeyball

The real reason Microsoft has given in over Internet Explorer

So why is Microsoft giving in over Internet Explorer? What’s the true motivation for the so-called browser ballot? It hasn’t been forced into the matter, although it could be argued that this was coming over the hill from the EU.

No, I think there is another reason, but this is pure speculation. I think Microsoft is actually walking away from Internet Explorer because it knows the battle is going to move elsewhere. It’s a kind of inversion, but the logic goes like this.

HTML has never worked, and attempts to make it better will just wrestle any remaining control away from Microsoft. Other browsers are taking up market share, so it’s time to redefine the question. Up till now Silverlight has been a plug-in to the browser, and the latest version allows you to run a Silverlight application as standalone desktop application. Adobe has a similar platform with Flash.

Now wouldn’t it be a neat move to make a plug-in for Silverlight which renders HTML to Silverlight? This way, Silverlight becomes the “browser” and the HTML renderer is separately pluggable and upgradable. Microsoft is in fear that Adobe will do just this with Flash – and suddenly the browser has become platform independent.

It is not in Microsoft’s nature to walk away from a battle unless it has an alternative solution lined up. Silverlight as HTML renderer might just be the weapon it has chosen.

Tags: Flash, Internet Explorer, Microsoft, silverlight

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12 Responses to “ The real reason Microsoft has given in over Internet Explorer ”

John Hind Says:
August 3rd, 2009 at 8:08 pm
So the “browser ballot” is being rendered in IE? Brilliant – you have to install a browser before you can select which browser you want to install! You really couldn’t make this stuff up could you – or maybe you did? Where exactly did you get that screenshot from?
Kid-spock Says:
August 3rd, 2009 at 8:19 pm
That screen is the one being sent to people who already have vista/xp, due to be rolled out via windows update I believe.
David Parkes Says:
August 4th, 2009 at 7:47 am
I’m sorry but i don’t have a problem with IE at all. If people want to download other browsers then Microsoft aren’t stopping them. I personally don’t see why the EU is getting its knickers in a twist in the first place. Ruddy Bigwigs
Clive Pugh Says:
August 4th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Why would people with Vista / XP require this browser ballot? They have IE installed already as part of windows.
Clive Pugh Says:
August 4th, 2009 at 10:12 am
I agree with David above. All the EU idiots have achieved is causing us to pay double the price.

Why would people with Vista / XP require this browser ballot? They have IE installed already as part of windows.
Clive Pugh Says:
August 4th, 2009 at 10:17 am
I agree with David above. All the EU idiots have achieved is causing us to pay double the price as quite rightly Microsoft make sure that Europe pays for all the extra costs it has incurred due to their rulings.

Why would people with Vista / XP require this browser ballot? They have IE installed already as part of windows.
GTRoberts Says:
August 5th, 2009 at 7:03 am
You’re missing the points folks

1. the EU legally *requires* Microsoft to offer the ballot

2. the EU legally *requires* Microsoft to offer this for ‘all’ versions of Windows available for purchase in the EU, hence this method will also be used for XP and Vista…. along with the forthcoming Windows 7.

3. because Microsoft “gave into the EU” they are no longer offering the “E” version that WAS going to come without IE

4. The “ballot” screen shot you see in this article is a MOCK UP – it is not real, its just someone’s IDEA as to what the ballot method will look like

and yes, for the record, Microsoft *NEVER* prevents anyone from installing Firefox, Chrome or Opera etc… and yes the EU government *ARE* idiots… whoever voted for them should be UTTERLY ASHAMED !!!!
Patrick Says:
August 5th, 2009 at 9:24 am
Nice recap GTRoberts.

I assume the product will include the browser selection during some part of the setup process. It of course won’t be like the mock up.

I wonder whether IE will be the default option… as we all know, most people just stuck with default… so the ballot approach would have some effect but not much..

I don’t see IE ever dropping to below 60% market share… too many people just don’t care about the browser as long as they check their facebook, twitter, email, news sites.
Tim Says:
August 5th, 2009 at 10:07 am
…all of which has little to do with Mister Honeyball’s article.
Colin Says:
August 5th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
I did not think the ballot was, as yet, a requirement from the EU. I thought it was Microsofts idea that thhey were pitching to the EU rather than an IE less version?

As the the EU rulling in general. My main problem with it is that its not consistent. As soon as they prevent Apple from including Safari, or Mobile phones from inlcuding Opera mini, or any Linux Distribution from including Firefox then it might be fair. But then that would be detrimental to all these toehr browsers which defeats the point altogether
Bass-playing Chemist Says:
August 7th, 2009 at 11:40 am
“Up till now Silverlight has been a plug-in to the browser, and the latest version allows you to run a Silverlight application as standalone desktop application.”

Really Mr. Honeyball, I’d expect an educated person like yourself to know that it is ’til not till. You’ll be forgiven if your prose fell victim of a spell checker though.
Tom Salinsky Says:
August 11th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
@Bass-playing Chemist “Till” is a perfectly good English word (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/till) and many style guides recommend it over the pedantic and fussy-looking “’til”.

Your use of “yourself” is also questionable, and shouldn’t it be “fell victim to” rather than “fell victim of”?

Cheers

Tom