Microsoft randomises browser ballot

Seems a lot of fuss over something that most people will only see once, if at all.

And why should anyone coming into the browser market now (ie "AAA Browser Maker") deserve a space - Microsoft isn't detracting from them. It's arguable whether any browser launched after IE became part of Windows should expect to appear at all.

By halsteadk on 7 Dec 2009

ah well if you exclude browsers that came out after IE was put in Windows you would lose Google, Safari, Firefox and Opera and only IE would be on the list

By TimoGunt on 7 Dec 2009

Microsoft shouldn't bother. Firefox have managed to do perfectly well without all this nonsense. Opera (which I think is a decent browser) are just bitter that they haven't done as well.

By Grunthos on 7 Dec 2009

I can't believe how much fuss is made over the browser wars. 5 years ago it was more of an issue - today it seems a non-issue. Has the EU nothing better to do with its time?

By cyberindie on 7 Dec 2009

Looks like Google shot themselves in the foot then (listed under Google or Chrome)!

And is it pure coincidence that randomisation just happened to put IE first in the example screenshot?

In any case, surely asking you which browser you want when you are already inside IE is taking the mick? It is a little like having the polling station located inside the Conservative Party HQ!

I really do have to admire MS's tactics though - asking the EU for permission was a great way of delaying this beyond the Windows 7 launch!

By JohnAHind on 7 Dec 2009

What a load on nonsense.

Why aren't the other operating systems forced to do the same thing?

Ordinary joe bloggs doesn't care what browser they are using, as long as it plays youtube, open google and lets them view their web mail they don't care.

This broswer war is nothing more than something for IT Pro's to talk and moan about.

By a_byrne22 on 7 Dec 2009

This should be extended

I wish they would extend these laws to security vendors that peddle their 60 day trials of a/v software on new computers. Subjecting innocent punters with dire McAfee and Norton applications should be a criminal offense in itself :-)

By mng70 on 7 Dec 2009

This should be extended

I wish they would extend these laws to security vendors that peddle their 60 day trials of a/v software on new computers. Subjecting innocent punters with dire McAfee and Norton applications should be a criminal offense in itself :-)

By mng70 on 7 Dec 2009

I can see Opera asking for an investigation into the randomisation algorithm by the EU next.

By TimoGunt on 7 Dec 2009

Opera's motto appears to be if you can't beat them - sue them!

By cyberindie on 8 Dec 2009

@Timogunt re your first comment. My point exactly! All IE's competitors have chosen to compete after IE was established (with the possible exception of Opera?). This was only really an issue when IE came along and took Netscape's place (which at the time was by far the better browser).

By halsteadk on 8 Dec 2009

The daft thing is that you have to already know what the different browsers do to make an informed choice. As others have mentioned, all OSes should have the ballot.

By yandar on 8 Dec 2009

instead of installing one browser why don't they install them all with realtime automaitc transfering of favourites and cookies that way we would quickly find out which browser was best rather than which browser was most hyped??

By blagger123 on 11 Dec 2009