Microsoft trying to do it all.Hint (Windows SP3)

I read it slightly differently...instead of Netscape being the default browser I read it as the user will be asked which browser he/she wants to set as default, Internet Explorer 6.0 or Netscape 8. I see this as a step up from the current situation, where the user is forced to use IE by default and few even know alternatives truly exist.

Microsoft has taken many hits before (US Department of Justice vs Internet Explorer, European Union vs Windows Media Player, etc) because they bundled and integrated their products into Windows and made it difficult for the end user to switch to a third-party product, such as Firefox or MusicMatch. From what I've read, HP is taking the exact oposite approach by giving the end users the choice Microsoft has refused to offer. HP already gives the user choices of ISP (they 'suggest' MSN, AOL, and Earthlink, among others), and I believe MusicMatch still comes pre-installed as an alternative music player. I just see this as taking the ability to choose one step further.

Just my 2 cents,
John

From the article:

As part of the HP deal, consumers will be able to choose Netscape as their default browser during computer setup, a Netscape representative said Monday. Icons for the browser, which will be customized with links to HP and Compaq Web sites, will appear in the Windows Start menu.

'during computer setup' and since most systems built by HP are ALREADY set up prior to shipment, the only time most consumers will be given that option will be when they use the Restore/Recovery disk to 'start all over'. HP systems are not like ordering from Dell or Gateway where they are built specifically by individual order with choices being made during the ordering process. HP systems are PRE-built and shipped to distributors for 'on their shelves' such as Wal-Mart.

And it will be interesting to see if the choice is actually there during a Restore/Recovery installation using PRE-designed disks such as they make now with all the propaganda installed by default.

TONI

For the average user, installing the operating system and such isn't given much, if any, consideration. Computers just come ready-to-use...it's that simple. Thus, a lot of people refer to the post-setup process as setup, which is what I'm assuming they're doing here. After unboxing and connecting your PC (another form of ''setup''), an HP running Windows will prompt you to accept two licensing agreements and select your time zone, keyboard configuration, etc. After your done with that Windows will officially load to the default account, from which you can create new accounts and setup your preferences for each. (Windows XP dropped the annoying tour guide/setup assistant ''Victor'' from Windows ME.) The choice of a default browser must be going to appear either during post-setup or when you create a new account. I just don't see it being included in the System Recovery feature as an issue, because during the procedure you're not prompted to input any data/preferences. After telling it to ''start fresh'' you simply stand by and wait until after it's done and reboots. From that point on it's the same as when you first purchased it. While they cetainly could have provided more information/detail/clarity as to how they are going to do this, I think their intentions are clear.

John

the assumption that their 'intentions are clear' is bogus as many computer purchasers never realized that quite a few new systems have the 'intention' built right into them and the recovery/restore disk is actually proprietary to having the same hardware still being installed inside the case or the new restore doesn't happen. This has forced the owner to replace broken or dysfunctional hardware with identical hardware directly from the manufacturer/vendor of the system rather than being able to purchase off the shelf somewhere else for bigger/better than original.

I don't trust HP's 'intentions' any further than some people trust MS but I don't expect to hear any outcries from that end of the table about this since it will be giving an 'option' to have Netscape instead for a change. I'll wait and see what happens after some people buy the HP systems and come in here to get help once they realize it's not the bed of roses HP is 'intending'.

TONI

Why would HP be anymore trustworthy than MS. Sounds like a bunch of PR mumbo jumbo to give people a warm fuzzy feeling, that hey look how much better this is than a MS deal.
EZ

And you also read it correctly.

What is the big deal with Microsoft, having its own browser as standard, when you buy a car, it comes standard with features, like for instance tires. and if you don't like them you can change them. the same with Windows! they could very well make an operating system, and make is so you pay extra for differrent things. charge a base for the operating system, then say charge extra for a browser of yoru choice, extra for a media player of your choice... but they make an operations system is complete with many added features, and yo can always change some of the features, yes it takes some work, but so does changing tires on a new car to. at least with windows you can install it and go and pretty much do whatever yu need to. get on the internet. write a letter, listen to music or watch movies. so why do people complane so much about them having there own browers as default? Just wondering why all the hype over such little things.

Microsoft was taken to court because Explorer.exe was the Windows Explorer, was Internet Explorer and was also the heart of the Windows Operating System, said that, it was impossible to uninstall Internet Explorer, not really because it can be done modifing certain keys at the registry & installing a standalone version of IE, but most users can't do that, also it was imposible to install Windows without installing Internet Explorer (that one really imposible), as you can see, that was illegal because there was no choice to have it or not for most users.

in DOJ court for the reasons you just stated, then how are they still able to have IE integrated into their current and future versions of Windows and not being dragged back into court for it? There was far more to that lawsuit brought about by Netscape than you care to believe.......

And consider this, please......no matter whether people install Netscape or not as their 'default' browser, Windows and Internet Explorer will NOT update itself at the Windows Update Center unless you get their using IE. Every single current Windows Operating System user knows already that they have to turn on IE even if they use Netscape, Firefox, or Opera to mainly browse with, in order to use the Windows Update Center. lol

TONI

Vista, Internet explorer7, SP2, SP3, and other stuff and trying to deal with google

If they don't upgrade what they already have (operating system, Web browser, OS updates) and competing with other companies such as Google in the field of search -- Bill Gates wouldn't have the ****load of money he would now.

Microsoft hasn't competed in years. They became the default OS due to ,IMHO, shady business practices of buying, running, intimidating others out of Business. Example,Netscape used to to be the defacto standard in Internet browsers, when Microsoft decided to run them out of business, all they had to do was intergrate the browser in the OS. Although die hard Mozilla fans never switched, the average user found it a bother to install other browser technologies instead going with IE. Netscape is still around, but nothing of it's former self. Yes, MS lost the court case, but they won the early battles and are now entrenched. Firefox is a great product, however as only the avid users know about it, it will never again be the default browser of the masses.

>>>>Netscape is still around, but nothing of it's former self.>>>>

The technology for advancement has been around for years and yet Netscape chose NOT to go forward in order to compete with IE when BOTH were downloadable and separate browsers. IE kept going forward and blew Netscape out of the water when it was being given away while Netscape was still charging $50 for theirs. The integration of IE into Windows was the loophole Netscape was looking for all along while it struggled in order to STILL not improve or build on their browser and used that integration as the leverage needed for their lawsuit instead.

What a load of corporate mishandling..and they got the DOJ to agree with them that they didn't even HAVE to improve their product in order to 'win' their case.

I have NO sympathy for leeches and that's what Netscape became......

TONI

Please read my other posts, I completly agree with you.

please see my reply to you above........

TONI