It seems as though Microsoft is taking it’s commitment with Windows 7 in Europe pretty far, and has now after being pressured for months recently proposed to the European Union (EU) a ballot in which users could select their choice of browser. Microsoft describes it as “an opportunity to choose whether and which competing web browser(s) to install in addition to the one(s) they already have” in the proposal to the EU, as shown in the mockup:
Browser Ballot Mockup
This a drastic change from Microsoft’s former stand in which the software giant claimed that they would rather release Windows 7 with no browser whatsoever than with competing browsers. However, Microsoft is now going so far as to release Windows 7 on Vista and XP along with Windows 7 for European users.
The proposal also promises an inclusion into Windows Update for both Vista and XP within the proposal:
Microsoft will distribute a Ballot Screen software update to users within the EEA of Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows Client PC Operating Systems, by means of Windows Update as described hereafter: A software update enabling the Ballot Screen to be displayed will be made available to all current and future users of Windows XP and Windows Vista who receive updates from Windows Update. For Windows XP and Windows Vista users the Ballot Screen update will first be made available between 3 and 6 months after the adoption of the Commission’s decision.
Opera, however, is not ready to jump on the browser ballot wagon yet, stating that “We’re not sure about the use of logos. The blue ‘e’ has become so associated with the Internet in general, due to the bundling with Windows. We think using the blue “e” might not be such a good idea.” Opera’s team actually has a good point, as I’ve had to explain to several members of my family that to use Firefox, you have to click the Fox/Earth icon, not the E. Some users have associated the Internet Explorer icon with the Internet so often in their head that they have become one. Fortunately though, this shouldn’t be too much of a problem, just a refining of the idea to ensure equality in the browser choice.
On a side note, I just couldn’t resist pointing out the lame explanation that Microsoft gave of it’s largest rival’s browser, Google Chrome. “Google Chrome is a new web browser for Windows.” Of course, this is just a mockup, but it’s always amusing to see the battle between the software giant and the open advocate.
