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Microsoft demonstrates IE browser ballot with mock up page

by Parm Mann on 31 July 2009, 15:14

Tags: Internet Explorer, Windows 7, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT)

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Following recent legal wranglings, Microsoft put forward a proposal to the European Commission earlier this week that suggested Windows 7 - and indeed other Windows operating systems - could ship with Internet Explorer installed as the default browser, with a ballot screen then allowing users to choose their browser of choice.

We reckons it sounds a logical solution, and we've mentioned previously that we'd liked to have seen this proposal before the arrival of the awkward Windows 7 E editions. Nonetheless, the proposal's now here, and Microsoft has served up the following mock-up of how the ballot screen could be displayed.

Microsoft is said to be suggesting that 10 or fewer of the most widely-used web browsers are listed as options, and that each should have a usage share of 0.5 per cent or more. The five browsers with the largest market share would be displayed more prominently, as above.

Judging by the mock-up, it seems that the choice of browsers would be listed in order of market share - with Internet Explorer at the front, followed by Firefox and Safari.

The ballot screen, which would display presumably on the first load of Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser, is said to have been "welcomed" by EU regulators, but a decision on the proposal is yet to be made.



HEXUS Forums :: 21 Comments

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I really like Browser 6; 160 x 80px Image Link. I mean the features the mentioned like “20 word description” are really interesting.
As long as I still get my 50 quid no IE version im not fussed :D
And the funny thing is, those that use IE anyway will still pick IE8 as the icon looks familiar and we will see Opera throw the toys out of the pram again. Personally I don't think Microsoft should be made to advertise other companies applications, boy am I waiting for the moment someone installs a different browser and they call MS support and Microsoft tell them to get knotted and go speak to the likes of Mozilla or Opera. Can you imagine the general user going off and reading read me files for firefox or opera.

Should be fun to watch for the next few months at least.
Grey M@a;1745212
And the funny thing is, those that use IE anyway will still pick IE8 as the icon looks familiar and we will see Opera throw the toys out of the pram again.
They already have. Read an article a few days ago, were someone idiot high up in Opera was complaining about the IE icon being more recognised for internet access.

Anyway, what browser will this browser ballot screen open in?
Such a logical solution, why wasn't this put forward & agreed upon on day 1? Fair enough it might use IE to suggest the options to start off with, but then all they have to do is create an option to uninstall IE if they choose to install another browser.


Its so frustrating seeing the amount of hoops & red tape that seems to go along with such trivial problems!