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Consumer Groups Blast Microsoft for Windows XP | |
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| Time: 16:46 EST/21:46 GMT | News Source: Reuters | Posted By: Byron Hinson | ||
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Four U.S. consumer groups criticized Microsoft Corp.'s Windows XP operating system on Tuesday, saying the software giant was again using the anti-competitive tactics that have tied it up in court for three years. In a joint statement, the Consumer Federation of America, Consumers Union, Media Access Project, and U.S. Public Interest Research Group, complained that the new operating system "advances the company's illegal anti-competitive practices and harms the nation's consumers." "Activities such as communications, commerce, streaming audio/visual applications, and on-line services are, at the present, vigorously competitive," the groups said in a statement. "These essential areas of the 21st Century economy will be threatened, and consumers harmed, if Windows XP and its tightly bundled version of Internet software hits shelves as planned." | ||
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| #1 By 94 (63.207.180.66) at 9/25/2001 5:49:04 PM |
| While I agree with you #3, MSN Messenger is one product everyone is complaining about. I was using it before XP because of my Game Voice software, so it actually helps me that its already in XP. The only thing I can understand is stuff like Real Audio vs Media Player. Because MP is built in to Windows, I prefer all formats to be for MP. If neither was there, atleast I would hesitate a second before downloading Media Player first. Its just a pain in the ass to always have to download a player to play an audio file. I'm sure Real would be happy if MS would include their product with their OS. Not that I think they should. MS isn't doing anything wrong by including their own products with their other products. Its not like they have a complete monopoly on the Desktop OS. There are other alternatives; those alternatives just aren't main stream. Look at OS X, its user friendly, its got a lot of features, the consumers chose not to buy a Mac for whatever reasons. They could if they wanted, there is a choice. You can have MS Office on a Mac. So I don’t see why they are complaining. They should all come together and support an alternative to Windows and compete in an open market. If you took all the lobbying money and bribes to DOJ officials and dumped it into development of a new consumer level OS that competes with Windows, we wouldn't be having this problem. |
| #2 By 20 (66.25.155.9) at 9/25/2001 7:03:51 PM |
|
The rest of the story:
In an unrelated event, AOL-TimeWarner recently made significant charity contributions to several large consumer groups. |
| #3 By 992 (195.92.67.68) at 9/25/2001 8:50:52 PM |
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So what, I don't care, I’ve read the arguments all before. If the products that Microsoft creates weren’t any good, then nobody would be bothering with it. They wouldn’t even bother with the effort into write comments into forums about Microsoft, but everyone has viewpoint. You can’t help being bios as you only have one viewpoint, your own! If Microsoft’s stuff suits your needs, use it. If Linux’s stuff suits you, use it. It all just a matter of choose.
The one think I have noticed, the more you use something, the more you get used to it, it like an addition. Microsoft and their third parties are well aware of this. When you go down to you local computer store, what product will you see selling and what computer operating system will it be for? It likely that the first thing, the second thing and third thing and so on that you are likely to pick up of the selves will only work on Microsoft’s Windows operating systems. Whys that? Well it all to do with supply and demand and because Microsoft has the best product around that supports all these stuff, it sell like hot cakes any ware (Notice the use of Ware), which as I have mentioned above, “Microsoft and their third parties are well aware of this.” If Linux was any good, if wouldn’t be just a gimmick for the computer techies. More software would be around for like games. Are you likely to find a game that will work on a Linux OS? Well the answer is maybe and that is if you are lucky (Games do exist for Linux). But Linux at the moment isn’t much good excepts as something to fiddle about with when I’m board. As I’ve said “So what, I don't care, I’ve read the arguments all before. If the products that Microsoft creates weren’t any good, then nobody would be bothering with it.” And I’ve said “You can’t help being bios as you only have one viewpoint, your own!” Also I’ve said “The one think I have noticed, the more you use something, the more you get used to it, it like an addition.” So remember whatever you got, whatever you have, the choose is yours and only yours. It if works use! But, if aren’t broke, don’t fix it! Also note, too much of a good thing can be bad, remember this with you next purchase!!!!! I have more to say on the subject, but I’ve head it all before and its late here for me. I’m going to bed, but there always TOMORROW! Night all |
| #4 By 992 (195.92.67.68) at 9/25/2001 9:06:45 PM |
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BTW way ppl, before I go I just like to mention, Microsoft is now having a go into the Linux Market and have made their own version of it.
Hope this doesn't affend the PPL at AW, but here the link if you wanna c it: http://www.mslinux.org |
| #5 By 992 (195.92.67.68) at 9/25/2001 9:38:31 PM |
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Referring to comment 17
You have just missed the point of what I was saying. It not how we are getting it, it why we are getting it. If I had an all in one media player (or a soon to be called media centre) it would be great. But again it depends on the best people making it. If Microsoft makes the best one in my opinion, then I would get it, but if Sony does, in my opinion, then I would get that. It the real world and not just in these forums, this scenario is soon to be played out. Will it be the XBOX, the PS2 or the Nintendo Game Cube. They all have media function to them!!! Quote __________________________________________________________________________ So remember whatever you got, whatever you have, the choose is yours and only yours. It if works use! But, if it aren’t broke, don’t fix it! Also note, too much of a good thing can be bad, remember this with you next purchase!!!!! __________________________________________________________________________ This post was edited by Oracle on Tuesday, September 25, 2001 at 21:41. |
| #6 By 135 (209.180.28.6) at 9/25/2001 9:44:25 PM |
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#18. I don't like Media Player either. Guess what? I don't use it. I believe it's installed on my machine, but again... I don't use it. I prefer Musicmatch.
It's not that we think you should shup up, it's just that your complaints are ridiculous. |
| #7 By 992 (195.92.67.68) at 9/25/2001 10:27:40 PM |
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Oh and great opinion 24, I agree, would of said earlier, but our comments, well got posted at differnet times. Hence the re-edit.
Before continuing with this debate, please re-read my comments, 15, 16 and 20. Plus you would have read about the channels and having a second CD, say a clean CD as mentioned in comment 22. So what are you all messing about with. If Microsoft just released the Operating System (XP Home and Pro for business users) with just the basics needed for games in the home edition and the basic for networking and security in the pro edition, then they can give all the rest with the PLUS XP on another CD for 30 bucks (Or whatever you use for cash). Below are just a select for what could be included: -----Windows Media Player 8, Windows CD Burner, Windows Painter, Windows Movie Maker, -----Window Visual (A Windows skin prog), Windows Firewall, Windows Anti Virus, Windows -----Programmer IDE and Windows Destroyer (The program to kill off the competition .......... -----LOL) Have I missed anything, for you ALL FOR, all you AGAINST and the COMPLAINER. -----OR JUMP OF A CLIFF COS SOMEONE TOLD YOU TO DO IT!!!! Common people it's your choose, MAKE UP YOU OWN MINDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This post was edited by Oracle on Tuesday, September 25, 2001 at 22:53. |
| #8 By 116 (66.68.134.68) at 9/25/2001 11:17:54 PM |
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Well to those that want to remove the extra features of xp:
1) Locate the sysoc.inf file in the Windows\INF folder. Make a backup copy of it. 2) Open it in Notepad and remove the word "hide" (not any of the commas) from all the line where it appears. 3)Now, save it and go to Add\Remove Programs, add/remove windows components, and IM, along with others will be listed that you can remove. You can remove messenger, media player etc. You CAN delete those programs. As far as a monopoly over the distribution channel is concerned that is not true either. Any company could have their software included with Windows XP. But you are going to have to come with an agreement with Microsoft i.e. you are going to have to pay. Are you saying that this should be free? Any software company should be able to have their software included just because they say so? How about this: Some of you seem to like the two CD idea so here goes.... As already mentioned the extra apps add a framework that developers can use in their applications. If they are not there then a developer can't assume they are there and can't make good use of them. I do believe MS has every right to have those installed by default. Why not make a second CD (or third or fourth) of extra software that people can install if they want it. Would that make everyone happy? As far as those so called consumer groups go they can kiss my butt. They do not share my opinion and I don't think they have my interests at heart. You guys bring up the argument that as soon as MS has a stranglehold on the market then everything is going to go down the hole. THey will jack up prices, release crappy software, rape and pillage your towns. If they did start doing something like that, that is when you would complain. Not before. Careful the sky doesn't fall on you when you walk outside. RA |
| #9 By 992 (195.92.67.68) at 9/25/2001 11:27:45 PM |
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Oh and great opinion 24, I agree, would of said earlier, but our comments, well got posted at different times. Hence the re-edit.
Before continuing with this debate, please re-read my comments, 15, 16 and 20. Plus you would have read about the channels and having a second CD, say a clean CD as mentioned in comment 22. So what are you all messing about with. If Microsoft just released the Operating System (XP Home and Pro for business users) with just the basics needed for games in the home edition and the basic for networking and security in the pro edition, then they can give all the rest with the PLUS XP on another CD for 30 bucks (Or whatever you use for cash). Below are just a select for what could be included: -----Windows Media Player 8, Windows CD Burner, Windows Painter, Windows Movie Maker, -----Window Visual (A Windows skin prog), Windows Firewall, Windows Anti Virus, Windows -----Programmer IDE and Windows Destroyer (The program to kill off the competition .......... -----LOL) Have I missed anything, for you ALL FOR, all you AGAINST and the COMPLAINER. -----OR JUMP OF A CLIFF COS SOMEONE TOLD YOU TO DO IT!!!! Common people it's your choose, MAKE UP YOU OWN MINDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ And same again in comment 28. Also good one 29 |
| #10 By 992 (195.92.67.68) at 9/25/2001 11:36:27 PM |
|
Hey people, does any one remember the Windows XP Plus CD Microsoft are making. Isn't that the second CD you people are all going about. Well obviously not, you people don't visit this site that often. Well they making one!!!!
Read comment 30 for some of the stuff they might include. |
| #11 By 992 (195.92.67.68) at 9/25/2001 11:42:00 PM |
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Comment 31, I hope you don't mean comment 30. Post about the same time.
BTW ActiveWin, the comment re-edit function has stopped functioning from comment overload. |
| #12 By 116 (66.68.134.68) at 9/26/2001 12:11:59 AM |
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Changing a text file in my opinion is not "hacking the system." If you can't figure it out then I have a book for you.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0789721295/qid=1001477167/sr=1-5/ref=sr_1_6_5/102-5258601-7981726 They don't have one for Windows XP yet but this should get you started. What you are talking about is bundling. MS has every right to bundle as many things as they want. Get over it. Are you trying to tell MS what they can and can't include? Who made you the king of computingdom? I certainly didn't vote for you. They are the ones writing the code. They are the ones taking business risks here. You cetainly aren't. To suggest that others should have free access to distributing their software with Windows is ridiculous. Did they write Windows? Are they taking any risks by releasing a new rev of their software? You yourself complain that they are putting too much into the OS. Now you want to put in more apps, (just not MS ones). You have a self contradictory argument. So which is it? RA |
| #13 By 116 (66.68.134.68) at 9/26/2001 12:35:09 AM |
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Price Gouging. Inferior product. Fraud. Lying to a consumer about what they should expect when they pay for something. Those would be abuse of monopoly powers. Not adding extra features to software. If anything that is increasing the value of said software, and makes it a better deal for the consumer.
And if you don't like it then thats great. No one needs Windows XP. Its not like Windows 2000, ME and 98 are going to break or stop working or something... PC makers can and do install 3rd party apps all the time. So buy a new PC when you pick up XP. RA |
| #14 By 135 (64.214.58.1) at 9/26/2001 1:38:34 AM |
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These comments are ridiculous. It's like claiming Honda shouldn't add a lights-on warning buzzer solely because there is a third party market for it.
Ever think that the only reason there is a third party market is because people think Honda's should have a lights-on warning buzzer? |
| #15 By 135 (209.180.28.6) at 9/26/2001 11:32:51 AM |
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#42. By the definition used in the court trial, Honda most certainly has a monopoly.
They are the only car company I am aware of that makes Honda Civics. |
| #16 By 135 (209.180.28.6) at 9/26/2001 5:21:20 PM |
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#50. But by that definition, Microsoft isn't a monopoly either, they are only part of a much larger market.
That's the problem, in order to define Microsoft as a monopoly, you have to not count all of their competitors. That seems odd, doesn't it? So similarly, Honda is a monopoly because they are the only company that produces the Civic automobile. |
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