Microsoft bundling software with operating systems?

Question

Proponents contended that the browser is an integral part of the operating system. Not a separate application, and is a natural progression in the evolution of the operating system.

Is Microsoft being unfair?

Answer 1

This is an old issue that many still have with Microsoft. To answer your specific point, including a browser with the operating system makes sense but only if it is an "optional" component and not tightly coupled like Internet Explorer. Other operating systems often include a default browser but users can easily uninstall that (or choose not to install) and replace it with a browser of the users choice.

As for other applications, these are generally included as supplemental applications (on separate media if you acquired it on disk). Microsoft took a very different approach and tightly integrated most of the applications which has its pros and cons. Theoretically with the coupling, everything should work better together. While this certainly does help the consumer in some ways, it does remove "choice" from the user. On the negative side, competition suffers due to vendor lockout. Opponents of Microsoft have long argued that they can't compete against Microsoft because Microsoft works at a development layer below what they expose to external vendors and that Microsoft also dictates to computer vendors what can/can't be installed on systems for sale.

As for proponents contending that the browser is an integral part of the operating system, I completely disagree with this. The operating system should simply focus on providing an environment for applications to run in. Integrating the browser into the OS has repeatedly shown that security suffers.

(to gas_indycar) - You can't remove Internet Explorer from MS windows 2000/XP. You can change the default web browser but Internet Explorer will still be on the system. You may also be surprised to know that even though you run FireFox, underlying components of the operating system and many software vendors utilize Internet Explorer components via COM. This is one of the reasons that security experts recommend patching Internet Explorer, even if you use an alternate browser.

Answer 2

Wow, your question is so 1990s. They lost that battle in court. It is clear that the browser is NOT an integral part of the operating system. It is one application. Applications are not integral parts of the OS.

Microsoft is also trying to do similar bundling with Windows Vista, putting in a personal firewall, Windows Defender, etc, effectively eating the lunch of companies like Symantec that sell these products.

Is it fair? Sure, why not. If they provide something cheaper, or better, then people will use their version. However, what wouldn't be fair is if they cripple their app or OS such that it would not allow people a choice, and might prevent them from using the competitor's products. That's what the legal battle in the 90s was over.

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Answer 3

you can delete IE and run and get on the net with another browser. only catch is you have to use microsoft browser(IE) to get their updates. this isn't unfair at all. i don't use their crappy brower i use firefox. but i do have to use it for updates only. this basically covers error problems with downloading updates with microsofts own software instead of having people wine about having trouble downloading and they find out it is the person downloads problem not microsofts problem.

Answer 4

bundled is right, pc makers install from there master disk. yer up a creek. dont know why you want 64 bit anyway, more trouble then its worth.