Windows 7 E

Apparently MS is only going to offer Windows 7 without IE in the EU. OEMs will have the option of including it and/or other browsers.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10262630-56.html?tag=mncol;txt

I still think Windows EU (eww) would have been a better name.

"For computer makers that want it, Microsoft will offer a free "IE 8 pack" that allows them to add the browser back in. It's a little more complicated for consumers who buy a retail copy of Windows 7. Because the operating system lacks a browser, there's not a direct way to go to Microsoft's Web site to download one. Microsoft aims to make it as easy as possible for folks in Europe to get the browser, though, and plans to offer it via CD, FTP and retail channels, according to a person a familiar with the situation."

What a mess.

Microsoft may be trying to make a point by not offering a version with a browser.

Bah. Google Chrome is a fine browser. I'm using it right now. I'm sure many OEMs will still include IE anyways.

The people this will hit the most will be those buying the retail or upgrade versions. Supposedly MS will be offereing (free?) IE (and Live Essentials) disks at retail as well. It's like the 90s all over again.

DCMonkey said:

Bah. Google Chrome is a fine browser. I'm using it right now. I'm sure many OEMs will still include IE anyways.

The people this will hit the most will be those buying the retail or upgrade versions. Supposedly MS will be offereing (free?) IE (and Live Essentials) disks at retail as well. It's like the 90s all over again.

Will only be the E versions available in the EU or will the E versions be sold along with the normal versions? That's not clear.

The N version (without media player) is sold along with the normal version here in the EU (and no one buys the N version).

Actually I would love a version of Windows without pretty much anything except the ability to run common Win32 applications. Basically I'd love it if Microsoft would implement this: http://www.winehq.org/

Maybe the EU can "ask" for that, especially under a public domain/BSD-style license

Still requires a virtual machine. What I want is Win32 available on all platforms, free of charge. This would of course force Microsoft to compete on the quality of their operating system, and not what applications it can run.

blowdart said:

wastingtimewithforums said:

*snip*

They'll still offer the full version in the EU.

N stood for "No-one will buy this"

E stands for "Erect digit, middle"

They'll still offer the full version in the EU.

I have no direct info, but that didn't sound what the memo said.

"Windows 7 will be offered in Europe in all of the versions that will be available here in the United States, both 32- and 64-bit, with an “E” at the end of the product name (for instance, Windows 7 Home Premium E).  The E versions of Windows 7 will ship at the same time as Windows 7 ships in the rest of the world, and they will be available in 23 European languages." 

There's no mention of the "full" version being available in Europe...

Well, great. Now I'm being punished for some company's apparent misbehaviour. Thanks a fucking bundle, EU.

Also: what about stuff that uses IE components, like help?

Bas said:

Well, great. Now I'm being punished for some company's apparent misbehaviour. Thanks a fucking bundle, EU.

Also: what about stuff that uses IE components, like help?

I am sure MSHTML.dll is included, just not IEXPLORE.exe

brian.shapiro said:

"For computer makers that want it, Microsoft will offer a free "IE 8 pack" that allows them to add the browser back in. It's a little more complicated for consumers who buy a retail copy of Windows 7. Because the operating system lacks a browser, there's not a direct way to go to Microsoft's Web site to download one. Microsoft aims to make it as easy as possible for folks in Europe to get the browser, though, and plans to offer it via CD, FTP and retail channels, according to a person a familiar with the situation."

 

What a mess.

Microsoft may be trying to make a point by not offering a version with a browser.

I like it.

Another browser? Hm... no, but NO browser seems like a good idea... Now I want to see how people manage to download Opera on a netbook, without having it on an USB drive, of course...

Bas said:

Well, great. Now I'm being punished for some company's apparent misbehaviour. Thanks a fucking bundle, EU.

Also: what about stuff that uses IE components, like help?

Now I'm being punished for some company's apparent misbehaviour.

The company you are referring to is M$. And they are punished for their unlawful behaviour of using their monopoly position to prevent users from being able to make a choice if they want the M$ browser on their system or not - customization during installation.

Dodo said:

brian.shapiro said:

*snip*

I like it.

Another browser? Hm... no, but NO browser seems like a good idea... Now I want to see how people manage to download Opera on a netbook, without having it on an USB drive, of course...

NO browser seems like a good idea

Why can't the "developers, developers, developers" over at M$ implement Lynx that could be used to download the web browser you want to have.

In this case, I hope they sell Win7 Ewww version and Win7 Not Ewww version both in stores. Or maybe I should open an online store selling Not Ewwed version.

My ads will be like: "Get More For The Same Price. Get Windows 7 US unEwwed Version Now on www.win7uneu.com"

Ubuntu said:

Dodo said:

*snip*

NO browser seems like a good idea

Why can't the "developers, developers, developers" over at M$ implement Lynx that could be used to download the web browser you want to have.

They could. I don't think they believe users want to go through that. Why doesn't Apple implement Lynx if its such a brilliant idea.

blowdart said:

wastingtimewithforums said:

*snip*

They'll still offer the full version in the EU.

N stood for "No-one will buy this"

E stands for "Erect digit, middle"

N stood for "No-one will buy this"

And you see that the EU didn't let M$ fool it this time - you people have no respect for the law - you think that the law is about M$ pushing their products onto people who don't want them and you making money out of that by having a strategic advantage in the market place.