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EuropeanUnion posts

Filed under: OS Updates, Microsoft, Beta, Browsers

Hey, EU! Internet Explorer now uninstallable in Windows 7

While it's not likely to placate those who are out for browser blood, Microsoft has taken steps toward pacifying the European Union in the latest RC builds of Windows 7.

As you can see in the updated Windows Features screen captured by AeroXperience, Internet Explorer 8 can now be removed just like Tablet PC support or Chess Titans. Unlike older versions of Windows where stripping IE with a tool like NLite usually caused some kind of headache down the road, Windows 7 appears to plug along just fine after removing the executable.
What the ultimate solution will look like remains to be seen. Some outlets still like to suggest that Microsoft would actually have to ship Windows with other browsers pre-installed, though a more likely solution would be to offer alternatives for download - for example, through links on the welcome screen.

It's also good news for Google, who have been sweet talking OEMs since late last year in attempts to bundle their browser on new laptop and desktop PCs.

Thanks, Bryant!

Filed under: News, Google

EU says Google may be violating privacy laws

Google anonymous dataThe European Union's data protection advisory group sent a letter to Google this month asking why the company keeps records of user searches for up to two years.

The underlying issue here is whether Google and other search engines are violating users' privacy rights by maintaining search records, even if those records are used to improve the user experience by offering personalized search options. European Union investigators are also looking at the way Yahoo! and Microsoft store data.

Google is well aware that there are privacy concerns associated with its retention of search data, and is taking steps to anonymize data that is kept for more than 18 to 24 months. In other words, for about two years, the company will be able to track a particular user's search results. After that, the data will still be available, but there will be no way to associate it with a specific user.

Filed under: Business, Developer, Text, News, Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Office, OpenOffice.org

OpenDocument format finally gets ISO certification

opendocument format gains ISO certificationIt's taken two years for this to happen, but ODF has finally been approved as a standard format by the International Organization for Standardization. The OpenDocument Format is now poised to be readily adopted throughout Europe, as the EU recognizes the formats recognized by the ISO. BetaNews has the story, plus a great quote from ODF Alliance executive Director Mario Marcich, "We believe access to public records and essential services should never be restricted to users of a particular brand of software or computer platform." Word to that.

Filed under: Developer, Windows, Microsoft, Open Source

Microsoft to go Open Source?

microsoft antitrustI know, the devil turned up the thermostat. In fact, this isn't as drastic as it sounds, nor is it "happening" in any real sense. The move is largely to shut up the griping European Union, who say Microsoft hasn't been complying with their antitrust settlement obligations. Funny, there are people in the DOJ here claiming the same thing... Come on, it's only taken 8 years, truckloads of money, and who knows how many hours (I'll figure it out in Excel when I get the chance) to get to this point, what's a little peek at the code between friends? Apparently this peek will still cost ya, a sum that no one is discussing, and add to the additional 12,000 pages of technical docs and 500 hours of tech support "licensees" can already get. One more thing: the source code promised may only include the communications protocols in Windows Workgroup Server and Windows Desktop, not every aspect of the inner workings of the OS. Besides that, the code will not be allowed to become public, which is really a more accurate definition of open source. But just think of what another decade, lots more money, and even more Excel spreadsheets could accomplish? That's right, ogg vorbis-native WMP, oh yeah! More happy brouhaha at Slashdot.

As per request, the image is from WIRED.

Featured Time Waster

The World's Hardest Game 2.0 - Time Waster

So, just how good at time waster games are you? Think you've got the stuff? Well, The World's Hardest Game 2.0 doesn't think you do. Yes, amazingly, it's possible to have a sequel to a game called "The World's Hardest Game". It doesn't seem logically possible, since if the first one was actually the world's hardest, how could another one come along and share the moniker? It made me doubt the name in the first place. That is, until I tried the game. The mechanics of the game are very simple. You are a small red square, ...

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