For starters, instead of using integers all over the place, I would use a cleaned up version of the browser name (i.e. _description_1 becomes internet_explorer_description, _installLink_1 becomes internet_explorer_download, etc.).
If they're using the IDs to do the randomization, that could be moved to class names that could easily be picked up by the javascript (instead of looking for _item_id_1 through _item_id_5, just pick up any div with a class of "first-tier" and randomize those).
Perhaps I'm being pedantic, but it seems like it would be easier to maintain (which for a single page site, might not really be an issue).
Millions of people are going to find out about fringe browsers through this selection dialog. If I were in charge of such a project, I would have put some serious effort into improving the icon and copy text the minute this opportunity was made public.
Right now most of the non-top-5 browsers look like crap or spyware. Avant is definitely shortlisted for the "ugliest 145*50 banner image of 2010" award.
I don't think it's going to make a difference for the fringe browsers. My reasoning is that I had to scroll to the right to see the remaining options, and there is no indication that there are more options other than the scrollbar. I'm pretty sure not too many people are going scroll and see the remaining options.
This selection dialog is going to be around for a while. Even if only 1 in 20 users does scroll to the right, that should mean millions of viewers over the coming years... Whatever the exact numbers may be, it eclipses the exposure that these browsers could get through any other means.
It's a bit like having your iPhone app in the lower part of the Top 20 on the App Store. It won't be visible on the iTunes front page, but it's still much more powerful than any other kind of free marketing you could hope to get.
I totally give Microsoft high-fives for placing their browser above all others even if, technologically speaking it isn't. I don't see the EU saying anything to Apple about Safari. I don't see them really addressing the problems with the whole OS + bundled stuff picture. I, unfortunately, don't have a worthwhile solution for it either. I guess it's a start, though.
I don't see the EU saying anything to Apple about Safari.
The difference, of course, is that it has been established in court that Microsoft have a monopoly in the desktop OS market, and that they have abused said monopoly by bundling their browser, media player, etc. with the OS, giving them an unfair competitive advantage in those markets.
> I don't see the EU saying anything to Apple about Safari.
This comes up every time. The problem isn't having a monopoly (the EU isn't preventing the distribution of Windows), it's using an existing monopoly to corner a new adjacent market (in this case, web browsers).
Legally, I don't know how I feel about the EU ruling. Something feels off to me about forcing a company to offer alternatives to something it is offering its users for free.
In terms make the internet a better place, the EU ruling is full of win. The more people that use browsers that actually rely on web standards, the more people will be forced to build web sites to web standards. If enough sites are built based on actual standards, Microsoft might actually have to make its own browser standards compliant. Not to mention the simple fact that more people will be exposed to Explorer's competitors will force Explorer to actually, you know, compete.
Quite sad, it looks like something from the nineties...
Are we sure that this site has been built microsoft (no reference found)? there is also a browserchoice.org that is a bit nicer.
browserchoice.eu - Doesn't resolve :/ why not
www.browserchoice.eu - OK, force me to put www you idiots
> HTTP/1.1 302 Redirect
> Location: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=178663
OK, lets go visit microsoft.com :/
> HTTP/1.1 302 Found
> Location: http://www.browserchoice.eu/BrowserChoice/browserchoice_en.htm
Oh so now you want me to go back again. Fine.
I'm guessing they wanted to use their existing link tracking stuff on microsoft.com
It's called "billpg is an attention whore browser". It's just a rebranded firefox with the home page set to billpg.com that can't be changed. All my easily bribed friends love it!
No. Because Solitaire is not a platform. What Microsoft is being punished for is abusing its desktop OS monopoly (which was, BTW, acquired through all sort of shady backroom deals) to hijack and prevent technological advancements that could render its clients independent of its desktop software, thus inflating its profits by artificially reducing competition.
Sorry for the humorless reply, but this is an important subject and it has been shown, over and over, any misconception about it is abused to portrait Microsoft in a more favorable light.
Can someone clarify how this actually shows up to the end-user? When a user gets a new computer and first turns it on, does this show up in a standalone program, within IE, or some other way?
ok, I see that Microsoft uses this to track the links people are clicking. But, still why is this hosted by Microsoft. I would expect it to be a EU site.
As a side note, it's quite interesting how the first 5 browsers tag themselves-each tag line really reflects the market strategy of the respective organization:
IE: Internet Explorer is the world’s most widely used browser, designed by Microsoft with you in mind.
You're familiar with us-you see us all over the place. You know Microsoft. You've been using us for a while-why change?
Safari: Safari for Windows from Apple, the world’s most innovative browser.
We're Apple. We make shiny, cool stuff. Safari's also shiny and cool.
Chrome: Google Chrome. A fast new browser. Made for everyone.
Simple message just like our home page and everything else we do. It's fast just like our home page. Made for everyone = easy to use (just like our home page)
FF: Your online security is Firefox's top priority. Firefox is free, and made to help you get the most out of the web.
IE has problems (security holes/spyware/viruses/identity theft-all the things everyone tells you to be scared of). Download us instead and have less problems.
Opera: The powerful and easy-to-use Web browser. Try the only browser with Opera Turbo technology, and speed up your Internet connection.
We have feature x. Feature x is cool! Come try feature x!
This is nothing but thuggery by the EU. Microsoft never put a gun to anyone's head to sell their OS or browser. And if they did they should be taken to court for that--not antitrust. Sure they made aggressive deals with OEMs, but OEMs could have walked away anytime and face the consequences with their customers. At the end of the day, consumers have a choice what they buy. That choice does not include imaginary products suppliers don't want to deliver whether rationally or not (e.g. an OS without a browser, an iPhone with Flash, etc.).
Antitrust is insulting to peoples' intelligence. It puts politicians (and the private parties that lobby and manipulate them) in charge of the marketplace.
Vote me down, flame and pillory me all you want. But get ready when your private property is the next to be deemed too socially important for you to fully own anymore. You'll deserve it when it happens.
43 comments
[ 4.0 ms ] story [ 93.5 ms ] threadCode like this gives me horrible flashbacks to the frontpage days:
Not to mention a meta tag outside of the html block and class and ID names that make Hungarian notation look pleasant.If they're using the IDs to do the randomization, that could be moved to class names that could easily be picked up by the javascript (instead of looking for _item_id_1 through _item_id_5, just pick up any div with a class of "first-tier" and randomize those).
Perhaps I'm being pedantic, but it seems like it would be easier to maintain (which for a single page site, might not really be an issue).
The fewer people who get to this page, the better for Microsoft.
Or maybe just another way to confuse the hell out of web users.
Right now most of the non-top-5 browsers look like crap or spyware. Avant is definitely shortlisted for the "ugliest 145*50 banner image of 2010" award.
And most are just wrappers for IE's engine anyway, which doesn't really help.
It's a bit like having your iPhone app in the lower part of the Top 20 on the App Store. It won't be visible on the iTunes front page, but it's still much more powerful than any other kind of free marketing you could hope to get.
Internet Explorer is the world’s most widely used browser, designed by Microsoft with you in mind.
The difference, of course, is that it has been established in court that Microsoft have a monopoly in the desktop OS market, and that they have abused said monopoly by bundling their browser, media player, etc. with the OS, giving them an unfair competitive advantage in those markets.
This comes up every time. The problem isn't having a monopoly (the EU isn't preventing the distribution of Windows), it's using an existing monopoly to corner a new adjacent market (in this case, web browsers).
In terms make the internet a better place, the EU ruling is full of win. The more people that use browsers that actually rely on web standards, the more people will be forced to build web sites to web standards. If enough sites are built based on actual standards, Microsoft might actually have to make its own browser standards compliant. Not to mention the simple fact that more people will be exposed to Explorer's competitors will force Explorer to actually, you know, compete.
It's called "billpg is an attention whore browser". It's just a rebranded firefox with the home page set to billpg.com that can't be changed. All my easily bribed friends love it!
Sorry for the humorless reply, but this is an important subject and it has been shown, over and over, any misconception about it is abused to portrait Microsoft in a more favorable light.
IE: Internet Explorer is the world’s most widely used browser, designed by Microsoft with you in mind.
You're familiar with us-you see us all over the place. You know Microsoft. You've been using us for a while-why change?
Safari: Safari for Windows from Apple, the world’s most innovative browser.
We're Apple. We make shiny, cool stuff. Safari's also shiny and cool.
Chrome: Google Chrome. A fast new browser. Made for everyone.
Simple message just like our home page and everything else we do. It's fast just like our home page. Made for everyone = easy to use (just like our home page)
FF: Your online security is Firefox's top priority. Firefox is free, and made to help you get the most out of the web.
IE has problems (security holes/spyware/viruses/identity theft-all the things everyone tells you to be scared of). Download us instead and have less problems.
Opera: The powerful and easy-to-use Web browser. Try the only browser with Opera Turbo technology, and speed up your Internet connection.
We have feature x. Feature x is cool! Come try feature x!
Antitrust is insulting to peoples' intelligence. It puts politicians (and the private parties that lobby and manipulate them) in charge of the marketplace.
Vote me down, flame and pillory me all you want. But get ready when your private property is the next to be deemed too socially important for you to fully own anymore. You'll deserve it when it happens.