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This is just too funny not to post. Microsoft is being fined by the EU unless it reveals more information about Windows. I wonder how long it'll take until Microsoft complies with the demands?

I bet they'll just pay the fine. They have the money, and they're amazingly proprietary about their software.

EDIT: Oops, I didn't actually read the article. A daily fine? That's excellent news! I hope it kills the corporation! Bwahahahaha! :D

I think the EU are being very unreasonable about this. What's wrong with not giving enough access to rival firms? I mean that's like forcing a cook to hand over his secret recipe for everyone to copy.

Unless the EU are suspicous of the program, because although i am stuck with it, Windpws does have bugs, I wonder why they want Mircosoft to give Rivals access to thier software.

Yeah seems peculiar. Almost as if the government is working for the other firms.

Personally, I am siding with Microsoft on this one, the EU have no right to tell a company to disclose information of this detail about its products to its compeditors. For gods sakes, they can go buy it. Thats like my the Government telling me to tell my rivials how I make my special cakes

Its a bit different than that,
the point is to improve compatibility, something which is benifitial to the customers as then they are not forced to either only use Microsoft or only use products other than Microsoft.

A valid point, but still, like Daniel said that's like asking a baker to turn over his secret recipe for everyone else to manufacture.

I side completely with Rogue and the EU on this one. Microsoft is a monopoly and they need to make themselves more compatible with other operating systems or else it could destroy entire computing infrastructures.

They only thing i can see in the EU's favour is them wanting people to be able to understand how the damm thing works,, lets face it, Windows is not the best thing to understand, and it can get confusing for no reason, But really it is harsh on Microsoft as they have tried thier best to make ti work, I have a neutral opinion on this. because i can;' really pick sides for this matter.

Well, I am with Microsoft on this one

Me too. Granted, that Microsoft needs to become more compatible with other systems but forcing them to disclose their secrets is going too far.

Heartily disagreed. Microsoft's reign of terror has gone on far too long, and bless the EU because now thanks to them it is finally coming to an end!

Reign of terror? Danny they're not international terrorists... :P

No, they're software terrorists. :P

So that means Bush and Blair have been attacking the wrong thing, sod Bin Laden, kill Bill Gates :P

Damn right. Then maybe we'll get somewhere. :P

Well Danny, you know i would glady use Linux and firefox, but you also know how hard it is to persude my parents to let me get those things, and that once i get my own place i will get the two items, i just hope untill then you won;t hold ti against me that i have no choice but to use Mircosoft.

I willingly use Microsoft, as Linux doesnt allow you to play all the games on it, only certain ones.

It's not a question of allowing. Blame the game companies, not Linux! It's not their fault. They don't set out to say "Oh, now, our most important thing here is that we won't allow all Windows games to run on it." It's a different operating system, things work differently. Some games will work on it through an emulator like Cedega, others won't and you'll need to dual boot back into Windows to play them. It's a valid solution and it works for me and hundreds of thousands of others.

But then what's the point in dual booting when you can just use windows for everything...

Obviously, Ross, for you, there is none.

No comment on this.

"No comment on this" is a comment.

lol Sort of. But I mean I wasn't trying to be cheeky there I honestly dont think itd be wise until Linux has been adapted for all the things and games etc.

Linux has hundreds of thousands of games for it and that work on it. It's not that it isn't adapted for games, it's that software developers make their games work only on Windows. Why can't you understand that?

Surely there must be some way Linux could be adapted for the games to work though?

There are several, and I use many of them. Even though you're asking foreign code to run on a completely different system, many games do work through the uses of programs like Wine (Windows Emulator) and Cedega (a variant of Wine designed specifically to run games). It doesn't work with everything, but it works with a lot, and it's what I use. There is also VMware, which can run a complete Windows operating system inside a window on your Linux system, although this is more for applications than games as there is no 3D acceleration.

No but im talking about until it can be adapted so you just put the disc in, install and start playing instead of having to install other software.

Ross, technology evolves. Linux takes more work than Windows right now, and I'm willing to undertake that work. You're not, so just don't use it and leave well enough alone. (By the way, once the software is installed, it is just as easy as you mention -- put the disc in, install, and play.)

You just have to be patient, Windows seems to hate new software, especially new operating systems, it's a conflict of sorts.

Well obviously Windows isn't going to like its rivals. :P

That's just tough luck on Microsoft, its more than widespread enough to count as a monopoly so it should be split up and banned from trading or something so there'll be more operating systems.

Most people only use Windows because most stuff only runs on Windows, and most stuff only runs on Windows because most people only use Windows. Windows only became so widespread in the first place because Microsoft used to sell alot of a cheap operating system when everyone else sold a few of an expensive operating system (I think), but now there is cheaper (free!) and safer operating systems.

If Linux would be advertised or something then it'd probably eat quite a bit into the number of people using Windows as Linux is free and widely avalible, all you need to do is download it. In the interests of defeating Microsoft's monopoly governments should fund Linux advertising.

Rogue, you are the eighth coolest person on the planet. :P

Why the eighth? :P surely with his knowledge he could be THE coolest person around. Give us a reaosn Ross.

If Linux was advertised more then it is likely people would make software for it, a good advertising campaign might help, it is not very famous, just popular with users, i only heard of it from here, But if they could show how good it is, then compatiable software could be made

And Danny, no use pestering me to use it anymore, since i promised if i move to the US i would let you install Linux and anything else . :)

Well, it's just that he's competing against Delia Derbyshire and Peter Howell and stuff. I just made up eighth to cover my bases. :P

Yes, that's very true, which is why I'm hoping that some time down the road, Linux gets the marketing it deserves.

Yup, we're covered there! :)

Well, yes I suppose it would be good if more people used as then the game companies would need to make them more compatible with Linux and other operating systems.

Exactly right, that's the kind of backing Linux would need to move ahead with more speed and strength.

Exactly! We all seem to be in agreement of that, if they did that i am sure my parents would get it because they would have more evidence it is good. they should do the same with firefox, market it, ti is popula, just not so well known, so a good campaign could work wonders, maybe we could make an advert ourselves and try to screen it on prime time TV :P

Actually, that's not a bad idea. Firefox is running a video campaign right now, and we could all work together on a video to send in! Would anyone be interested in that?