A Microsoft enthusiast group is calling for the boycott of Opera Software's products due to the browser maker's part in the antitrust campaign against Microsoft in Europe.
'They started it,' says JCXP user group
"Today we are proposing a complete boycott of all Opera software," David Taraso, the editor of the JCXP group, wrote in a blog post. The group hosts user forums about Microsoft software.
According to another post by Taraso, which clarifies the initial post after users reacted to it, the group targeted Opera exclusively because it was the Oslo-based company that filed the antitrust suit against Microsoft in Europe, although Mozilla and Google joined the suit later as interested parties. "To put it simply ... they started it," he wrote.
Reached via email on Monday, Opera declined to comment on the boycott. The company creates browser software for use on PCs and mobile devices.
The antitrust suit in Europe over Microsoft's inclusion of the Internet Explorer (IE) browser in its Windows OS has been extremely controversial, particularly since the European Commission was mulling a 'ballot screen' remedy that would require OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) to include other browser options in Windows besides Microsoft's IE.
This idea sparked a heated debate between parties on both sides of the issue. OEMs in particular objected because it would mean more work for them, and trade groups claimed it would harm the development of Windows to take IE code out of the OS.
As a result of the fuss, Microsoft last week said it will not include IE 8 in the version of Windows 7 that is sold in Europe. Some said this move would allow competitors like Opera and Google to strike exclusive deals with OEMs to include their browsers in the OS instead.
According to the JCXP, the ballot screen option is a "ridiculous idea" that would require Microsoft to promote competing products within Windows. "That's like Pepsi putting a label on their drinks saying 'Have you tried Coke lately?'" Taraso wrote.
He said that he doesn't necessarily have ill will toward Opera, and thinks it "has introduced many fantastic innovations to the browser market." However, "I don't agree with what they are trying to do here," Taraso wrote. "I definitely agree that Opera should have a larger market share, but not by forcing Microsoft to advertise their product in Windows."
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Comments
J-on said: So I guess that means that Apple needs to include the same browser selection box in their OS too rightCmonI am a fan of MS products but I dont use IE8 I easily went online downloaded both FireFox and Chrome determined which one I liked better and started using one of those insteadWhat more choice do I need The fact the IE is included in Windows allowed me to do thatIf Opera was so good as to be able to take market share away from other browsers then it would have already Word of mouth is a powerful weaponI agree with the poster ESB I am glad Microsoft is giving them the finger too
vvtunes said: No THEY started it years ago Remember Netscape You reap what you saw I dont see anyone complaining about Safari Well except for that one time when it was included as a default add-on installation in iTunes and Quicktime - you get the idea
Skidz said: I am not the biggest MS fan but even i can sympathise with them over this totally idiotic plan its absurd No other company would put up with it and with good reason
gilesie17 said: PS FirepoxUperaChroom are all crp anyway that is why they are crying
gilesie17 said: Saying MS should not include IE What is next Ford can make cars but cant include gearbox because somebody might not like it and file a law suit
esb said: The EU looks really bad here Its obvious what theyre up to and its unseemly Im glad Microsoft is giving them the finger
Cyteck said: It is abit like the pot calling the kettle black isnt it that Microsoft then objects to Opera wanting to have a more level playing field when it comes to the battle over web browsers After all Microsoft has dominated the software arena for more years than I can remember So now Microsoft supporters get upset by a competing product which is actually a better quality browser than IE8 Microsoft shoudlnt always get its own way all the time its about time other products got a fair lookin