[citation][nom]mr_tuel[/nom]If I was Microsoft, I wouldn't include ANY browser in an EU OS. Let them download their choice from another PC or mail-order it. That strategy is certainly not anti-competitive....[/citation]Actually they tried to implement this change some years ago. MS was all prepped internally to deliver a browser-free Windows and offer IE for free on CD and via FTP download (doesn't require a browser). The European Commission decided that this didn't go far enough to rectify the situation and pushed them into the Browser Ballot instead.
[citation][nom]it_pays2think[/nom]Regulation is a good thing, if you don't like having a government setting a minimum standard for quality and ethics in business(especially from companies like MS with a long history of illegal and unethical behaviour), then I suggest you move to somewhere like Somalia. Then again, you may be a de-regulation Repub, who thinks that bringing back child-labour is somehow going to reduce the unemployment rate. No, you'll just be competing for the same number of jobs with cheap labour from your own kids, as well as China, India and Mexico.[/citation]SOME regulation is good. Some is downright awful. If you think regulation is always good, you're a complete fool. In this particular case, it isn't even about what is "right" or "wrong". It's about money, and to some extent control. Plus MS is an easy target. Microsoft can't afford to lose the entirety of the EU market, so they pay the EU Browser Tax yet again and move on.
Also, you think _Government_ should be the ultimate arbiter of ethics? Give me a break, sheep. Governments are run by filthy, lying, corrupt politicians and officials. They're looking out for number one, and the ultimate ethical rule is don't get caught.