[Mono-list] Miguel de Icaza on Longhorn

[ben@benjaminwootton.co.uk]

Quoting Dan <dan@astusa.com>:

> >I disagree with that statement, most notably about the art of
> anti-competitive strategy by bundling Messenger and Media Player. 
> 
> Robert,
> 	Like you, I don't mind that IE, Messenger and Media Player can be on
> windows pc's as "choices", what bothers me is when microsoft can dictate to
> OEM's to not uninstall them.  That's just wrong.  Any OEM should be able to
> uninstall these things and replace them with products period.  Microsoft
> dictating to OEM's that they have to be left on when competetive products
> are installed is just wrong.

I've heard this argument before, and I'm not convinced.  Even disregarding how
deeply integrated media player and messenger are from a technical point of
view, they're an increasingly integral part of the Windows experience, and two
of the main areas where Microsoft can continue to innovate.  Instead, I'd take
the opposite view that competitors should be allowed to bundle their software
with Windows via OEMs, as opposed to choking Microsofts' right to innovate. 
This would then present a level playing field.

Ben