Ron Schenone

DOJ To Microsoft – Make Changes

Posted by on Jun 21, 2007 | 7 Comments

Funny, Microsoft has basically remained mum on when Service Pack #1 for Vista will hit the streets, but the DOJ has spelled out that SP1 for Vista will be in beta before the end of the year. Also it has spelled out how Microsoft must make available the ability for users to be able to use any desktop search software they wish, even the one from Google. This is kind of contradicting what Microsoft has been saying that Google doesn’t have a case about their software not working correctly with Vista.

In the DOJ document which can be found here, it states:

“Microsoft will deliver the required changes in Service Pack 1 of Windows Vista, which Microsoft currently anticipates will be available in beta form by the end of the year. ”

In reading further it also appears that Microsoft will have to make further changes to Windows XP as per the DOJ request, and that those changes will be incorporated in Service Pack 3 for Windows XP, but no time frame is included in the document.

I always thought that the settlement between the DOJ and Microsoft was basically finished. It is interesting that the DOJ continues to monitor Microsoft and their antics. One now can see why the European Union keeps a watchful eye as well.

Comments welcome.

[tags]microsoft, doj, vista, xp, windows, service packs, [/tags]

  • marc klink

    It is interesting to see that MS can’t be held to their word. This doesn’t speak well for any company.

    The changes I’ve been able to find all relate to the search engine, and are neither satisfying or complete. The search function will be made to relinquish control to another one that gets installed, but it will not be shut down, so it may cede control, and use less CPU time, but will consume memory.

    Since this function is not built in to XP, MS will only have to ‘include this out’ of any coming service packs.

    As for other things that should be ‘included out’, only time will tell. It seems that MS is like that bad boy at school, who, as long as he can intimidate the weaker kids, gets away with anything. When one of the ‘kids’ gets the nerve to complain, then the teacher [DOJ] finally steps in. The teacher has been too busy watching the soaps during lunchtime recess to monitor what is happening on the playground.

    In the EU, XP N is a version without the media player. I’d like to see XP without IE, WMP, OE, and Messenger. Then, when they were free from the OS, we could, if we wanted, add them, and remove them through the Add/Remove applet.

    Speaking of the add/remove function, when is anyone going to complain en masse about how badly this works? Why is it only a few programs comply with complete registry removal? This is one way MS could become more like Apple. If it was found that a program did not remove ALL TRACES of itself, it could not be recommended as a well-designed program. (Some do ask, so when uninstalling an older version, and installing a newer version, if the settings should be kept, so the user doesn’t have to adjust every little item – this is good behavior, all programs should have it.)

    I also wonder how well announced, and monitored, these ‘plugfests’, listed in the pdf, will be.

  • marc klink

    I forgot my original thought…..why should we WANT a BETA of a service pack? We should install a fix for something broken that we’re not sure works correctly? Who’s zoomin’ who?

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hi Marc,
    You may also recall that MS promised wonderful things to those who bought Vista Ultimate. I’m still waiting!

    I’ll sign you up to Beta test the first service pack! LOL

    Later, Ron

  • http://fractalbeanstalk.blogspot.com/ Tim Hodkinson

    It’s amazing how quickly this decision came about. Makes you wonder if after all these years the justice systems of the US and Europe have finally come to grips with computing and can now make a judgement in several weeks instead of several years.

    I hope that this is a sign that the computing industry has matured to the point that it will now be treated like any other industry. If that’s the case then it’s going to be a rough road ahead for Microsoft.

    Maybe I’m just another rabid linux fan, but it seems to me that Microsoft is slowly, but steadily losing most of their allies. This has certainly been an exciting year in the computing world. And GPL3 isn’t even out yet…

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hi Tim,
    It certainly looks like the reins may be pulled in. We will see.
    Thanks for the comments and your insight.
    Ron

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