"She pointed to the fact that the company's server products still continue to work far more smoothly with Microsoft products than those of competitors."

Good god EU. Your member countries on a whole have built pretty good virus scanner software and we've all flocked to your products. Now SHUT UP and build a better OS and we'll all come running to that too. WTF

Those Euro grifters can switch to Linux, mac or a an Amiga 500 for all I care, they're so wealthy now thanks to their "New World Order".

I think you 100% misinterpret the case:

"The European Commission seems to still feel Microsoft is acting in an anticompetitive manner as its competition chief Neelie Kroes told the EU parliament that the company was still gaining market share through what she called "abusive behavior." She pointed to the fact that the company's server products still continue to work far more smoothly with Microsoft products than those of competitors."

The Commission does not "feel", it sentenced Microsoft to comply with its orders after a lengthy formal process. To the surprise of the Commission Microsoft did not comply and postnegotiates like a bazar berber.

Microsoft was given any opportunity and the Commission starts to lose faith. Microsoft's idiotic behaviour endangers its future position in the Union. It can be perceived as a wake-up call that this company become far too powerful.

or, EU is a bloodthirsty vampire thats trying to drink the blood out of the p**** of Microsoft ... due to extreme p**** envy and greed.

Yeeha. Bad propaganda is always possible. I can't say it isn't entertaining to read the utmost spin.

Sustainability of public affairs does not seem to be important for Microsoft. Sure, it does heavily fire back.

The question is: why? Is MS management unable to adapt to European usances? Don't they get it? Do they think their communication will impress or mislead politicians?

I'm done with this web site. The abusive comments and personal attacks have totally ruined it. Good luck to the rest of you guys.

Its not the websites fault, this is just a home for microsoft haters .... wait .... Betanews encourages the microsoft hatred with suggestive and biased stories ... hmm your right.

Who would have quessed, Microsoft? Abusive?

*shocking*

Who would've guessed EU, greedy? ridiculous? repulsive? wow.

It's sad how many people can't understand the real issues here. Sadder yet are the ones that refuse to even try to understand.

Microsoft has been convicted of crimes. Not once or twice, but over and over again. They have been ordered by the courts to make restitution and they have refused. Not an honest, upstanding, look you in the eye refusal, but a weaselly, slimy, disingenuous evasion. When I see what they are willing to do I wonder where they draw the line.

Apparently, it is you who has an inability to understand what is going on.

I do feel sorry for brainwashed government drones like yourself.

Another Microsoft tactic: When the facts don't fit your agenda make a personal attack.

Yea it's a conspiracy man...

Why the hell are you constantly making personal attacks? "He who thinks he knows everything is a fool and knows nothing."

Only against dumb people.

No, just shows how misguided both sides have become.

Just like politics, it is no longer the best solution we are searching for, but the solution that makes the biggest blow to those who oppose us or oppose our cause. Republicans and Democrats are both destroying this country because they are too busy fighting "against" the other rather than fighting "for" their own cause.

Here, the stakes aren't nearly as big, but most people here are just fighting for selfish reasons. Some just post in here so they can hear "well said" or some other approval simply because they feel nobody hears them in real life. Others are here to attack one group without any regards to who is right or wrong, but because it makes them feel more superior to others when they constantly attack them.

Others really do believe in their stance and have good reasons to do so, but upon criticism from others they simply ignore the opposing arguments or switch to the "attacker" role (above) to justify the shakey areas of their current beliefs.

What's the commonality? Low self esteem? HECK no--it is arrogance. I believe what I believe and for you to question that questions MY intelligence, and I'll be da@ned if anyone ever makes a legitimate argument that disproves what I believed to be true, and then I'll have to admit I am intellectually inferior to someone else.

Sorry I'm a little off subject...

A foreign entity trying to invade an US entity?

I'm more worried about their abusive OSs than their abusive behavior. All of us are obnoxious at times, but most of us don't have the kind of power that Bill and Steve possess.

Lawyers = lowest form of life on earth.
EU = many lawyers.
Lawyers sue for profit and personal gain.

Everyone hates lawyers until they need one. Two-faced crap makes me sick. Same with cops. Everyone complains about them until their life is on the line or something precious is threatened, then they become their best friend. Oh, and the US easily has 3 times the attorneys as the entire EU combined.

I think a better question would be, how many of Microsofts applications run on different platforms? What are they talking about?

Technically: all of them. VMware. Wine. etc. etc. The lines of distinction are blurring thanks to technology. Technology is obviously moving faster than most legal systems can keep up with.

Every day there is an article about how the EU is pissed off at MS. Its getting ridiculous.

"Getting" ridiculous?

I thought it WAS ridiculous a long time ago.

I think the EU is being abusive. They have demonstrated their majority in stupidity, and should be forced to document just how ridiculous they can get. Obviously, it needs be larger than 10,000 pages worth as well, as that's incomplete.

"She pointed to the fact that the company's server products still continue to work far more smoothly with Microsoft products than those of competitors."

Um, duh, why make it work better with competition than your own products?

"Since the EU began its investigation in 1999, Microsoft's share of workgroup servers has ballooned from 35 percent to about 75 percent of the market."

So it would seem that the EU is causing bigger problems by what they are doing than if they just left Microsoft alone, no?

"While the Redmond company is making steps towards interoperability, the EC contends that Microsoft is charging too much for it."

So by paying the EU, MS will be encouraged to make LESS money to make up for the lost profits?

Yeah, I know I've oversimplified a bit too much, but really, what does the EU expect from Microsoft when they are INCREASING their sales in server products despite the fact that they are "charging too much" for them?

EU=fat, greedy pig.

MS=big red, juicy apple.

What they have failed to realize, is that the pig gets killed and cooked before it gets the apple. ;)

Then why don't they make Audi parts work with Peugeot parts better?

Don't forget they've more than doubled their share versus free products.

That was so beautifully composed. I had tears in my eyes reading it. Thank you. :)

I know, it frustrates me daily that I can't put the C6 corvette engine in my Geo Metro... ;P

Ouch, the stupid, it hurts!

[Microsoft]: Play by my rules, or I'll cry! Why should I have to follow anyone's laws? Whaa!

Ouch the stupid?

zrid, you're a retard.

There is something wrong with you, you can't possibly be this ignorant and stupid can you?

...and *you* call *me* a troll.

Oooh, the irony. (more tragedy than irony, but hey, if Alanis can get away with it...)

Have you ever posted, even once, a coherent, informative comment?

Of course not.

You can't.

So instead, you run chase me around this forum acting like a 5 year-old and posting links to this shrine you've created to your own uselessness.

Grow up.

He's a middle-aged loser who can't come to grips with his own uselessness, so to compensate he lashes out at anyone who actually has a clue.

He couldn't think for himself if someone held a gun to his head. Instead he parrots blog-postings and other people's rants and joins in whenever someone else is getting flamed so he can feel like he's a part of something.

Eventually, he'll snap.

*shrug*

Life goes on...

Consider it a testament that he is completely incapable of forming a coherent argument and the frustration of such has forced him to resort to infantile webpages as his only effort to fight back. In short...it's like the 5 year old on the playground calling you a poopyhead.

Just wait til I put a... oh, nevermind, I don't know enough about cars.

Don't you just love to watch people like zrid make fools of themselves!

I thought they were both making fools of themselves. It's always a laugh to read posts from PC_Tool or zridling - misguided conclusions and glaring inaccuracies aside!

It's me PC_Fool and I *am* a troll.

Oooh, the irony. (more tragedy than irony, but hey, I'm a f**got and can get away with it...)

I have never posted, not even once, an informative comment!

Of course not, since I'm gay.

I can't. It's cause I'm a f**got.

So instead, I run and chase after other gays in the forum acting like a 5 year-old and posting links to my true shrine that has been created in my honor.

I don't grow up I throw up and when I look at you I blow up.

Dude, if you think I'm in error, do tell. I'll gladly, if I haven't already in the comment body, supply you with my sources.

As for the entertainment value, I'm pleased the fact that I've hooked another troll provides entertainment to more than just myself.

Sometimes it's almost too easy.

lmao..

Pure comic genius. (Your life, not the post)

I hope the mods don't catch this one. I'd hate for anyone to miss out on yet another of Zaine Ridlings retarded flaming.

Refill your blinker fluid with Jet fuel? :p

lmao..

Pure comic genius. (my life as pc_tool, it's a very gay f**goty life)

I hope the mods don't catch aids or herpes from me, pc_tool. I'd hate for the f**gots and gaylords to miss out on yet another of my (pc_tool) retarded gay flaming.

I'm a middle-aged loser and I can't come to grips with my own uselessness, so to compensate for my own stupid f**goty ass, I lash out at anyone who actually has a clue. pc_tool is my gay name.

I can't think for myself even if someone had a gun to my head. Instead I parrot blog-postings and other people's rants and join in whenever someone else is getting flamed so I can feel like I'm a part of something but in the end, I'm just a f**got named pc_tool.

Eventually, I'll snap.

*shrug*

Life goes on...

Dude, if you think I'm in error then you're right. I'm just a f**got and if I haven't mentioned that fact in the comment body, then I'll supply you with sources to prove that I, PC_Tool, am truly a gaylord.

As for the entertainment value, I'm pleased the fact that I am a f**got and that I've hooked another f**got troll provides entertainment to more than just my f** self.

Sometimes it's almost too easy to tell how much of a f**got I am. Then again, my name is PC_Tool and that in itself proves I'm a f**got.

PC_Tool=fat, greedy pig.

MS=fat, greedy pig.

What they have failed to realize, is that these two are both fat, greedy pigs and they want their stupid asses fudgepacked with black salami. ;)

The Microsoft tools that post here need to have the cream pie of truth shoved in their face. But this kind of stuff doesn't do any good at all. You've lowered yourself even below their level.

can you get anymore childish and lame?

lmao...

I'm sure he'll try...

...much to the detriment of these forums, unfortunately.

You win.

You're by far the most childish person here.

Congratulations. Enjoy the honor.

I win.

My name is PC_Tool and I am by far the most childish person here.

Yay me! I'm truly a homo!

can you get to be anymore of a PC_Tool f**boy and fudgepacker?

My name is PC_Tool and I'll sure try...

...much to the detriment of these forums, unfortunately.

lmao...

Wow...it's like watching my 5 year old have a tantrum. PC_Tool really pissed you off huh? So bad you've lost all control and what little maturity you had.

oh im sure he is very creative, i mean he can take an post pc_tool makes and change a few words to f**, home, f**got and fudgepacker and make himslef laugh out of his seat. on age i bet he is a 16 year old, pimply faced youth who has never had a girlfriend, but then again, whats it matter? we still have to suffer his stupidity however old he really is.

Zaine Ridling, by his own admission, is over 40.

...going on 3

That would be cool! Hehe, hehe...

Wow...it's like watching f**boy arakiel have a tantrum like a 5 year old. f**boy really pissed you off huh? So bad you've lost all control and continue to post.

oh im sure f**master is very creative, i mean he can take a post pc_tool makes and change a few words to f**, homo, f**got and fudgepacker and make himself laugh out of his seat. on age i bet f**master is a 12 year old zit faced, smelly, watermelon eating, cotton picking black youth who likes to have sex with beanbags, but then again, whats it matter? we still have to suffer f**master's stupidity however old he really is.

...just like the f**boy arakiel

you keep talking but all i'm hearing is "waa waa waa!"

you keep talking but all i'm hearing is "waa waa waa!"

No, it would be HOT!!!

Pity the fool, PC_Tool :D

not on opposite day

Great post! The adage is true:"there are way more horses asses than there are horses."

Wait a minute, what was the topic again... oh yea. Carry on...

Holy crap! This is getting stupider by the minute. Please give the rest of us a break?

Not to be a detail-monger, but would the article like to point out an example?

OH come on. The EU is being way more abusive than Microsoft is. Every week the EU is doing something to screw them over.

Microsoft has too much power, and EU wants a peice of it. If they can't have a peice of it, make MS smaller so that EU appears bigger, giving them more "virtual" power. I really do think it is that simple.

Now, by EU I am referring to the commission and the union leaders, not Europe as a whole. Just wanted to clarify that...

So because something works better on a Microsoft Platform with Microsoft software this is abuse?

I don't know this seems stupid to me.

For example, look at Itunes it runs like crap on a pc but on a apple pc it runs quite smoothly, so is apple being abusive too?

Gaim runs smoother on Linux then it does windows does that mean Linux is being abusive?

This should be the case for most things that are designed for the specific software to begin with, it wouldnt make sense for Itunes to run better on a pc when its an Apple product. Same as Gaim it wouldn't make sense for it to run better on Windows then Linux as it was designed with Linux in mind.

where in the rules of all that is the world does it say you have to support your competition, just because you earned the majority or the market? if thats true then apple has a good way to go with supporting their competitiors music download services...

> Gaim runs smoother on Linux then it does windows does that mean Linux is being abusive?

I realise that this particular commissioner makes herself look rather unreasonable, but what I believe she is getting at is protocol level compatibility, not performance.

That being said, not having studied economics and Microsoft's business practices inanely for the last few years, I can't say that with any authority.

Not necessarily true. Why must the EU be quick to jump the gun that an application runs smoother on Windows? It could be a whole series of variables.

Consider these possibilities: Poor coding on the software vendor themselves, more QA testing performed on Microsoft's part to improve stability. Heck, even the term more "smooth" in terms of software is subjective to a person.

Music download services? Sence we are basicaly talking "manopoly" here, how about their computers in general? Or the iPod or now the NEW OVERSIZED IPOD being called Apple TV? NONE of that stuff works without APPLE software in one form or another and barely works with Microsoft.

EVERYone has compatibility problems with everyone elses hardware and software for one reason or another.

MAC Hardware has problems when used on a PC, so why does a Microsoft product HAVE to work perfectly with a MAC?

I learned "what go's around/comes around" when I was a child. These companies it seems have yet to learn that same lesson. MAC, your PC BASHING is a flick (flick in Microsoft's forehead), witch makes microsoft say "Fine, then gimme that" and there is the flick - flick (double flick in MAC's forehead), and so on to where they both are still fighting years later (like they are now) by providing crappy support and products for eachothers systems.

As stated before, it only makes sense that a creators software will work better on that same creators hardware and visa/versa. THAT software and hardware was created for that brand and its hardware and software in mind.

If you ask me, and i know you didnt, whats the bid deal? Who cares if a Microsoft keyboard wont work on a MAC? Who cares if the iTunes music can not be played on the Zune? After all, are not these 2 products propriatory? Dont the creaators of the hardware and software have the right to say as to how and where theyre products work? Why cant "Created for Windows / Created for MAC" mean JUST THAT?

It was meant for the "Microsoft Windows" users. After all, its the windows users who will be purchasing the hardware the most, not the MAC Kids.

NOW, if some OTHER company like "Logitech, Gateway, NEC, CA, HP, DELL" wants to create hardware for both the MAC and Windows OS then it should be THEIR responsibility to be fully supported by the OS NOT Microsoft OR Apple.

THEY should be the ones on the EU hotseat for failing to make the thir (third party) hardware work correctly. After all, THEY were the ones that wrote the software (drivers/program) that was used to install the third party device in the first place.

not to nitpick or anything but its Mac not MAC as that is the acronym for Media Access Control...

all im saying is you cant pick and choose, either rule that nobody has to be compatible with each other, or rule that everyone has to. simple, apply the rule to everyone, not just the richest or those in better market standing.

"not to nitpick or anything"

Then why did you bother to nitpick??

because it will save him from further abuse if he continues to type MAC in all caps when referring to apple computers

Yea, because people actually care?

"because it will save him from further abuse if he continues to type MAC in all caps when referring to apple computers"

Well, I don't mean to nitpick, but....

You should be capitalizing the first word of your sentence...and don't begin a statement with a conjuction (because). Also, I believe you're missing all sorts of punctuation...particularly at the end of your sentence, you seem to be missing a period.

I'm just saying, just to save you from further abuse of the English language.

Thank you! I appreciate the criticism and I will try harder not to abuse the English language. :)

not to nitpick or anything but niro is a fudgepacking f**boy.

i'm just saying... lol!

look at that f**boy niro just a runnin' that mouth. you must be black? comes from the big lips... mind you, you also probably suck off pc_tool and the other lamers therefore your lips just keep on going lol

your watermelon and your cotton are over there on the plantation, boy

lmao!