I think the reason the EU is making a fuss over something as little as a media player is they NEED to otherwise they have no J.O.B! All they're doing is sit on the b-hinds and smoke cigars 99% of the time and spend the 1% trying to make themselves look important by making a fuss with a rich company and fine them for no reason to get $millions. The money most likely goes in their pockets!

I recently installed Ubuntu and that came with a media player and FireFox! Why aint they making a fuss over that?!

as I and many others have said time and time again... linux distros are a VERY small percentage of the market. The reason noone fusses over bundled apps in linux distros is a simple one.. linux is NOT excersizing monopoly control over the marketplace, Microsoft is. and you can talk until you are blue in the face that MS isnt a monopoly, and more and more you make yourself out as just uninformed.

You and the two other users of Ubuntu should write a letter of protest.

Whatever your opinion I'm sure that the European citizen has about as much influence over the EU as I do over the Bush administration--in other words, zilch. I'll render them the courtesy of not making slackjawed, slopeheaded generalizations as "Those damn Europeans!" for what the EU does. I hope they'll return the favor.

Why do people underestimate the impact of Microsoft or its product(s) have?

Comparing Linux to Windows is pretty hilarious, if you ask me. Microsoft has pretty unique position when it comes to operation systems.

As for WMP, its a ****ing joke. Plain and simple.

It is deplorable that the commission is forcing Microsoft to alter
their product because the commission apparently has no understanding
or reason concerning this matter. I am shocked to see that the
commission has the audacity to tell Microsoft that they have to alter
their product. The fact of the matter is that Microsoft should be
able to distribute their own products however they deem fit. If the
commission or the end users don't like what Microsoft has done with
their software, then don't use that software. It really is as simple
as that. As far as not liking Microsoft's Windows Media Player being
bundled into Windows because the commission thinks that this gives
Microsoft an unfair advantage is ludicrous. The commission and the
end users are not being forced to use the player. Moreover, the end
user will use what is best. If a competing product is better, would
they not use that instead? Perhaps this is not about Microsoft at
all. Perhaps this is the commission's way of saying that the people
under them are incapable of making decisions for themselves and that
they are not intelligent enough to use what is best for them. Rather,
they would just use what is already there as they drool on themselves.
The commission's actions against Microsoft clearly show both its
ignorance in regards to a business' rights and arrogance in its
thinking that people are not smart enough to pick the best products
for themselves. Just because a developer's software is bundled into
its own products, neither means that it will be the only product the
end user will use, nor does it mean that competing developers will be
hindered in getting equally well made or better products into the end
user's hands. This non-'issue' could simply have been resolved by
educating the public, whom the commission seems to not think too
highly, about business/marketing in general and a person's ability to
think for themselves.

NOTE: My views on this matter are my own. I neither work for, nor am
affiliated with Microsoft in any way. I am merely a user of their
products as well as the products of others. I personally do use
Windows Media Player in conjunction with competing players. My
decisions to use the products that I use are based solely on what I
like and not what is 'forced' on me. It is my personal opinion that
Microsoft (or any business) should be able to incorporate their own
products within themselves without restriction.

You tell that to a "newbie" who just bought his/her first PC. My sister didnt even know its possible to have alternative browser or media player.

"Forums, whats that?!"

Seriously, you overestimate how many people actually know what they are doing when it comes to computers.

They cant evaluate something that they dont understand!

a better idea for a letter to the EU

Dear EU
Thank you for watching out for the interests of the consumer yet again. Though we don't like to admit it, we are in need of protection from ourselves, because left alone more often then not we always end up bludering around aimlessly, causing untold damage to whatever we touch. Thank you from all the new computer users. Thank you from all the computer technicians who, though we make tons of money because ever day we see the results of consumers left to their own devices - we get tired of yanking out our shorthairs dealing with the lamers, but most of all, thank you from the computer software industry in general, for not permitting a monopolistic mogul have too much control over our lives and our choices.

" Rather,they would just use what is already there as they drool on themselves "

You describe most of the people computer technicians desl with on a daily basis. They dont have the time nor the inclination do search for new and better. all they know is that they bought a computer (which in itself is intimidating for most consumers - who contrary to popular belief - do NOT spend 3/4 of their livces on the computer like a lot of you here do), and they are having a hard enough time just figuring out all these newfangled things.. "copy and paste" and "drag and drop" are very hard for them to do. "attach a file to an email"? gads, how ever do we do that?

Great point

The European government is just outright pathetic! All I can picture in my mind is a bunch of bumbling old fools sitting in their cliche leather chairs smoking their stereotypical tobacco pipes talking in their snide french accent "mmm, Basile, what ever shall we b**** about today?"

Seriously, Microsoft is just trying to offer a complete package. No one complains about all of the Linux distributions doing it. Why should it be any different for Microsoft Windows? I feel as though people that complain about this trite insignificant bulls*** just need to shut up.

"Oh my god, Microsoft Windows will allow me to play my music and videos right out of the box, those bas****s!"

Then for the EU to force a name onto the product... WTF! Pathetic, thats what I think of the entire European government now. Way to go guys, keep up the good work, maybe tomorrow you can b**** about getting a toy with your Happy Meal!

It's not childish. This is an exercise. How else do you get the experience ?
The EC is courageous to continue this matter.
MS should be glad. It's because of it's large installed base that it gets this attention. Like paying taxes : you earn more, you pay more - I want to pay more taxes !
I thought MS would have taken a more elegant and less damaging approuch to the matter.

Jan Pauwels,
at the center of Europe

The European Union does not seem to be following the beliefs and consensus of the majority of Europeans, however. They seem to be following the majority of European businesses that can't compete on their own merit (regardless of reason).

No one ever said that competing against the big guy was easy... if it were, do we really think little kids would get beaten up in school for lunch money and copied homework? But it is possible... look at the success of Firefox. Look at all the small businesses that thrive daily despite Microsoft's successes. Microsoft added a firewall to Windows, yet ZoneAlarm, Sygate, Norton, McAfee and others still succeed in selling more advanced firewall software. Windows Media Player is no different-- it hasn't really stopped people from using Apple's QuickTime or Real's RealPlayer or MusicMatch, etc.

The only thing stopping a company like Real is themselves. Their product is slow, buggy, difficult to use, and most importantly to security/privacy advocates-- it has been known to violate privacy **in the past** by tracking user activity through cookies. They shot themselves in the foot and now want to blame Microsoft for attempted murder. It's a fraudulent claim at best.

If you can honestly claim you don't have any choice but to use Microsoft products, then you haven't looked at the options lately. Even Apple is becoming popular again because of their iPods and iTunes. Linux and other open-source projects are becoming very attractive too.

I can't help but think about Sean Connery's character in the movie The Rock... "Losers always whine about their best; Winners go home and **** the prom queen." A rude statement, but a true one none the less-- and whine about their best is all these complainers against Microsoft do to the courts.

I am French you pathetic f****g loser so be careful about bashing people like that. Prejudice will get you nowhere. As for the Microsft vs. EU case well, that's just politic. Go back to school you moron and don't ever bash my people again! Non mais ça va pas à la tête?!

Yeah well, I'm not really happy with your government as a whole. Way to be completely ball-less and not join in any conflict, then try to reap the benefits (oil) from the country *WE* liberated. Good job.

That aside, the EU is not just French, and as a whole are freaking retards and are just trying to show the world they can pee standing up. Some day they'll get lives and realize the world hates their decisions against some companies.

The picture *I* get when I picture the EU, in this case, is a little 3 or 4 year old going, "BUT I WANT THE CANDY! PLEASE! I WANT IT! PLEEEEEAAAASSSE!" (while stomping on the ground and kicking and screaming... think supermarket and you'll get a great idea of what I'm talking about.)

liberated?

HAHAHA

Wow, no surprise here... it's another French person whining and complaining.

"....then try to reap the benefits (oil) from the country *WE* liberated"...SHICACA, I surely hope you are been sarcastic on this one?!! Your government is stealing goods from every underdeveloped nation in the world and you call that "liberating a country"??! Please but please!! I admire what the USA has done regarding technology breakthroughs from big companies such as Microsoft, Apple, Intel, IBM etc. (not mentioning stealing from each other, ha-ha!!) Please don’t get me wrong here, but your government is corrupted. Enough politic. Have a good day ;-)

Sorry your French you loser

Each true liberal Country has laws against monopoly. EU is trying to enforce these rules. By the way I think they are late. How about Internet Explorer abuse against Netscape some years ago?

In any case EU citizens have poor influence vs. EU government, to say one, each EU Country has "VAT", a sales tax that's arount 15-20% (actually some US States have something similar, but around 3%, and internal to the State). Do you think EU citizens are happy with VAT? :)

Each true liberal Country has laws against monopoly. EU is trying to enforce these rules. By the way I think they are late. How about Internet Explorer abuse against Netscape some years ago?

In any case EU citizens have poor influence vs. EU government, to say one, each EU Country has "VAT", a sales tax that's arount 15-20% (actually some US States have something similar, but around 3%, and internal to the State). Do you think EU citizens are happy with VAT? :)

Right, so every european is French, that right? For a start the summit is in Belgium. For those Americans among you with your heads so far up your arses that you don't know where Belgium is, it's near France but to the right a bit.

I'm from England and while I may not agree with the EU, I still think that the people using this disagrement as an excuse for racist remarks are pathetic.

Have you ever been to France? It's actually a beautiful country with a rich history and wonderful people. Don't put someone elses country down until you've experienced it, not just seen French delegates on TV but actually been there and spoken to them.

I think this is really unfair, actually redicilous. Are they doing the same to Linux distributions? Microsft really does allot to supply poeple with a complete solution and package. Majority of people would complain that they dont get enough for their money. Now others complain they dont have a choice. I think in anyway the people that has the knowledge to complain, also have the knowledge to download, BUY and install something else. Nobody tells Porsche how to build their cars, and what to include or exclude. A left hand drive Porsche in Europe is called a Porsche "L", and a right hand drive Porsche in other countries are just called a Porsche. If the Europpean Commission wants the European customers to have a choice, let them develope and build their own operating system, and see how long it takes them to come up with something people are 100% satisfied with. Windows Media Player 10 according to me is one of the best FREE options out there. All these court cases going on is clearly an indication that people has nothing else to keep them busy with. I mean, telling Microsoft what to even name their product, it's shocking. And rejecting suggestions from Microsoft, come on. Im not a Microsoft "FAN" nor a linux "FAN", I'm a "FAN" of something that works, and get service and support from. If people are not happy with something, don't buy it. If you dont want Media Player, Uninstall it. And I really dont know how this is going to change anything about the fact that Microsoft has the monopoly. Its not about Windows Media Player in anyway, its about the platform. Why dont they let the people vote, and decide. And give Microsoft's marketing department the initiative and oportunity to address this issue then, thats what they are there for, making sure they have happy customers. The more I think about this thing the more absurd it becomes. Well ... this is it for now, think I made my point.

Will EU ever get some cross breading to compensate for the inbreeding that has corrupted everyone of the wealthy families?
I mean hell that is what is really going on here. The inbred wealthy families of EU are so vastly stupid that they don't understand anything so they make really stupid laws to try and help themselves understand when it really only shows how retarded they really are!

Ya'll don't know who the bad guy is do you? Most of you would be flaming M$ if this were a U.S. deal.

In reality, both parties are wrong. M$ for making it more than just an operating system, and the EU for deciding that the thing to go after would be WMP. I mean, c'mon.. what's next. Windows XP Q - no more embedded command window?

first off MS has the right to do absolutely what ever they want with "there own" software, now however the "user" uses these free products is totally upto them, no govt, union or anybody else for that matter should have anything to do with how anything should be made

if you release an product you must look what the law says.

for example clonecd, etc. in germany.

"now however the "user" uses these free products is totally upto them"

I think that is precisely why the EU is forcing Microsoft to comply. In the end they want people to be able to choose which media player they use. If Windows Media Player is packaged with the product then the average person will leave it on there. However, if there is no media player present the user must do a bit of research to find the appropriate player for their needs (therefore promoting fair use).

The majority of them would probably stick to Windows Media Player (Because it's readily available and free), but some people might find better alternatives in the process.

I would say you are sadly mistaken. Most options NEED WMP to work, No people wouldn't find something else. Most crap out there doesn't work or if it does it is full of spyware Like REAL player. Grow up and when you are 25 or older (mature) then you may speak.

Very intelligent there gawd21. Perhaps you would like to elaborate on the points that you are trying to make? I am interested in your point of view - even if it was quite a defensive stance.

No, microsoft does not have that right any longer. Ever since the Governments of the world got smart and decided that it is NOT ok for a monopoly to bend consumers over backwards.

The US government found them guiulty not once but twice of questionable activity resulting in their monopolistic control over the market.
The EU has apparently gotten wise and put them under scrutiny as well
and in France, Microsoft was found guilty of software piracy (interesting, the biggest advocate of anti-piracy are pirates themselves)....

and lets talk about linux... sure you can get a loit of bundled apps. but look close, the os is free, the apps are free, they arent giving you anything you are paying for AND they are a small portion of the market (smaller I believe than Mac is actually). They arent 98% of the market telling you "this is what you want and you will like it or else"

K-lite codec pack (the full pack and the mega pack) comes with bs player. nothing it in uses WMP, and it plays everything WMP plays and more. No most apps dont need WMP to work, just that microshaft has WMP ingrained into the os and all associations go to it. winamp, bs player, and a host of others give you the option to change those associations. when an app calls an avi file, or an mpeg or whatever, that application calls to open whatever application is associated with that file type.

and in counter toi your "those over 25 are invited to reply" I counter with "those over 40 wiuth an iq over 140 are invited to reply" XD

Monopoly my a** if you made this software spent millions marketing it etc. Your stupid comments would not be posted here. Get a clue.

Not to mention you are technically paying for the WMP with the purchase of Windows.

My question is: What's stopping a user from doing a "custom install" and UNSELECTING THE WMP OPTION?! It's possible, so either the EU officials are too retarded to see it, or they hold their citizens at a very low regard and think they're too stupid to figure it out themselves.

Why not just have them bundle it with but have the installer ask, "Do you want to install Windows Media Player?" "Do you want to install Internet Explorer?" etc. Oh wait. They already do. Instead it's in a button format. Duh.

"MS has the right to do absolutely what ever they want with "there own" software"

Who says, you?

what part of the word monopoly dont you understand. The US government has mocrosoft listed as a monopoly, the EU does as well.. who are you,. some pathetic individual who must resort to base swearing in your crassness. who are you to question facts clearly established?

So if I owned a company that made millions coding and selling software I wouldn't be able to post here?

So if you find a better one use it. MS does not prevent other players use.

if MS will give you a free car, then it is likely that Ford and General Motors will fail...

it's good because the wmp is a big s***.
codecpack with mpc and all ist good.

for "normal" users it's a little strange. but the most websites with stream released also real stream and real player is better than wmp.

it's a big step to a better windows for the users.
the problem with ie is also a big s***. because the ie is not html conform and so some websites doesn't work or works bad with other and better browsers.

wmp can't remove with add/remove. you can "deactivate" wmp but not uninstall.

you must use other tools or same entrys in the add/remove script.

Your points are valid, but you ruin your argument with your constant swearing.

Real player > WMP? right... *rolls eyes*

get real (no pun intended)

I never use WMP myself, but saying Real Player is better is ridiculous.

I forgot 2 ***'ed words are "swearing"

Swearing is the entire word. Look at TV. They beep it out, but if you look at their lips or listen to the first letter you still get their gist. That's what they did.

You sound like your 80 years old, "OMG MY VIRGIN EARS HE SAID A STARED WORD!"

damn europeans

yes damn europeans. I've been watching this ridiciolous battle over the last couple of months and the EU just seems to be run by a bunch of morons. This is what happens when you left big government in to run things for you.

LOL, let big government run things for you? Look at the US, we have so many laws that not even the government knows them all, and noone can enforce them all.

rofl!! that true!
look at wacko jacko!! just jail the peado! not look in books/ laws on how to do it!

Sure, the letter "N" is whole lot more descriptive than "Reduced Media". Who's fooling who now?

The N Stands for No Problem. As in, the Europeans have No Problem making Microsoft pay more money to develop a new version of Windows. Microsoft paying more money doesn't bother most people. But if Microsoft has to pay more money to develop multiple products, I am sure those costs will be passed on to consumers.

I don't understand why Europeans could not just go into Add/Remove Programs and remove the products they don't want. This could also easily be done in Install Scripts.

Arg!

"I don't understand why Europeans could not just go into Add/Remove Programs and remove the products they don't want."

Hmm...let's see, maybe because it's *impossible* to uninstall Windows Media Player?

Lets be clear here, this is purely EU bureaucrats that want this change, NOT europeans.

I for one am furious that they are wasting energy on something as dumb as this, when there are so many more important issues they should be addressing.

At the end of the day, Microsoft will be selling these 2 media player free versions alongside the original versions, at exactly the same selling price, so who on earth will buy them??

Does anyone know which EU bureaucrats are responsible for this? I certainly wont be voting for them next time around..

Erm, check first, then write comment. It's very possible.

The N stands for Neutered. :)

ok this is totally dumb, no one will prevent MS to set Internet Explorer's homepage to Windows Media Player website with a big download link

Now THAT would be funny.

If Microsoft can't comply with laws in certain countries then the solutions are obvious:

1. Comply with the countries laws
2. Don't sell your products in that country

So you think. All it does is remove visible shortcuts, but check Program Files and it's still there. (Note that I have no problem with this, because other programs may depend on it; I'm just saying, you can't really uninstall it, at least not without third-party software, and I don't even know if you can with that; I'm just assuming.)

They made the darn law to screw MS. Grow up. You might not miss the point.

rofl.... that's awesome.

I *did* check first, in fact, this is a long established fact...you are both ignorant and full of s***

I think the EU Commission knows what they are doing. WinXP is a great operating system but to forcefully bundle shove all that BS that got packaged with it is complete nonsense. I never use half that stuff. I would gladly buy the STRIPED DOWN to the core version without any of that at the same price, for the general public however if people don't want to worry about downloading extra software to make things work then they buy the MEGA UBER WINXP instead and thats that.

Why would you want to give up a choice ?

In a way the EU Commision is protecting the general public and the dumba**es that posted here, who the hell wants a security flawed Internet Explorer or Media Player shoved down their face anyways ?

Do yourself a favour and download Firefox a much better replacement for Internet Explorer. Then get Media Player Classic which is a nice video/audio player without the extra bs, Then grab the Codec Pack bellow and you will be able to play all the common and popular audio/video formats. (even Real Player, Quicktime).

Firefox
http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/

Media Player Classic
http://sourceforge.net/p...03&package_id=84358

Codec Pack
http://www.free-codecs.c...d/K_Lite_Codec_Pack.htm

no... they made those laws to protect consumers, to protect the industry and foster growth in the software industry.

Jesus Christ, how can somebody tell Microsoft what to do with their software? God, why is it microsofts fault they are doing well and even out competing all their rivals. Its pretty simple. Their software, there property, they do what they F***in please. If some stupid a** Country doesnt like it, they can go appoint some programmers to make a g**d*** "EU Special Edition" Operating system. Microsoft should say "F" you all and stop production for year, pull all operating systems off the shelfs, see how people feel, and if they get harassed threaten to shred the damn source code up and laugh at everybody. ITS THERE CODE, THEIR IDEAS, THERE IMPLEMENTATIONS!! If EU doesnt want Media Player in Windows, then they should shut their mouths, ban microsoft. Do they? No, they obviously dont want to do that. Even though I'm a windows user, I would'nt mind seeing what happens if Microsoft closes its doors for a while and see who comes crawling to them for mercy!

"Lets be clear here, this is purely EU bureaucrats that want this change, NOT europeans."

Agreed. The technocrats wasting taxpayers’ money in Brussels have no legitimacy whatsoever.

"I for one am furious that they are wasting energy on something as dumb as this, when there are so many more important issues they should be addressing."

I hear you brother, although I'm not so much concerned by the *energy* they're wasting than by the *money*.
And come to think of it, I'm not sure I'd like to see them addressing more important issues...

"Does anyone know which EU bureaucrats are responsible for this? I certainly wont be voting for them next time around.."

Well, that's precisely where the trick is - and that's what all the EU knee-jerks and MS haters in this thread fail to see: the commission is made of *unelected* members, accountable to nobody but themselves. I would go as far as calling them a bunch of autocratic thugs.
You know the difference between a Fascist and a Communist economy? In a Communist economy, the state owns the means of production. In a Fascist one, it 'just' controls them (for a living example of both, see the evolution of China). Guess where Europe stands at the moment?

Depending on where you live, you may have an option to kick the beast in the teeth though: in some countries, that charter of slavery called the European Constitution shall be approved by referendum. Approved *or* rejected. There you go.

Anyway, as far as MS is concerned, anybody who believes the EU cares about the customers in that respect is vastly deluded.

Dude What I really dont understand is ...
1. Will removing the Media Player from the standard WinXP home/professional really reduce the price..I think not. WMP is free and hence Microsoft wouldnot reduce price to remove that.

2. Real better than WMP.. Guys you must be really joking or never ever used a computer to its fullest.

3. WMP usage. Ask any tech guy and he would be more happy to say you that wma/wmv compressions are one of the best compressions for the streaming. I am not sure if Media Player Classic can play these streaming audio/vedio

Even if the media players in market can play, how does WMP bundled or not bundled make a difference. Ask you mother to buy a new computer and then go to internet to download a new software install it and then only can she manage to listen to some mp3/audio CD that you recently presented her and more than 90% of the time she would refuse to do so.

Next comes the point of downloading. Just because yoiu have a 24hrs internet connection do you just assume that people can download these softwares at there free will. There are many houses even today who DONOT have internet connection. So does EU mean that
"So you donot use internet bad luck dude you cannot listen to any media or watch any media"

I myself use Media player classic for watching movies, but such a descision is all i can say "DUMBEST" ever heard of and all these people talking about this as a great descision... followers .. just because ur neighbour is doing so without thinking why am i doing that ...

Good point! mtl000

I think you'll find that the EU are trying to stop "MS" muscling out the opo!

eg.
If Ford muscled out every entire car industry would you be happy with the same car as everyone else??

Those n00bs don't have the choice as they don't know any different as MS have rammed it down there throat without them knowing.
Now thats clever, but no one thinks of it like that.
Hay its free "what the hay!" (As MS rub there hands)

i think microsoft should stop selling their product in europe for awhile and see how they like it. maybe then they will stop complaining about what microsoft chooses to include in their own software

anyone notice that if you run windows update without media player installed it will automatically put it on the install list?

You really think Microsoft is irreplaceable ? You think we would crawl for its 'good software'. By the way, what the f*ck do you people care. You aren't EU citizens. Is this chauvinism ? You can be really proud of Microsoft, hu.

I think they should tell the European to fend for themselves and pull out of their countries and figure out who will make their operating system now. Put them years behind the computer age and let them beg MS to come back.

KSzostek and Silentmaster101, you're both obviously very smart people. NOT!

Ever wonder that many Europeans actually like Windows and that's why we use it along with WMP and oppose what the EU is doing to Microsoft?

Hypothetically, if MS did pullout then Europe would end up with our own operating system and our own software, that works and maybe, just maybe, the US would be beging the 'Eurpeans' to let them use our operating system.

yuppysniff21, you're another moron who is one brain short of a human. We do have a choice, I for one, have other players installed and even Linux with its own offerings. We do have a choice, just like the US, and no one rams it down our throats.

Anyone who bashes the Europeans (the citizens of Europe) is a total moron. Why? Simply because the Europeans don't have a word in this. If I rant and rave about the ruling then my calls will simply go unheard. Bash the few people working in the Commission who made the dicision, not the rest of the citizens of Europe.

Mark Gillespie, ambok and Planet.Of.Wounds have very valid posts that I myself respect. Go ahead and read them.

"What do you people care?"

You gotta be kidding me! We US of A'ns don't give a rats a** if Europe burns in hot hell! We're tired of listening to your asses cry all the time! What you mf***s really want to say is "I hate Microsoft and the USA because they are the worlds super power. They kick our asses in innovation so we b**** all the time." You idiots need to really get a life. Build your own fu***** OS and all the other software. Let you idiots innovate for a while.

By not putting WMP in XP they are taking away the choices of the European consumer that are not like all on this thread ---tech savy--
How would you like it if you did not have an internet connection to get another player or WMP or you did not know how to find one as probably half of todays computer users. The left leaning gov of Europe just has to control everything even the name of the new version.

to be honest... whats the whole point in taking out wmp?
it comes with windows, useful in a way to use it.
i prefer using winamp and music match, but for sure i wouldnt use real...
its useless comparing to the others.
an option would be using windows media classic with the codecs.

would u buy MS xp with WMP or without it for the same price?

useless war...

It'd be kind of fun to make the EU pay 3x as much as the rest of the world for their software. They can't do anything about that b/c it's their software and they can charge what they want.

People will and can get Windows from other places... I sure hope they don't make the "N" version the only one available b/c I would def. not buy it.

"How would you like it if you did not have an internet connection to get another player or WMP or you did not know how to find one as probably half of todays computer users"

Blah blah blah

How would you know? You pick a box that says EVERYTHING BUNDELED instead of the box that says LITE EDITION.

Yes dumba** the same way you pick up a movie at a video store and look at the labels for the rating or if its sensored, subtitled etc so you know wtf you are getting. If you don't know how to read or are not sure you can always ask.

all this talk about that only the EU Goverment wants this and not europeans...

hmmm....im european, id be alot happier if MS just gave up on the EU market, linux and apple are years ahead of windows as it is....

WMP is free

No, it isn't. Microsoft incurs a significant expense in developing it which is passed on to you through the cost of Windows XP. Remember back before Windows 95 when Windows was $45-$99? That is because A: they weren't a monopoly; and B: they didn't have 5,000 employees writing code to trample other markets like media and internet space applications.

how are they taking away choices? I see two options where there used to be one. Looks to me like they are ADDING choices.

Lol bahwoot .. seems .. u didnt read the complete article. If Microsoft can sell your so called "Everything Bundled" or " Lite Edition" then the controversy wouldnot have existed at all .... dude get a life.. lol.. i dont know who hands you guys computers. Morons

Nice try. But it is clear you really have no clue you moron

Okay, then fine. Have it your way, let MS pull out of Europe. Then we'll see what happens.

You're the one who hasn't got a clue. Idiot.

I don't know why I'm wasting my time on you. People like you cannot be educated. Fact.

Kthxbye.