RSSJune 15 Release Set for Windows XP 'N'
By Nate Mook | Published June 8, 2005, 10:37 AM
Microsoft announced on Wednesday the release timetable for its version of Windows XP without Windows Media Player, simply branded with the additional moniker: N. The slimmed down OS will be available to European computer makers on June 15, with a retail launch slated for July 1.
It's not clear, however, if computer manufacturers will even be interested in the N editions, which carry the same price tag as versions with Windows Media Player.
The N editions of Windows XP were mandated as part of Microsoft's compliance with a European Commission antitrust ruling against the company levied in March 2004. Microsoft recently submitted its final proposal to comply with the EU's demands, which has been met with a positive response from European regulators.
As part of the ruling, Microsoft was also forced to pay 497 million euros and open up its Windows protocols to third parties. The source code licensing requirement became a sticking point, as Microsoft has refused to give access to open source developers due to intellectual property concerns.
Microsoft initially proposed calling the special WMP-free versions Windows XP Reduced Media Edition. EU officials, however, were not amused by the name and Microsoft reluctantly agreed to use the letter N, which stands for "not with media player."
Microsoft says it had suggested nine different names, which included Windows XP/N and Windows XP/B, as well as "Windows XP Not Incorporating Windows Media Player." All nine were rejected by the EU.
Windows XP Professional N and Windows XP Home Edition N were originally released to computer manufacturers in January, but the EU Commission called for additional changes following complaints from Microsoft rivals including Real Networks.
"As is the case with existing versions of Windows, computer makers and end users can install other media players with the software," the company said in a statement. "Microsoft provided CDs with both products to the European Commission early last week."
Its about time goverments stopped wasting time on chasing just microsoft. we need one rule for everyone, now make apple and linux remove real player or similar from there install CD's. Fair play is good, but it as to be the same across the board.
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|You say that Linux is also at fault for including a media player. I think what is happening is that the EU is upset that Microsoft included Microsoft Windows Media Player and no others, had it been some other player, they would not have bothered most likely.
Because of that, Linux is off the hook so to speak as almost all distributions are made including third-party programs. For instance, most distributions come equipped with MPlayer, VLC, or other media players that are completely developed by outside entities and not by the distribution team.
As that is the case, no one can go out and accuse Linux of bundling applications cutting off the competition as everyone has a fair chance to be included in a distribution and if not, they can just make their own thanks to the Open Source base. Plus, most distributions contain some formalized method of getting new programs such as APT-GET or RPM which gives access to software developed by third parties not controlled by people who released the distribution.
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|Honestly, Real software was great a few years ago, but now, it sucks, I mean, horrible. It will suck your computer resourse like hell, slow it down and not to mention running behind without telling you. I rather keep my Media Player, not simply is there, but it's better then the RealPlayer crap there is right now. Real, it's not because of Microsoft you lost your business, you jsut make crappy software now.
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|>> you jsut make crappy software now.
With built-in spyware.
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|I still thing MS should have called it "Diet XP"
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|Lol, "Diet XP". That's good - if I saw that on an OS I'd be interested in why.
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|Well as idiotic as this is maybe the EU idiots will finally shut up.
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|I hope you are right
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|If the EU was really serious about this, they would require Microsoft to offer third party programs such as browsers as options in the installation process and that Microsoft products be optional as well.
Considering the fact that Microsoft has been pushing for DVD only distribution for sometime, they could do it while charging a little extra for the regular CD distribution.
It may sound stupid and indeed impossible but it would get Microsoft off the hook for a lot of things and benefit a lot of third party developers.
The only barrier at that point would be specifying whether or not Microsoft could charge for inclusion in their releases or whether or not an oversight committee would review applications for inclusion made up of outside parties with no ties to Microsoft.
[IE- Browsers - Check Box Beside Browsers You Want Installed
Microsoft Internet Explorer
Microsoft MSN Explorer
AOL Explorer
Netscape Browser
Mozilla Firefox
Opera Browser
If you don't want any browser, uncheck any boxes above and click Next to continue]
Edit:
They could even include a button -
[Click Here To Install A Browser Not Listed Above*]
* = Requires Install File for Browser Not Listed
At that point, the Install would copy the file and then run it at the end of the installation of Windows unless specifically programmed to be able to run during a Windows Installation process.
-OR-
Windows could be programmed to run the install file based on default options [automagically] for those not specifically programmed
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|Sounds good, but you're crazy if you think that will happen. Microsoft is microsoft, and after they shove stuff down your throat, you just have to regurgitate what you don't need. ;)
It would be more likely that nLite evolves and offers you that option than microsoft doing so.
http://www.nliteos.com/nlite.html
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|It may be crazy but then again so wasn't the idea that people would want computers in their homes, the idea of using GUIs over command lines, and even the idea that anything over 640Kb was necessary.
The probability of this happening though... almost completely non-existent without action on the part of governments or even action on the part of competitors.
Oh and on a personal note: nLite is one of the best programs I ever used for slipstreaming and removing fodder.
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|totally... also i like that the price tag is the same, further encouraging ppl not to buy this piece of crap.
i like media player just fine. mpclassic for some stuff and media player 9 for other stuff. nothing wrong with either piece of software... i dunno what everone is complaining about... what would they rather use to watch movies... real player??? LOL
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|Quicktime, man. Only thing that would be better is if it didn't take 6 seconds for the browser plugin to start. But hey, it opens any video, so what more can you ask for?
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|Real Networks (formerly Progressive Networks) didn't have any problem with Microsoft bundling applications with their operating system years ago. In fact, Real Networks championed that practice when Microsoft bundled RealAudio Player as part of Windows 95. It's only since Microsoft's player advancing beyond their own product that they are now crying foul. With the success of the browser lawsuits, Real is attempting to make a fortune based off of the same unfair competition claim.
For your perusal:
http://www.microsoft.com...996/mar96/pronetpr.mspx
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|Since the price did not change and MS is not forced to "only" sell XP 'N", do not expect to see it being used.
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|This is what makes the whole thing ludicrous. Perhaps I should start a lawsuit against the european commision for misuse of my taxes on white elephant cases like this.
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|Microsoft should have told them to stuff it
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|Has to be the most appalling waste of EU time and money going.
Forcing Microsoft to produce a version of XP that nobody actually wants. What a masterstroke..
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|I actually like the idea of this. I use nLite and would like to remove WMP, if it weren't for the fact that some programs require WMP to be present for them to install, nevermind work! What's that all about?! If MS have found a way around this then I'll be particularly interested in XP N, especially as it says 'Based on Service Pack 2' on the box. That'd save me a whole lot of time installing SP2 or even just slipstreaming it. Sounds like a good idea and well worth looking at installing.
EDIT:
"Forcing Microsoft to produce a version of XP that nobody actually wants."
Errr didn't I just say that I wanted it???
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|This will bomb for the eu as no store will be carrying the product because no one says they have to sell it.
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|Wouldn't it have just been better if Microsoft had standard ways of integrating media players into the OS instead? That way it wouldn't matter in the slightest if it was WMP or MPC or (insert your favourite software) getting installed. Maybe I'm just way too idealistic...
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