Microsoft, EU Are Said to Modify Deal in Browser Case

Bloomberg:

Under the modified settlement, computer users with Windows will see a “ballot screen” that randomly lists the top five Web browsers that compete with Internet Explorer, the people said. Users would then click on a browser’s icon and the program would be downloaded from the Internet.

There’ve been complaints about the proposed order of the browsers on this “ballot” screen ever since this proposal got underway, and understandably so. Everyone wants their browser listed first. I don’t know that this entire “default browser ballot” proposal is a good idea in the first place, but randomizing the order is the only fair way to do it.

★ Monday, 7 December 2009