MSN Shutting Out Non-MS Browsers
from the evil-empire-at-work? dept
It seems that Microsoft has a special talent for doing things that stink of monopoly practices. They don't even try to hide it any more. The latest is that they're apparently blocking access to MSN.com unless you come in using IE. Since I don't use MSN.com at all, this isn't such a big deal to me, but it seems like a very silly way to force people to upgrade their browsers to the "approved" version. All it does is anger people who were doing just fine with whatever browser they chose until Microsoft came along and decided it wasn't good enough. Update: Following the outrage from many people Microsoft has decided to open up MSN.com viewing to other browsers, though they warn the experience won't be as good. Oh, darn. Update again: Okay, Microsoft lied. They're still not letting in many non-IE browsers.
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
No Subject Given
Microsoft gets the idea that the newer version of
runs faster. Its still slow, but now it is even
more annoying to look at. Also, it appears to have
been changed from "MSN" to a pimp site for Windows XP
MLO
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
No Subject Given
tell Microsoft to knock it off with the FisherPrice color scheme??
We are not a bunch of third-graders
MLO
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
NetScape
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
they may have a point
MSN is a free service, and MS are not a charity so there's no reason to expect them to offer a service free of charge to just everyone. If the 'entrance fee' is to use IE rather than another browser then that seems fair. You pay your money (or not), your take your choice.
Personally I think that this is a valid enough action on their part, but it might have been executed in an undiplomatic way.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Mozilla
[ link to this | view in chronology ]