zlacker

>>mfwit+(OP)
Windows is just full of hostile, anti-user patterns these days. I've considered building a windows box just to have a gaming rig multiple times over the last few years, but every time an article like this or their crusade against Chrome reminds me that Bill Gates is still the same anti-trust monster he was in the 90s.

>>frob+Z1
Dear European-Union!

How about enforcing direct control about Microsoft business? Not just another “low” fine in the ten to twenty billion range. Just stopping Microsoft, Apple, Google, Facebook and Amazon.

Enforcing AT&T to not enter any new business worked well. In consequence we got UNIX, C, open-source and documentation and finally the TCP/IP-stack of BSD, GNU and Linux. This had a positive effect for the complete computing industry and society. Reagan relaxed all rules, allowed AT&T to split up - the results were bad. No IT company had to fear any regulation afterwards, either politics didn’t want regulate or didn’t understand computing at all.

We don’t need this companies with too much power using incompatibility, vendor lock-in and storing away our data (the newest approach).

Chances for regulation Europe seem a little better? Less lobbyists and less tax money involved and people don’t believe in capitalism. Too late (10xtimes) and too little but at least they react.

>>ho_sch+nj
I’d be good with exponentially increasing fines that don’t reset after each repeat occurrence. Sort of a contempt of court sentiment.

Microsoft already lost this case twenty years ago? Repeat offenders do not get the mercy of the courts.