Windows Vista N editions

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PaulFXH

Hi
I understand that European users of Windows Vista must settle for the N
editions which, for anti-trust reasons, will "not include WMP nor other
media-related functionality".
However, can I assume that European users will still be able to
download WMP 10 (and its future updates) from the MS download site if
they so choose, or not?
Also, can anybody explain to me what "other media related
functionality" means?
TIA
Paul
 
You don't have to. It's an option.
There's already a Windows XP version available without WMP.
But almost nobody (obviously) buys it.
 
Ralf
Thanks for your reply.
Are you really saying that in Europe there will be two versions of
Windows Vista (Home or Home Premium or whatever) available. One being
the N edition and the other being the version available in the USA?
I'm flabbergasted.
Does this really serve any useful (I mean non-political) purpose?
Paul
 
PaulFXH said:
Ralf
Thanks for your reply.
Are you really saying that in Europe there will be two versions of
Windows Vista (Home or Home Premium or whatever) available. One being
the N edition and the other being the version available in the USA?
Yep.

I'm flabbergasted.
Click to expand...

I'm not.
Does this really serve any useful (I mean non-political) purpose?
Paul
Click to expand...

No.

Heh.

Alias
 
PaulFXH said:
Thanks for your reply.
Are you really saying that in Europe there will be two versions of
Windows Vista (Home or Home Premium or whatever) available. One
being the N edition and the other being the version available in
the USA? I'm flabbergasted.
Does this really serve any useful (I mean non-political) purpose?
Click to expand...

Looks like there will be MANY versions available - including the "N"
versions to double the number in Europe.

I wouldn't be flabbergasted - I'm relatively sure the settlement does not
prohibit the sale of the OS with the components the rest of the world lives
with, it just requires that the components be optional to purchase/install.

Useful purpose?
Do you mean the removal of these products from the OS?

Other than proving a point - not really. I mean - I guess it's nice that
now you aren't getting a forced component in an OS that you voluntarily
purchased and continued to use, given that you have tons of other choices of
OSes and systems and applications to use anyway, but well - I guess that
says it all. Now you are voluntarily purchasing and using a product without
those certaion components..
 
Hey! The EU Commission cause this situation.
--


Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!
 
its stupid... Linux has many media players and Macs have a media player..
why dont they let windows have a media player...

Its disgusting!
 
I have recently become aware that there are accessibility issues
associated with websites.

In my opinion there could be good grounds for Microsoft to request the
European whatever that insisted upon such a lack of functionality in
Vista to revisit the decision based on it limits accessibility to wider
audiences and users.

Also in my opinion it would be reasonable to allow a website to host
sound file equivalents (dare one say MP3?) of onscreen information
should web designers believe it to be in the best interests of achieving
full accessibility standards.

I am sure most users would prefer the grunts and groans of a real human
voice than the equivalent of synthesized speech from text.

These are my own opinions. If inclusion of WMP within the Vista
operating system were demonstrable in achieving fuller participation I
cannot see why the European whatever should stick to it's decision.

If my understanding is correct (and I may be mistaken) it is an
appalling decision limiting full and meaningful participation to wider
audiences that may need such extra facilities in order to fully
participate in whatever computational interests people may have.

Should we start a petition?
 
Deebs
If I understand the situation correctly, the "appalling decision" to
which you refer will, in reality, be quite inaffectual in "limiting
full and meaningful participation to wider
audiences" given that the FULL version of Windows Vista (Home or
whatever) will be available anyway.
It seems that only those who are positively conscience-driven to
strictly adhere to the spirit of the EU's anti-trust policies will feel
inclined to purchase the watered-down N editions. But I don't believe
you would run out of fingers and toes in counting them.
While I applaud your desire to set right what could otherwise be a
rather ridiculous situation, it seems your suggestion to launch a
petition is probably unnecessary given that what a petition would at
best achieve (availability of the FULL version of Vista) has already
been decided.
Paul
 
Good.

Sometimes the expended effort in things like this isn't really worth it
in practical and pragmatic terms. On the other hand I am quite appalled
at the influence the unwise exert upon pure professionalism (I'd rather
not elaborate)
 
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