MICROSOFT ANNOUCES 3 PART SERMON

Microsoft has announced "Windows Principles" that include twelve tenets. Apparently this is to encourage competition.

I will breifly state the points below, if you need clarification please click on the title above:

PRINCIPLE I: CHOICE FOR COMPUTER MANUFACTURERS AND CUSTOMERS

1. Installation of any software
2. Easy access.
3. Defaults.
4. Exclusive promotion of non-Microsoft programs.
5. Business terms.

PRINCIPLE II: OPPORTUITIES FOR DEVELOPERS

6. APIs.
7. Internet services.
8. Open internet access.
9. No exclusivity.

PRINCIPLE III: INTEROPERABILITY FOR USERS

10. Communications protocols.
11. Availability of Microsoft patents.
12. Standards.

[all of the above was a direct quote from the statement you can view by clicking on the title]

There are just a few points that I would like to turn on then I will let you all go home. If you could turn to "Principle I", chapter three (Defaults), I would like to point out some interesting facts about the new way Windows is going to work. Microsoft is stating here that Windows will no longer default to any if it's pre-installed programs such as Internet Explorer or Outlook Express (whether or not then decide to include Outlook Express in the new version I don't know). Now that's nothing new to what is happening now however this opens up the topic of whether or not Microsoft is still going to require you to use Internet Explorer for certain things.

Now if you could turn with me to "Principle II" chapter seven (Internet services). There is also something here to point out as well. Microsoft is clearly stating that Windows Live services will with come bundled with your computer that you buy or not. It sounds like you have the option somehow during the first boot I would imagine. Basically they are not forcing their software on you and that is a big thing. However, I have to say the Windows Live services are pretty good and I would still suggest to anyone to check them out.

My last point I would like to tell you about is in "Principle III" chapter ten (Communications protocols). Microsoft states here that all of ot proprietary communication protocols will be made available to anyone who is willing to purchase the documentation from them. However they're obviously still working on the documentation because the point states, "Microsoft will document protocols supported in Windows as part of the product design process".

In any case It seems that Microsoft is trying to move away from it's big bully character and try to become a little more friendly with everyone. It looks like they'll be doing a little open source work as well which is great. They're also going to try to get Windows to interoperate with "others" in the industry (ad hoc style0. What does that mean? I'll give a little push to Microsoft trying to work with another computer and operating system company with a fruit as its logo and leave it at that.

That concludes the sermon. Leave in Peace.