Microsoft calls Google out on Windows search integration claim
By Conrad Quilty-Harper 
posted June 18th 2007 1:10AM
posted June 18th 2007 1:10AM
As the two giants edge closer onto each of their respective core markets, the tension gets more pronounced: just last week Google pointed to the integration of search into Windows Vista, claiming to the Dept. of Justice that it discourages people from using other solutions (like Google's Desktop Search) and violates the company's agreement with the Government. This week, Steve Ballmer called the complaint "baseless," and said that the company is in complete compliance with the agreements it has with the U.S. Government. In any case, Microsoft is fighting a losing battle, with Google able to use the DOJ as a router for its claims, and Microsoft then forced to defend itself on two fronts. Maybe it might be a good time for Microsoft to consider a policy of opening its platforms a little bit: it's not like the opponent (this time around) is going to go away anytime soon.
look at that evil monster ballmer. looks like he's plotting to burn down an orphanage or something.
LOL!!!!!!!!!!
SET COURSE FOR the KLINGON HOMEWORLD!
ENGAGE!
I don't get it.. Apple has had search built into their OS for longer yet once Microsoft does it suddenly they are in the wrong.. if MS hadn't done it they would've been criticized for lacking that feature.
Let's review the algorithm.
Microsoft = evil, produced by Satans minions. Must sue for everything
Apple = made of harvested sunshine. Must praise for everything
that happens when you have a +90% of the market. in bizzaro world, apple would be in the hot seat and windows fanboys would be smug. :D
Apple Fan boys:
Why don't you ask your God Steve Jobs (since he really cares about us) to release OSX for generic PCs, and then you can talk sh** about windows.
There are no other serious Operating Systems for the average dumb user.
Wait.. MS has had a search feature in the OS for a long time.. Thats not the problem..
Google's issue is the Microsoft made one that works good for once.. And I really feel that Google is still a lil bitter that Microsoft didn't work with them in the end to integrate Google into Windows.. If I remember correctly, they were talking bout that at one time, weren't they?
Google is too busy being bitch slapped by Ebay right now.
Maybe you writers can do a bit of fact-checking before posting flamebait?
There's nothing to open up. If you want to use Google search on your PC instead of Vista's built-in search, you can simply turn off indexing and install the Google crap on your PC.
And in any case, Vista's search blows away Google's search.
Oh wait, I forgot, you people hate Micro$oft LOLOLOL.
But there are so many reasons to hate them...
Yep, yes we do. ;-)
'Nuff said.
I'd second that. Windows LiveSearch is way better for searching images than Google Image Search, which became worse off after Google did an algorithm change, a while back.
As an apple enthhusiast, even I have to admit that Bill Gates has done a lot of good for the world. Steve Ballmer on the other hand is a worthless idiot who is only a billionare because of Harvard University's roommate selection process.
It's not like he helped build the company into a multi billion dollar business or anything.
This is just stupid. "opening its platforms a little bit" you should be able to include system search as a feature of your OS with out having to offer every crap piece of software out there a chance to bog down a system. Where is the suit against apple that has been doing the same thing only worse for years. Where are the law suits complaining that the 20 or so apps that come installed on a Mac inhibit competition. It's an unfair standard applied unjustly. You want people to install your desktop search app MAKE IT BETTER. Google desktop is an ugly bloated app that I would never install.
The essential problem is that when you buy a Mac you are buying hardware AND their OS. When you buy a PC you are buying a computing platform from one company and getting your software from another. Why should you have to be subservient to your software when you PC is capable of doing better things?
I haven't used Vista (and I won't) but if the claim is that you can turn off this MS search thing I suppose my above statements don't apply. But I bet you can't uninstall the MS live search thingy, which is just as bad as not being able to uninstall Explorer in Win 95.
In Vista you can disable the search (not uninstall) and there is no real problem installing google desktop. But when you buy Vista your buying an OS just like the OS your forced to use if you buy a Mac. Why should OSX have an integrated search that cannot be removed or disabled (from what I know) and Vista should have to follow different rules. And Vista's search has nothing to do with live. The live search is integrated into IE7 and you can install any search provider in there. I really don't think google has much of a case at all and I'm disappointed to see them using an anti trust case. And for the record I think the whole IE in 95 thing was a joke. There was nothing ever preventing someone from installing a alternative browser. It's ridiculous to ask a OS to limit features because you want to a share of the market. Firefox has had no trouble gaining ground on IE and it has had nothing to do with being able to uninstall IE. It's was a better app and therefore it gained a user base. You want true competition spend your money making your app better and leave the lawyers alone.
Well, Spotlight was a Macintosh thing, and Google Desktop wasn't. So there wasn't any competition at the time for Apple.
I would like to remind everyone that it is our patriotic duty to support American companies. Remember, If everyone in America treated Sony like people in Japan treat Microsoft, the world would be a different place. Seems the only people who get upset with Microsoft and the like are pinko commie socialist utopianistic blowhards that have more time than a 9yr old on summer break.
you have no patriotic duty to american companies, you have a patriotic duty to your country, nothing else.
perhaps if you're concerned about job losses due to foreign encroachment, you should just build a big fence around your country and block all foreign imports, that should protect your big businesses adequately.
Are you refering to these same companies who use to *move* their work forces
to developping countries ?
Oh, and btw, not everyone in here is from the US...
I hate Google desktop search, and I love Vista's search. Nice try Google. Why don't you try sneaking your desktop search in with a million other installers like you do with google toolbar?
Oh Lord, help us. Searching was built into XP and Google wasn't complaining.
Searching is an integral part of any OS since computers had anything more than dip switches, may I say GREP???
I love Google as a search engine, but if another piece of software comes with google this and google that I'll start reconsidering.
MS makes the OS, Google makes the Internet search engine, leave each other alone.
Go to your rooms and write an essay why you need to play nice with each other :-)
It's like raising kids for crying out loud....
Okay, let's review the actual algorithm:
Microsoft = convicted monopolist => consumers need protection because monopolists can force outcomes suboptimal to the consumer
Apple = small-time niche player, completely irrelevant to this discussion
If DOJ had any balls at all, we wouldn't be having this problem. Their job is to protect me, the consumer, from identified monopolists. They are SUPPOSED to make life easier for Google, et al., because they are the only ones who can stand up to a monopoly.
Apple is not a monopoly. Wake me up when they have like seventy percent of the market and I'll listen to you whine then.
Bullshit!!! Live in the present.
Actually, based on the DOJ's market analysis for the case, Apple IS a monopoly. You're probably not aware, but apple was NOT even part of the market in which Microsoft was found to have a monopoly. It was ONLY operating systems running on Intel-based processors. So, if the DOJ (b4 Apple went Intel) wanted to go after Apple for their dominance fo the RISC-based PC market... the could have easily made a case.
But, that is neither here nor there. The more important point is that all OS's integrate search functionality. http://www.techliberation.com/archives/042479.php#more
Just because Microsoft is dominant in the marketplace, should the DOJ be trying to cripple the Windows OS by preventing it from keeping pace from its competitors? Sure MS has to play by different rules (and in fact the company has done much more than apple to make sure users and competitors can disable or essentially disable the integrated search features if they want) to ensure competition, but it should mean the government should tie one hand behind its back until competitors catch up. If they did, when would MS be able to start competing again? Once they were down to 60 percent marketshare, 50, 40, 30???
Consumers and ISVs benefit with MS is able to continually improve the Windows platform. It also pushes competitors to continue innovating and making their products better.
Microsoft has gone pretty far to make it easy to disable or essential
"They are SUPPOSED to make life easier for Google"
The DOJ is supposed to make life easier for a bunch of whiny billionaires who control almost twice the search engine market of their leading competitor, thats funny.
I'm really starting to hate Google right now. Search has always been apart of Windows. MS should have bought Google years ago before they went public.
As of right now, I'm changing my default search provider to Windows Live.
I dont get this whole sharade if Microsoft wants to put a search feature into there os that cant be turnd off (or what ever) then they should be allowed, also why would any body want to turn it off its a brilliant seach tool. As for Googles desktop search if it is still as power hungry as it was in xp then i dont see the point in installing it. I dont know how Apple coded OS X but can there search be turnd off if not then why doesnt Google sue Apple.
WOW Google is so dumb using DOJ just to get their way.
Isn't search a proper function of an OS? After all, you are searching the disk for files the OS manages. At least Google could file suit against both Microsoft and Apple for having integrated search functions. An why not Linux while you're at it.
Google is off-base on this one in my book. Crybabies.
all three operating systems had search capabilities before google was even founded.
I can't wait for the next version of windows. It should come out pretty soon. It's not going to take long to program because all they are going to be allowed to ship is the kernel. God forbid they include a shell, GUI, desktop environment, search, or any software that might make our experience nicer. That might create a monopoly.
Your're completly right. You can criticise MS. That's ok, but MS get's sued for including features in it's OS that everybody includes.
Apple had search and for spotlight for quite a while. You can't turn spotlight off very easily. And installing Google Desktop makes no sense on a MAC ... but you can. But nobody sues Apple for the many, many functions included in the OS.
Suing a company for things like this - and winning - is in my opinion total bullshit. They are a software company for holy somethings sake. Now other software companies sue them to forbid their software so you have to take a third party tool. I'd say: just make better software that's worse replacing the included tools.
The only thing that makes sense is not allowing them to block the installation and functions of other programs. And they have never done something like this.- An OS is only popular when there's enough software, developers ... - Maybe you can't uninstall the Internet Explorer. But you can use whatever browser you want. Period.
There's a notepad software in Windows. And there are some nice replacements for it, if you need stuff like this ... it's that easy.