Microsoft says Google’s Vista complaint is "baseless"
A number of companies have nothing good to say about Microsoft, whether it is based in fact or in fiction. On Friday, Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer said that Google’s complaint over the built-in search function of Vista, is “baseless.â€
Google filed a complaint with the Department of Justice saying that Vista’s built-in search function discourages the use of other competing desktop search tools, in this case, Google Desktop Search.
Microsoft says that this doesn’t matter because it is complying with a 2002 anti-trust settlement, but it appears that that settlement didn’t say anything about desktop search software.
Google’s argument is that Vista’s built-in search violates an agreement Microsoft has with the government that monitors its behavior to discourage monopolistic practices against competing companies.
Computer World quoted Steve Ballmer as saying, “We continue to comply with the consent decree we signed with the U.S. government in recognition to the findings around our position with Windows and we think all claims to the contrary are baseless.â€
The Google Desktop brings several other features to the table such as Widgets (also available in Vista), RSS feeds on your desktop, and a note jotter.
In my opinion, this is a good reason to avoid Google Desktop; all a desktop search should do is search the desktop, unless you just absolutely love the extra features that come with it.
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June 18th, 2007
For once I agree with the ending comment, although I also agree that Vista basically comes with Windows Live Search built-in, which, regardless of how good it is (and it is, in fact, very good and effective), that gives a somewhat unfair advantage to Microsoft, as it discourages some people of using third-party products of the same kind.
June 19th, 2007
next companies will be crying about notepad. “it’s unfair that there’s a text editor built-in to vista and that makes our sales go down!!”. wrong. trust me, i don’t like microsoft more than the next guy, but if your software really is worth it’s price, then there’s nothing to worry about. stop abusing our judicial system with stupid lawsuits.