As much as i dislike Microsoft's practices... seems to me these things are really stupid and behind the times. Could it be no one bought the stripped down version of Windows without the media player because its just plain stupid. Regardless of price, even if it was $5.00 cheaper, whats the point. I'd still buy the full version cause it has a media player that i don't have to go buy separately and i can use it immediately. I mean .. i can immediately listen to music and not have to worry about buying something else or downloading a media player. The companies complaining cause they make mp3 or media players will just have to innovate and make it better than the windows version. They already have and some of them are really good and a lot more popular (Itunes anyone). Same goes for browsers... make a better product and I'll buy it and use it, like i do with the Firefox browser which i happen to like better.. in the mean time i think these small companies should stop whining and these dumb governments should stop getting involved with things they know absolutely nothing about. Try doing some research before you look to fine... how about asking users what they want in an operating system these days. It's like TV... if you dont like it dont watch it... or in this case... dont use it. But or download an alternative and keep on truckin'. I think that if not for MS putting these things into the operating system.. there would BE no innovation from outside sources to create a better product.

Whats funny is that... almost all of the same software is in Apples operating system and its not open either.. but i dont see anyone crying foul about that.... hmmm YET!?