Opera Continues to differ with Microsoft

[seta-san]

after calling for the boycott last post i decided to make a little program that should make it easier.

i'm including my code incase anyone else wishes to test it

#include <iostream>
#include <fstream>

using namespace std;

int main()
{
	char answer;
	cout << "Welcome to BlockOpera, the program that is going to punish the litigious annoying *******" << endl;
	cout << "This program needs administrator priviliages to run." << endl;
	cout << "If you are running Windows Vista or higher you will likely need to right-click on the program icon and choose 'Run as Administrator' for this program to work";
	cout << endl;
	cout << "Do you want to proceed to block access to opera.com? (y or n)";
	cin >> answer;
	if (answer == 'y')
	{
		ofstream myfile;
		myfile.exceptions (ifstream::failbit | ifstream::badbit);
		try{
			myfile.open ("c:/windows/system32/drivers/etc/hosts", ios::app);
			  myfile << "127.0.0.1\t opera.com\n127.0.0.1\twww.opera.com";
			  myfile.close();
		}
		catch (ifstream::failure e) {
			cout << "You could not open the file, likely because of lack of administrator privilages << endl";
		}
	}
	return 0;
}

BlockOpera.zip

[argonite]

I agree with Opera, I have talk to a few people who isn't "geekly" and I know when they see IE or the IE's logo they don't think its a browser, they think it is the internet and because they think it's the internet they don't going looking for other options.

Remember this isn't just Opera, all other browsers including Google and Mozilla has join this as well, so for all you guys who are boycotting Opera, you should be boycotting Google and Mozilla as well.

So why don't you guys think about this first, before you fanboys go off and defend your company Microsoft.

I don't think Google or Mozilla have the gall (or the utter stupidity) to request that Microsoft completely rebrand its browser. Even if it was the right thing to do, those big companies know that such an action is NOT FEASIBLE.

It's like going to Apple and saying, "we really think iPod is too associated with consumer MP3 devices, we think you should rename it to be 'Apple Generic Player 5'"

[BajiRav]

I agree with Opera, I have talk to a few people who isn't "geekly" and I know when they see IE or the IE's logo they don't think its a browser, they think it is the internet and because they think it's the internet they don't going looking for other options.

Remember this isn't just Opera, all other browsers including Google and Mozilla has join this as well, so for all you guys who are boycotting Opera, you should be boycotting Google and Mozilla as well.

So why don't you guys think about this first, before you fanboys go off and defend your company Microsoft.

Let me see...considering we are talking about users who can't tell internet different from the blue "e" logo, if we remove the logo(s) and present them with a list

- Windows Internet Explorer

- Google Chrome

- Mozilla Firefox

- Opera

which of the above the user is most likely to pick? I will wait for you to facepalm yourself when you realize how dumb this new suggestion from Opera sounds. I haven't seen Google or Mozilla's response on this (remove icon thingy) yet so not sure what you are talking about here.

[macrosslover]

I agree with Opera, I have talk to a few people who isn't "geekly" and I know when they see IE or the IE's logo they don't think its a browser, they think it is the internet and because they think it's the internet they don't going looking for other options.

Remember this isn't just Opera, all other browsers including Google and Mozilla has join this as well, so for all you guys who are boycotting Opera, you should be boycotting Google and Mozilla as well.

So why don't you guys think about this first, before you fanboys go off and defend your company Microsoft.

that's the new defense for Opera now?? but Mozilla and Google are doing it too don't forget them. I don't see google and mozilla whining like cry babies, they signed on and so far have been pretty much silent supporters letting Opera do a good job of running themselves into the ground.

[jonhapimp]

I agree with Opera, I have talk to a few people who isn't "geekly" and I know when they see IE or the IE's logo they don't think its a browser, they think it is the internet and because they think it's the internet they don't going looking for other options.

Remember this isn't just Opera, all other browsers including Google and Mozilla has join this as well, so for all you guys who are boycotting Opera, you should be boycotting Google and Mozilla as well.

So why don't you guys think about this first, before you fanboys go off and defend your company Microsoft.

not really Opera started this and they didn't, firefox and google would do anything,why because there doing great and don't have to get as low as suing microsoft

[9UnknownMen]

Remember this isn't just Opera, all other browsers including Google and Mozilla has join this as well, so for all you guys who are boycotting Opera, you should be boycotting Google and Mozilla as well.

So why don't you guys think about this first, before you fanboys go off and defend your company Microsoft.

Read

This thread is about Opera's CEO comments not the EU action against MS in general. If Schmidt or Lilly bitches about how MS incorporates icons into what already amounts to a huge concession, let me know.

[Boz]

not really Opera started this and they didn't, firefox and google would do anything,why because there doing great and don't have to get as low as suing microsoft

Not only they are doing great but Firefox now actually has larger marketshare.. If people really associated IE logo with internet this wouldn't be the case. Simple.

Even Safari and Chrome who are fairly new browsers simply raped Opera's market share..

All this shows that Opera simply isn't capable to compete in the fair market and have to resort with completely retarded actions like this.

And after whole hoopla, people still won't get their browser because if they are not using IE they will most likely use Firefox or Google Chrome because most people actually considers Google to be a browser. Majority of people actually think that browser is a search engine. Only 8% know what a browser is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4MwTvtyrUQ.swf

[Denis W. Veteran]

Okay now... blocking scripts? Additions to the hosts file? Come on people... you don't fight ridiculousness with ridiculousness.

[BinaryFragger]

I agree with Opera, I have talk to a few people who isn't "geekly" and I know when they see IE or the IE's logo they don't think its a browser, they think it is the internet and because they think it's the internet they don't going looking for other options.

Remember this isn't just Opera, all other browsers including Google and Mozilla has join this as well, so for all you guys who are boycotting Opera, you should be boycotting Google and Mozilla as well.

So why don't you guys think about this first, before you fanboys go off and defend your company Microsoft.

I know people who think they have to use iTunes to manage their iPods, or who think Norton is the only antivirus app available.

I don't see the problem, as sometimes an application can become so popular, the alternatives remain relatively-unknown.

[Pupik]

Okay now... blocking scripts? Additions to the hosts file? Come on people... you don't fight ridiculousness with ridiculousness.

I didn't went that far. I just filtered it using opendns in my entire network, just in case someone will click a hotlink to Opera's site by mistake or get redirected to it.

[HighwayGlider]

Well, Opera user here, but I think they are going a bit too far with the proposals.

[zhangm Supervisor]

I suppose after the EU agrees to this, the next demand will be that Microsoft strip the word Internet out of IE.

[Pupik]

I suppose after the EU agrees to this, the next demand will be that Microsoft strip the word Internet out of IE.

If that will happen, they'll have to rename it. Explorer is already taken in the OS by the file manager.

[primexx]

If that will happen, they'll have to rename it. Explorer is already taken in the OS by the file manager.

you don't have to rename the executable, WLM is still msnmsgr.exe

[zhangm Supervisor]

If that will happen, they'll have to rename it. Explorer is already taken in the OS by the file manager.

Make way for Microsoft Web Explorer!

[.Neo]

Microsoft Windows Live Web Explorer.

[dead.cell]

I'm telling you guys, they'll never be happy.

[CuCumber]

Maybe Microsoft should just ditch their browser. It has just given us headaches.

[Jerry Grey Member]

...

Users never got the chance to choose, because Microsoft used it's monopoly it has on the OS market to force IE on anyone who used Windows and even Mac (in 1997, see the first browser war). Users should have a chance choose which browser they want, based on features, speed or whatever browser was cool at the time, and if they choose IE that's fine at least they was given a choice.

You guys can't deny Microsoft is using it OS market share to force the users to use IE. Microsoft knew what they was doing from the start they trick the users of Windows in thinking "Internet Explorer" was the only way to get on to the internet and it worked.

Microsoft should remove IE from their OS and replace it with a screen to explain what is a browser and give the user the chance to choose what browser they what to install and the whole "you can't download other browser without IE" argument is crap since Microsoft can quickly build a "browser installer" using FTP (yea, remember FTP?) since FTP is included with Windows already.

Once users are told what a browser is and told there is a choice out there they will start comparing browsers and choose the right one for them.

[Kyang]

Gah, where will it stop. WMP? Notepad?

[cybertimber2008]

Users never got the chance to choose, because Microsoft used it's monopoly it has on the OS market to force IE on anyone who used Windows and even Mac (in 1997, see the first browser war). <snip>

So are you saying to BLAME them? Truer words never spoken Gerry.

Dear Microsoft,

I blame you for bringing the internet to millions. For providing me a wider audience to my web development creations, for helping create AXAX from XMLHttpRequest (a non W3C standard, IE proprietary), and most importantly, giving me a Web 2.0, 3D virtual world job at a university as a student. I blame you for giving me a future in computer networking and security degrees in hopes that I will have to fix up all the crap you created because you saw what was probably the right idea in bundiling a browser for the less technical to connect to the internet, providing SOME alternative to the ever so crappy AOL CD's that came with everthing down to the McDonalds Happy Meal. And even though I chose Netscape 'back in the day' over IE, you really should have made a closed software/hardware OS to prevent that and really take on the world, both real and virtual.

How dare you Microsoft! :laugh:

------------------------------------------------------

Never had a chance to choose... please. They still allowed Netscape to install didn't they? Things haven't changed since then either! They still allow Firefox, Opera, Safari, Chrome to all install don't they? And WinAMP? VLC? XBMC? MediaPortal? Nothing stops them from running. No random update to the OS breaks them (intentionally).

The world isn't ready for no-default install, make a choice only setup. They need both. Something there, and many something to choose from if they know what they are doing.

If Microsoft was Michael Jackson, would it have to DIE for people to see what it created?

Edited July 29, 2009 by cybertimber2008

[Gio Takahashi]

For the longest time, Internet explorer has been easily the most recognized browser, since it's really the only choice people could go with. Netscape wasn't that great until Firefox (firebird then) came out.

I really strongly support the idea that people can choose the browser, not just in Europe, but anywhere, regardless of the locations. Mostly among the computer illiterate (calling them dumbass or whatever is just unfair), they will go with internet explorer because know what Internet explorer is. Not because of the icon, or what it says, it's just very recognized as IE has been around much longer than any other popular browsers.

People should also be made aware (and I hope the Browser ballot will say this) that you can have multiple browsers installed.

[Subject Delta]

i would like to start a campaign.

I'm calling for everyone to localhost in their host file and in every host file they can access.

opera.com

www.opera.com

Hey if we are going to call on people to get involved in pointless campaigns, can I start a campaign asking everyone to use their hosts file to redirect google.com to my server full of horse pr0n? I mean google must be evil too right, they have a monopoly on the search market?

yes that was sarcasm, I don't have a server full of horse pr0n

after calling for the boycott last post i decided to make a little program that should make it easier.

i'm including my code incase anyone else wishes to test it

#include <iostream>
#include <fstream>

using namespace std;

int main()
{
	char answer;
	cout << "Welcome to BlockOpera, the program that is going to punish the litigious annoying *******" << endl;
	cout << "This program needs administrator priviliages to run." << endl;
	cout << "If you are running Windows Vista or higher you will likely need to right-click on the program icon and choose 'Run as Administrator' for this program to work";
	cout << endl;
	cout << "Do you want to proceed to block access to opera.com? (y or n)";
	cin >> answer;
	if (answer == 'y')
	{
		ofstream myfile;
		myfile.exceptions (ifstream::failbit | ifstream::badbit);
		try{
			myfile.open ("c:/windows/system32/drivers/etc/hosts", ios::app);
			  myfile << "127.0.0.1\t opera.com\n127.0.0.1\twww.opera.com";
			  myfile.close();
		}
		catch (ifstream::failure e) {
			cout << "You could not open the file, likely because of lack of administrator privilages << endl";
		}
	}
	return 0;
}

Wow. you have WAY too much free time on your hands

Not only they are doing great but Firefox now actually has larger marketshare.. If people really associated IE logo with internet this wouldn't be the case. Simple.

Not true, IE actually still has the biggest market share at the moment.

Oh and could you guys please host all your anti-opera banners on the same server so I don't have to keep content blocking them individually? thanks :laugh:

[sanctified Veteran]

So are you saying to BLAME them? Truer words never spoken Gerry.

Dear Microsoft,

I blame you for bringing the internet to millions. For providing me a wider audience to my web development creations, for helping create AXAX from XMLHttpRequest (a non W3C standard, IE proprietary), and most importantly, giving me a Web 2.0, 3D virtual world job at a university as a student. I blame you for giving me a future in computer networking and security degrees in hopes that I will have to fix up all the crap you created because you saw what was probably the right idea in bundiling a browser for the less technical to connect to the internet, providing SOME alternative to the ever so crappy AOL CD's that came with everthing down to the McDonalds Happy Meal. And even though I chose Netscape 'back in the day' over IE, you really should have made a closed software/hardware OS to prevent that and really take on the world, both real and virtual.

How dare you Microsoft! :laugh:

------------------------------------------------------

Never had a chance to choose... please. They still allowed Netscape to install didn't they? Things haven't changed since then either! They still allow Firefox, Opera, Safari, Chrome to all install don't they? And WinAMP? VLC? XBMC? MediaPortal? Nothing stops them from running. No random update to the OS breaks them (intentionally).

The world isn't ready for no-default install, make a choice only setup. They need both. Something there, and many something to choose from if they know what they are doing.

If Microsoft was Michael Jackson, would it have to DIE for people to see what it created?

I take you are very young to remember the IE 4 fiasco, right?

[BajiRav]

Users never got the chance to choose, because Microsoft used it's monopoly it has on the OS market to force IE on anyone who used Windows and even Mac (in 1997, see the first browser war). Users should have a chance choose which browser they want, based on features, speed or whatever browser was cool at the time, and if they choose IE that's fine at least they was given a choice.

You guys can't deny Microsoft is using it OS market share to force the users to use IE. Microsoft knew what they was doing from the start they trick the users of Windows in thinking "Internet Explorer" was the only way to get on to the internet and it worked.

Microsoft should remove IE from their OS and replace it with a screen to explain what is a browser and give the user the chance to choose what browser they what to install and the whole "you can't download other browser without IE" argument is crap since Microsoft can quickly build a "browser installer" using FTP (yea, remember FTP?) since FTP is included with Windows already.

Once users are told what a browser is and told there is a choice out there they will start comparing browsers and choose the right one for them.

- Microsoft used Windows monopoly to force IE on Mac??? :blink: (AFAIK they made a deal with Apple for it, nothing illegal there)

- I have be around long enough to remember the browser war and Netscape had every reason to sink and die.

- It is true that Microsoft used Windows marketshare/"monopoly" to promote IE. But at no point of time I remember them forcing me to use IE. Not on Windows 95, 98 and even 3.11 :laugh:

- Microsoft offered to remove IE but EU/Opera did not agree. Why should they bear the cost so that Opera and others can get their browser can get on to people's PCs? That is just plain dumb.

- Using bundled FTP? will Opera like that? I am sure their bloat of a browser has FTP client bolted somewhere. How long before they complain about ftp?

- Users don't give a **** about what browsers are. They just want to use the internetz.

- How about Opera providing a ballot screen when Nintendo Wii boots for the first time? I believe it is the default and only browser on Wii, I may be wrong though ;)

Many people siding with Opera seem to have a personal vendetta against Microsoft for their "criminal monopolist behavior", why don't you guys walk the talk and throw every ****ing Microsoft software off your PCs? I mean if it is that big of matter of punishing a "criminal monopolist" then there is nothing better than to vote with your wallet and use alternate OSs/platforms.