On Wednesday, Microsoft announced that they will be following 12 main principles when developing the Windows desktop platform. Based around three main areas, these principles all focus on choice, opportunities and interoperability. Mainly, this appears to be about things that Microsoft learned in their well-known antitrust battle with the government. Microsoft now claim that they have “learned the importance of humility”. Hmmm.
So, what exactly are these principles? Well, here's an example:
“No. 5 is business terms: Microsoft will not retaliate against any computer manufacturer that supports non-Microsoft software, [senior Vice President Brad] Smith said. To provide transparency on this point, Microsoft will post a standard volume-based price list to a Web site that is accessible to computer manufacturers, as it has under the U.S. antitrust ruling, he said.”
Other principles mention APIs, Internet services and open Internet access.
It all sounds very good. Of course, it would be even more impressive if they hadn't been forced into most of them. It also remains to be seen whether or not this will satisfy the European Union, who have been a tough critic of Microsoft when it comes to competition regulations.
Microsoft Establishes 12 Principles for Windows Development
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