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Open Letter to Microsoft’s CEO: Don’t Roll Back the Clock on Choice and Control

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Re: Open Letter to Microsoft’s CEO: Don’t Roll Back the Clock on Choice and Control

#21

Post by BinaryIdiot »

com2kid wrote: post #16

I just installed IE, I clicked on a URL in an email, I was asked which browser I wanted to use. IE was on top, but I do not remember what my previous default was. I was however asked to choose. I am not sure what other user experiences exist around this.

When I upgraded my default changed from Chrome to Edge. When I clicked on my first URL, also in an email, it did not give me any choices which was kinda frustrating. Opening Chrome also didn't give me the whole "Chrome is not your default; do you want it to be?" dialog.

Re: Open Letter to Microsoft’s CEO: Don’t Roll Back the Clock on Choice and Control

#23

Post by dragonwriter »

slg wrote: post #2

Am I reading this right that the problem is that during an OS upgrade the default browser is reset back to the default OS settings? While that is certainly an inconvenience, I find it hard to really expect an OS upgrade to carry over every user setting. Isn't all the user has to do after the upgrade is open Firefox (which is still installed) and click yes to "make this default" question?

> Am I reading this right that the problem is that during an OS upgrade the default browser is reset back to the default OS settings?

No, while that's part of the problem, the main problem is that the facility for changing the setting has been made less convenient, takes more steps, and is more cumbersome, which is clearly a design choice focused on frustrating those who attempt to switch and discouraging switching.

Re: Open Letter to Microsoft’s CEO: Don’t Roll Back the Clock on Choice and Control

#24

Post by solidangle »

It's absurd that you have to press on a button called 'Customize' (which is really scary sounding for non-experts) to get any privacy in Windows 10. If users are brave enough to press this button they get a list of nondescript options that barely explain what kind of data is sent to Microsoft.

Microsoft should show always show all the privacy options to users and they should explain the pros and cons for each setting. Explain them that Cortana won't work anymore if they don't enable something, but also explain them that the NSA will be getting all their keystrokes if they do enable it.

Here in Europe we are not protected by US law against the NSA (although there seem to be all sorts of loop holes in the US too), so we should expect here that all the data that Microsoft collects is directly sent to the NSA. It's unacceptable that they offer a one click 'share everything with the NSA'-button when there is no matching 'keep all my data private'-button.

But the absolute worst thing ever is that they seem to throw away old settings after some updates. So even when I make sure that my parents computers are properly protected against Microsoft or even the NSA spying on them, I still can't expect that they will stay that way in the future.

Re: Open Letter to Microsoft’s CEO: Don’t Roll Back the Clock on Choice and Control

#25

Post by slg »

irq-1 wrote: post #13
slg wrote: post #2

Am I reading this right that the problem is that during an OS upgrade the default browser is reset back to the default OS settings? While that is certainly an inconvenience, I find it hard to really expect an OS upgrade to carry over every user setting. Isn't all the user has to do after the upgrade is open Firefox (which is still installed) and click yes to "make this default" question?

Maybe you don't remember what a huge deal it was that Microsoft leveraged its desktop monopoly to gain market share for its internet browser. Bill Gates declaring that the browser is 'part of the OS' and can't be removed. The anti-trust trial in the US, the changes demanded by the EU... The "Default Programs" control has very few settings; very few settings that need to be imported, but somehow Microsoft ignored the…

That issue has been perverted over the years. Even though the punishment was providing other possible defaults, the initial problem wasn't really about the system default. It was that IE was ingrained in Windows as part of the system. That prevented other browser from competing on an even playing field.

Re: Open Letter to Microsoft’s CEO: Don’t Roll Back the Clock on Choice and Control

#26

Post by wvenable »

balls187 wrote: post #7
slg wrote: post #2

Am I reading this right that the problem is that during an OS upgrade the default browser is reset back to the default OS settings? While that is certainly an inconvenience, I find it hard to really expect an OS upgrade to carry over every user setting. Isn't all the user has to do after the upgrade is open Firefox (which is still installed) and click yes to "make this default" question?

> I find it hard to really expect an OS upgrade to carry over every user setting True. However that default browser/file extension handlers preferences should be a priority to carry forward. It may be easy to set your new default browser, but it's one more thing I have to do to personalize my computer, instead of using my computer to do the tasks at hand. It's a fundamental difference between MSFT and AAPL's philosph…

You can upgrade from every version of Windows and it'll still preserve many user settings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOzkNtnaS04

So there clearly isn't a difference in philosophy. In fact, Apple is far more ready to make your past software investment invalid.

Re: Open Letter to Microsoft’s CEO: Don’t Roll Back the Clock on Choice and Control

#29

Post by DanBC »

solidangle wrote: post #24

It's absurd that you have to press on a button called 'Customize' (which is really scary sounding for non-experts) to get any privacy in Windows 10. If users are brave enough to press this button they get a list of nondescript options that barely explain what kind of data is sent to Microsoft. Microsoft should show always show all the privacy options to users and they should explain the pros and cons for each setting…

To be fair if your attacker is the NSA you're fucked no matter what MS does.

Most people need better security to protect them from the US companies slurping all their data.

Re: Open Letter to Microsoft’s CEO: Don’t Roll Back the Clock on Choice and Control

#30

Post by balls187 »

wvenable wrote: post #26
balls187 wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I find it hard to really expect an OS upgrade to carry over every user setting True. However that default browser/file extension handlers preferences should be a priority to carry forward. It may be easy to set your new default browser, but it's one more thing I have to do to personalize my computer, instead of using my computer to do the tasks at hand. It's a fundamental difference between MSFT and AAPL's philosph…

You can upgrade from every version of Windows and it'll still preserve many user settings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOzkNtnaS04 So there clearly isn't a difference in philosophy. In fact, Apple is far more ready to make your past software investment invalid.

Well, except not with Window 10, and for the browser--a keyy application for most people. You now have to go and mess with it before you can get on with your day.
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