Windows without Internet Explorer (PCGH-Retro, December 11)

…1997: Microsoft is using its dominant position in the market for operating systems to squeeze out its competitor Netscape with its integrated browser – at least that’s the allegation in the current antitrust lawsuit. On December 11, 1997, Judge Thomas Jackson ordered Microsoft to offer PC manufacturers a version of Windows 95 without Internet Explorer. The company protests: it is impossible to remove IE from the system; Windows won’t boot if that integral part is removed, Vice President Brad Chase told the court. Shortly thereafter, programs circulating on the Internet that completely delete the browser show that this is not true. Years later, history repeats itself: the EU forces Microsoft to let Windows 7 buyers choose their default browser; The update function should give the customer the opportunity to opt for a competing program instead of Internet Explorer.

…2000: The chipset and graphics card manufacturer Silicon Integrated System is presenting its latest achievements on this day. In addition to the Sis 635/735 for Pentium 3 and Athlon, there is also a SiS 315 GPU that, like the chipsets, can only keep up in the entry-level range.

…2004: The traditional manufacturer Matrox has given up the market for high-end graphics cards suitable for gaming since the last attempt – the Parhelia – could not keep up with the accelerators from Nvidia and Ati. Henceforth, Matrox is concentrating on niche solutions, such as cards with multiple outputs for professional applications. This is also shown by the latest product: on December 11, 2004, the Parhelia will be launched in a PCI Express version called Parhelia APVe with two DVI outputs.

The Mozilla Foundation also proudly announced on this day that the then outsider browser Firefox was downloaded for the ten millionth time. A few years later, Firefox is vying with the former top dog, Internet Explorer, for market leadership in one region of the world.

links on topic
• Details of browser choice in Windows 7
• Firefox overtakes Internet Explorer in Germany