Microsoft bundling & OEMs

It’s pretty bullshit. Just picked up a new laptop with Vista Home Premium pre-installed. First impressions: grim. I’m at the screen where it prompts you to accept the licencing terms to use the laptop. Funny thing is, you can’t do anything but accept them. It’s either: accept and use the computer, or, just sit staring at the screen. There isn’t an option of, “No, I do not accept, please uninstall Windows from my PC” like you’d have if you didn’t accept the EULA of a particular piece of software.

Of course, if Microsoft included that option, they might find their market share dented somewhat. Which is exactly why they don’t include it. I’m going to format and put XP on it anyway, but that’s not the point. Non-technical users should be given a choice. 99% of the time they’ll hit “yes” without a second thought (without any thought at all for some), but that other one percent, maybe they’ll wise up…