How to download a web browser in Windows 7 E (which doesn't come with its own browser)

Instructions: -Buy the October 2009 edition of Sore and Hard Done By EU Computer Users of Briton Magazine .. the one with the CD ROM attached to a pocket on the back page. -Insert into CD/DVD Drive. -Run IE 8's setup.exe file.

@Saucy That wouldn't make any sense if I didn't know who robertsjoe was (i.e. a Mac fanboy), but since I do, I laughed. And laughed. And laughed some more.

kent909: Because in the EU nobody gives a s**t about Apple.

Paul wrote “Read the original post for the full details, of course. Good stuff.” HA, HA and you guys call yourself geeks ???? Embarrassment! I’ll attempt to gently walk you through some simple steps... Press and hold down the windows key on your keyboard while simultaneously depressing the letter E This will bring up Windows Explores that is the windows file system manager. Now type www dot Google dot com ... I mean www dot Bing dot com. Next step - type “internet browser.” Several million page hits should come back. Some browsers I recommend: http://kmeleon.sourceforge.net an excellent Firefox derivative only faster in everyway that matter. http://www.avantbrowser.com an exceptional IE derivative http://www.ioage.com/twen/?op=en another IE derivative only far superior than anything MS could conceive of. http://stadt-bremerhaven.de/download-manager.php?id=169 Google Chrome Portable v.2.0.172.33 Naturally, all are FREE but for Mike we’ll charge a M$ special assessment fee so as not to offend his turbo capitalists’ ideals.

Earlier, I did try Safari in a spare XP VM. It's fast and simple for users, which would appeal to them. But that's just saying it's competent, nothing more. It's still useful for web designers who need to check their pages render correctly on different setups. As a general browser? Not really.

Balthazar9, you fool. Since IE7 on XP (and since Vista came out), Windows Explorer no longer uses the engine that powers IE. If you type in the URL into the address bar it simply launches the default browser (which there isn't any). But then you'd know that, if you actually had Windows.

People are making such a big deal about this. First of all Europe needs to grow up. If you want to use another browser than just download one...seriously. Who cares if the other one can't be uninstalled just don't use it. Second, I think for the most part this is not going to be a huge issue. I think the larger percentage of people will be upgrading along with a new machine rather than with a reinstall. That means that manufactuers are going to be able to choose what browsers to install or offer the option at purchase. What happens when HP or Dell only offer IE and not their precious Opera or FF? Take that Europe!!! Zing.

CyBtrett, Pre-orders for Windows 7 upgrades were sold out on Amazon U.K. within a week of availability. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8151342.stm This Windows cycle seems to be quite different from XP to Vista and there appears to be significant demand for Windows 7. I agree with your other observations and question whether the EC's actions are truly in the best interests of consumers within the EU. It is however, a collection of socialist democracies and their actions are consistent with that political ideology and unsurprising. The people voted long before there was a Windows - so in a very real sense, the issue of IE 8 on Windows 7 was decided before Bill Gates and Paul Allen wrote their BASIC interpreter. Soon you yourself will only be able to use your computer for personal use between the hours of 9 and 11 PM (adjusted for local time), on Wednesdays, but only if you have first unplugged your refrigerator and your blood alcohol level is below acceptable international standards. Your 1.6 gallon per flush toilet will have been fitted with a urine sampling device designed to ensure your blood sugar levels are within specified limits - so you may actually be able to sit down while using the computer - otherwise you'll have to stand and run in place. All these details are on page 1666, paragraph three, sub-section (a) of your citizens handbook and as promulgated within the 1300 unread pages of the cap and trade bill. There is additional language explaining this and the 18 euro / 23 USD, surcharge now evident on the invoice from your ISP. If you have trouble finding it, it is right under para two, artfully presented in green, which explains that before you may view web pages of your own choosing, that you must first read for fifteen minutes from among three government websites warning of the dangers of computer use and its impact on the earth. Para 1 above that provides walking directions to your nearest pub, where I am sure you will find most of your neighbors already well oiled. Walking directions to local pubs were added at the insistence of the Christian democrats and despite sharp protests from social democrats in parliament, because as they argued: “The beer is cheap (and good) and going home to one’s 400 square foot apartment and watching a 9” television that one hides in the closet when they hear that the THK wagon is on their street, does understandably suck.”

Sorry, I guess CyBrett beat me to it.

Iketchum, I like your legalease humor. One comment on the pre-sales though....someone else mentioned this, but...how can you sell out of a product that you don't even have yet? Why would Microsoft even let them sell out? They should be trying to sell as many of these things as possible before October.

CyBrett, Simple. A company sets sales goals and effects a marketing and sales strategy to get a market to respond as it desires. Microsoft wanted to actualize sales revenue now - in this quarter and at the same time energize and excite the target market. The quantity is entirely artificial, but certainly planned and tied to their revenue projections. There is a balance and several related goals: Generate revenue now Energize the market as you test the same Provide enough time and data to adjust your strategies (hence all the noise about upgrade options) Slow what would have been blunted Vista sales as people wait for 7, but at the same time, do not cut too deeply into at launch sales, which would hurt OEM's - upgrades after all, are not tied to new PC's. These are just a few off the top of my head, but each I think is sound and consistent with what is going on. Oh... and (no intentional hit on him really) “IF” Paul had ever stared down the barrel of making a payroll, payroll tax, benefits and other costs with great regularity over a long time, none of this would be a mystery at all. His analysis would reflect similar things to what I have offered above and be entirely understood. A sober reading audience would say something along the lines of: "Oh, I get it, it's like a lot of other businesses making and selling stuff." Simple answer: you sell out of product you offer at a discount when you've reached your sales goals for the product. And if I may end this post with a question: as a percentage of people who have pre-paid for lower cost upgrades, what percentage have been exposed to the granular arguments around the sale and of that percentage, how many of them give a flip? Without being flippant, you can see that what I mean is that Microsoft hasn't been selling to guys like us, but has been selling to those in (not around) their markets.

There's an easier and better alternative to this, which can also partially replace the need for a web browser and also be used to create desktop web applications a-la Chrome and Firefox Prism... http://www.derekoharrow.com/?p=60