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[IP] more on Suggestion Regarding Google/IE Search Default Controversy





Begin forwarded message:

From: Adam Fields <ip20398470293845@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: May 2, 2006 12:21:30 PM EDT
To: David Farber <dave@xxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: ip@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [IP] Suggestion Regarding Google/IE Search Default Controversy

For IP, if you wish:

On Tue, May 02, 2006 at 11:53:15AM -0400, David Farber wrote:
[...]
Luckily, there's a relatively simple way to solve this problem.
Instead of assigning a default search engine at installation time,
browser installation procedures should offer each user a list of
search engines (plus an "other choice" mechanism) from which to
choose.  The order of search engines on this list would be
individually randomized for presentation to each user.  Once this
choice has been made, it would persist between upgrades of the
browser.  Also, it should require no more than one click to again
access that list to change search engine choices, and a link to that
capability (e.g., the text "Change" in a small font) should be
present at all times in the immediate vicinity of the search box.

I urge Microsoft (and regulators, if necessary) to consider this
approach.  I would also suggest that Mozilla (Firefox) and other
browser developers move in a similar direction.

Fundamental fairness demands no less.

Except that Google pays a huge sum of money each year to both Mozilla
and Opera in order to be the default search page. This money has been
touted as a strong driving factor in keeping both of those browsers
free and constantly developed, so they're unlikely to consider this
fair solution.

--
                                - Adam

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