more on Suggestion Regarding Google/IE Search Default Controversy

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Adam Fields <ip20398470293845 () aquick org>
Date: May 2, 2006 12:21:30 PM EDT
To: David Farber <dave () farber net>
Cc: ip () v2 listbox com
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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