Yesterday, as part of the launch of Windows XP, Microsoft let loose a new version of MSN.com (no link provided as I don't want them getting hits from here). Unfortunately for alternative (read: non-Microsoft) browser users, this new version of MSN.com won't allow them to enter. Instead, we are greeted with the following:
Attention: Web Browser Upgrade Required to View MSN.com
If you are seeing this page, we have detected that the browser that you are using will not render MSN.com correctly. Additionally, you'll see the most advanced functionality of MSN.com only with the latest version of Microsoft Internet Explorer or MSN Explorer. If you wish to visit MSN.com, please select the appropriate download link below.
Internet Explorer for Windows
Internet Explorer for Macintosh
MSN Explorer for Windows
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The alternative browser community quickly went into an uproar. CNET's News.com reported the problem early on Thursday. Slashdot quickly ran with the story. Two bugs entered Mozilla's Bugzilla. Efforts were renewed to add user-agent switching to Mozilla. The public's reaction reminded me of the out-rage surrounding SmartTags.
Late Thursday afternoon, Microsoft told CNET they would again allow Opera and Mozilla users into MSN.com. As of Friday morning, nothing had changed.
Opera Software wasn't going to sit by quietly and allow this to happen. In a press release on Friday, Opera threw Microsoft's accusations right back at them. As reported in the press release, MSN.com doesn't validate as XHTML according W3C, the standards body Microsoft stated they adhered to. Opera's web site does validate correctly according to the W3C Validator.
I can only see this action by Microsoft as a publicity stunt. They're trying to spread their lies to as many people as possible through any medium available. I sent the following to CNET's Michael Kanellos, department editor, Enterprise Computing and Personal Technology in an attempt to counter-act Microsoft's lies.
I'm writing you regarding the recent stories by CNET on Microsoft's publicity stunt denying access to MSN.com to non-Microsoft browsers. As an Opera user, I am again appalled at their continuous attempts to stifle the development of alternative browsers. Microsoft's statements of lacking W3C standards support in non-Microsoft browsers are ironically inaccurate. According to Opera Software's press release addressing Microsoft's recent actions (available at http://www.opera.com/pressreleases/20011026.html), the MSN.com web pages don't adhere to the standards Microsoft accuses Opera and Mozilla of not supporting. As just one example of Microsoft's lack of standards support, a quick look at the CSS1 conformance chart (while not yet including statistics for IE 6 yet) at WebReview.com shows IE on Windows falls fair behind Opera and Mozilla in standards compliance.
I hope that CNET recognizes they are merely being used by Microsoft as a medium to further spread their monopolistic message. Microsoft's statements to CNET were false. Please don't fall prey to their lies. As of 11:27am EDT, Opera is still denied access to MSN.com when identifying itself as the Opera browser.
Thank you for having an open ear and desire to portray the truth to the public.
The only way Internet users will continue to enjoy the freedom they're used to is to oppose Microsoft's monopolistic actions. The future envisioned by Microsoft is a bleak future at best.
