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18 Mar 2010
Browser firm Opera has said that it has seen a massive 85 per cent increase in UK downloads of its Opera 10.50 browser since the introduction of Microsoft's Browser Ballot screen at the start of the month.
The firm said that more than half of all downloads in Europe come directly from the new choice screen, with the European average showing a 130 per cent increase in downloads as a result of the EU-mandated ballot screen.
Downloads coming via the browser ballot screen in the UK make up 46 per cent of total downloads in the country.
Håkon Wium Lie, Opera’s chief technology officer, said the figures justified the decision to force Microsoft to run the Browser Ballot screen.
"When users are given a real choice on how they choose the most important piece of software on their computer, the browser, they will try out alternatives. A multitude of browsers will make the web more standardised and easier to browse," he said.
The figures were taken from Opera's download statistics recorded over 12-14
March.
The rollout of the Browser Ballot will continue into May for existing Windows
computers and for a further five years on new installations.
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Do you agree?
Microsoft being forced to advertise other software providers
I'd be really PO'd if I was a microsoft worker/shareholder. Imagine doing some consultancy and having to be forced to advertise other consultants services! PS Microsoft is NOT a monopoly. They make a very succesful product, that is all. If they were a monoply we could only use their product, and no other, by decree of the government (the government is a monopoly providor of many services btw). If they were a monopoly you'd be imprisoned and bum raped if you tried to write your own competing OS.
Posted by: RG 18 Mar 2010
Downloads are fine, but...
The spike in downloads is interesting, but there are other important questions to ask. Did others also see downloads jump? And most importantly, which browsers are actually USED a month from now? Downloads are fine but what people actually end up using is what's meaningful in the end. By the way, I'm a long time Opera user.
Posted by: Max Flight 18 Mar 2010