Microsoft amends code for browser ballot screen

Microsoft's ballot screen continues to upset some browser developers

Microsoft has tweaked its new browser ballot software after accusations that some browsers appeared more regularly in first position, including Internet Explorer.

Kevin Kutz, director for public affairs at Microsoft, confirmed that the company had altered the algorithms that decide the positioning of the browsers.

"We are confident that the algorithm change will be an improvement. As always, we are grateful for the feedback we get from developers, and we thank those who commented on the topic and suggested change," he said.

The initial problem with the code was found by IBM employee Rob Weir, who believes that the flaw was unintentional and most likely the result of code written by inexperienced programmers.

Weir said in a blog post that the changes to the code for the ballot screen will solve the issue.

"Sometime last week Microsoft updated the code for the browser choice web site with a new random shuffle algorithm. Aside from being much faster, it gives much better results," he said.

However, the browser ballot still remains a contentious issue. Many smaller firms have argued that they are unfairly placed on the screen and have petitioned the EU to intervene.