Convergence Conversation

Convergence Glue - Your Right To Choose

The web browser has become one of the most critical and trusted relationships of our modern lives – with nearly perfect knowledge of everything we do. It is the lens through which we look at the virtual world, and the medium by which we connect, learn, share, and collaborate. It is the bridge for everything convergence, the glue that sticks everything together.

How would you feel if I told you there is an election currently going on in Europe and you should be voting if you're an Internet Explorer user? Do you know who the parties are? Do you know who you are voting for? Do you even know what you would be voting about?

In December 2009, the European Commission and Microsoft arrived at a resolution of a number of long-standing competition law issues. Microsoft made a legally binding commitment that PC manufacturers and users will able to install ANY browser on Windows, to make ANY browser the default browser, and to turn access to Internet Explorer on or off.

As of yesterday, March 1st, 2010, when a consumer tries to connect to Internet Explorer, they will be confronted with a browser choice screen that will present them with a list of browsers, with links to learn more about them and install them as the default.

It is important that we make informed choices about the software and services used to access the Internet and realise how choosing the right browser can affect your online experience. 

Unlike Google's aggressive ad spend, Mozilla has decided to engage and debate. They've launched a new web site to encourage people to discuss browser choice, what the Web means to them and to share their experiences.

Check out http://opentochoice.org/  to find out more.