Special thanks to NetAction for their help with this petition!

Petition to Remove IE from the Windows 95 Desktop

If Compaq, Micron, and Gateway (hereby referred to as the computer makers) were to ignore the threat and continue shipping computers without the IE icon on the desktop, Microsoft would likely NOT revoke their license. Compaq is Microsoft's biggest customer, and Gateway and Micron are among Microsoft's top ten customers. Even if Microsoft -- despite the unlikeliness of the situation -- did revoke their license, the court may end up ruling that it must stick to the license agreement anyways. And even if the court doesn't rule that it must, the computer makers have plenty of competing operating systems to turn to, three of them being IBM's OS/2, Apple's forthcoming Rhapsody, and the Be OS.

So here is a petition to tell the comuter makers to remove the IE icon from the Windows 95 desktop. It was sent to the their e-mail addresses, along with the signatures and comments of those that signed.

This is a petition for Compaq, Micron, and Gateway 2000 to remove the Internet Explorer icon from the Windows 95 desktop on their computers. While Microsoft may have threatened to revoke the Windows 95 license, they are NOT likely to follow through on their threat, because all three computer makers are very large customers of Microsoft. Please check out http://users.aol.com/machcu/petition.html if you desire more information on the petition. I will forward signatures and comments from those who sign the petition. Thank you for your time.

We have accumulated 86 signatures:

Mark Stern - JudgeMark1@aol.com

Andrea Johnson - andria@mindless.com

sa2559817@ntu.edu.sg

David Corcoran - corcordt@cs.purdue.edu

abslogic@netonecom.net

Peter da Graca - pdgraca@euronet.nl

vido@hol.fr

I want to sign this petition. I don't know if it can be of any effective immediate consequence, but if we are a lot, this may be the beginning of many other such initiatives ;-)

Michael Pence - mikep@gte.net

crioux@geocities.com

It's time to break up Microsoft into at least 2 separate companies, one for OS, and one for applications.

Zip - e6072@iut-orsay.fr

Karl - khulrich@uncc.edu

Thanks for the effort!

Bill Webb - bgip@ix.netcom.com

I fully support the petition to remove M$ Explorer icons from the desktop. I firmly believe that Microsoft is using illegal practices, like giving away web browsers, to gain a monopoly on another computer market, the Internet. Personally, I'd rather have MSIE itself deleted along with the icon.

Octavio Rojas - orojas@acnet.net

Sunil Jayakumar - sunil.jkumar@axcess.net.in

I fully support this petition and i think it is really necessary and high time that someone did something about it. i use netscape and this icon just sits around doing nothing. Also how does one remove the inbox icon (MS-exchange)?

thanx

Clay Fisher - tradok@usa.net

It's about time Microsoft has had to account for it's actions. If a few companies would actually stand up to MS, they would be setting an example that Microsoft can't really do anything if the bully tactics fail. Can MS pull a lisence for removing an icon? Possibly, but they can't afford to, it would put the ousted company in a position to reveal ALL of MS's tactics, and that is something they can not allow. It would force a company to use another OS in their systems, denying the monopoly MS desires so badly. The lion has no teeth.

Erik - erik@flits102-126.flits.rug.nl

Putting IE on a machine is like selling a house without locks.

Sunil Jayakumar - sunil.jkumar@axcess.net.in

thanks for trying And for your mail.

Anton Vysotskiy - root@vysotskiyant.dyn.ml.org

Hello, my name is Anton Vysotskiy. I absolutely agree with you about M$IeE and want to sign the petition. If there is anything else I can do - mail me.

frappo333@juno.com

Dan Ridley - thedragon@bigfoot.com

DeMeNtiA@ImTooSexy.com

It is time for this atrocious monoply to be abolished

Sophia Field - sophie@brigadoon.com

I hope every day that something will happen to put Microsoft in it's place. Computers should involve some level of choice, after all. I'm looking forward to the Be OS. Good luck with this petition.

James Barrow - jambarjam@webfactory.co.uk

I fully agree with the petition, and feel that it is time that something is done about microsoft's unfair and probably illegal tactics

Peter - peter.perlsoe@ngg.com (replace .com with .dk)

msdest@mnsi.net

It is time for Microsoft to pay for their actions. What they call business is robbery.

Anonymous

Thanks for starting the petition. I agree--actually, I'd like a choice of operating systems. I have put together my own system, so I can avoid having Windows 95 preloaded, but I know of nowhere locally that I can buy a new computer without Windows 95. The computer makers can count on receiving none of my business until I can buy a computer from them free from Microsoft software.

willyfarrell@hotmail.com

Robert Parker - parkers1@ix.netcom.com

If the auto industry was in the same boat, all cars sold, regardless of make would have a Ford engine.

gpinckney@earthlink.net

If an oil company owned all the gas stations in Tennessee, and charged $5/gallon there, and at the same time gave away free gas in areas where there was competition... It mystifies me that there is any confusion at all about the issues here. I resent having to pay a penny for Windows 95 (of course hidden in the cost of the machine) while MS says I should really appreciate how little they charge for such great software. Thanks.

khill@iquest.net

dbikman@bwc.org

Jean-François "Jeff" Poirier - jeff@horslimites.qc.ca

Enough of Bill's returning us to the old 40s days when you had to stick with one technology or another. Open Systems are the only way for real expansion of Computer Science in the world, and the word "proprietary" should be called to disappear in all distributed/network/OS applications...

bargar@ix2.ix.netcom.com

Sure, IE is free now, but wait until it's the only show in town. Gates is no humanitarian. He doesn't give anything away unless he will ultimately benifit from it. This society used to understand the dangers of uncontrolled monopolies. What happened?

slay@c-villa.be

Microsoft's stranglehold on this industry must cease!

John Hampton III - jhampton@alankay.nj.devry.edu

mcafee@umich.edu

Rodney C. Marable - marable@firefly.net

David Gutshall - mrnascar@netrax.net

With the DOJ on the prowl... now is the time for consumers to act in the best interest of consumer choice. If you want IE, you can download it or buy it. If Microsoft still insists on companies putting the IE logo on personal PC desktops, then EVERY other browser company should have the same right.

Jeff - jsnorman@yahoo.com

When Microsoft came for the dos utilities, we said "what do we care, we don't make dos utility software ..." And Microsoft eliminated the dos utility market. Then, when Microsoft came for the disk compression utilities. We said, "what do we care, we don't make disk compression software .... and besides, we like getting it free in our dos and windows packages." And Microsoft eliminated the disk

compression software market. Later, Microsoft came for the office applications market. We said, "What do we care, we don't make office applications ... and besides, Microsoft has done a really good job of integrating office applications with Windows 95." And Microsoft eliminated (well, almost) the office applications market.

Recently, Microsoft has come for the browser and java markets. You could just say, "Hey, I only sell computers, what do I care whether Microsoft sells the only browser and markets the only java in the world? ... And besides, I can't risk making Microsoft mad; after all, who is there left to stand up for me now that all those other applications software companies are gone?" But then, who will be left to stand up for you when Microsoft decides to enter the hardware business?

mjackson@thunderbirdgaming.com

andre_b@mediaone.net

mlkman@bigfoot.com

kjor@aros.net

I don't want Microsoft strong-arming manufacturers. Windows is bloatware.

Christian J. Robinson - infynity@cyberhighway.net

Microsoft is even going after Java by putting incompatibilites in their software. They must be stopped! They killed Dr DOS years ago by making their windows software claim there were incompatibilities, when there weren't.

Prabhu Manyem - pmanyem@gte.net

Here is a website which describes Microsoft's behaviour/ethics:

http://themes-n-schemes.com/msmethod.htm

Jacqui Hunt - jacqui@nettl.usyd.edu.au

Freedom of Choice is to be preserved - the sad thing is that customers don't even realise the choice - black or black - as in the days of the first Fords - but then there was an excuse - black was all there was....

Calvin J. Wiseman - cjwisem@ibm.net

I'm sick and tired of Microsoft's monopolistic practices. I currently run OS/2 Warp 3.0 and I will continue to use OS/2 even without all the software choices. Why? OS/2 is simply a better OS. The main reason is to send a message that not everybody cowtows to MS and Bill. If more home users start to take digital responsibility and sign this petition and email their Congressmen/women and convey in a polite informative way that MS doesn't play fair. What their trying to do to the internet is the same thing they already did to the desktop. The analogy being OS/2 as Netscape vs. MS Windows3.x/95/NT as IE. Makes for an unpretty picture. Keep in mind MS helped develope OS/2 and then opted to make Windows the defacto desktop standard if we let them do the same to internet browsers we'll all be forced to put up with MS checking our hard drives to see what's on them. I for one don't like this scenario. If manufacturers don't stand up to MS who will? Users can't do much considering the fact that MS doesn't really care what we think.

rkaphing@mr.net

Microsoft must be stopped now! It is imperative that the internet retain open standards and platform independence. If Microsoft continues it's monopolistic practice of "dumping" it's Internet Explorer application, and is not halted from manipulating Sun's Java language, the internet will become proprietary property of Microsoft Corperation. The internet was created for the free exchange of ideas and information. This technology should not be controlled by one man and one company. Standard oil was broken up. AT&T was broken up. Why should the company that controls every aspect of the computing industry not be broken up?

Thank you for starting this petition. It is the words and actions of people like yourself that will lead to the eventual demise of Microsoft's monopoly!

Bill Rude - brude@pobox.com

It is high time that the public view of Microsoft turns away from their financial succes and to their technological inaptitude.

jpthrow@eos.ncsu.edu

I don't like suppliers telling customers what they can and cannot do.

Hank Bromley - hbromley@acsu.buffalo.edu

Arnold Smith - smithar2@cadvision.com

Aside from resenting not having choices, I object to having a mediocre OS and Browser dominate the market, not because of merit, but because of proprietary monopoly. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that we are all ultimately going to end up 'paying through the nose'.

javac@pacific.net.sg

I fully support the petition.

Timothy K. Timlin - timothy_usa@mindspring.com

jdidom@inreach.com

leelord@nyct.net

tom@tyco.net.au

If they produced decent gear, this petition would not be necessary.

Robert Westmoreland - khr@earthlink.net

Dan Baigent - dan.baigent@Sun.COM

kkirkham@netsentinels.com

Please remove IE from your computers. I choose to use another browser and when IE is present it requires substantial effort to first remove IE and to install another browser. If IE is present and is executed there are often problems with my chosen browser. IE is predatory and should not be part of the system unless I want it there.

Michael D. Lloyd - MichaelLloyd@bigfoot.com

I am very pleased to find that I am an early signer on this petition.

I have been a small computer business owner since 1992 and have been concerned about the growing threat Microsoft poses to free enterprise in this technological age we live in. I am continually surprised to find how few people seem to be concerned about one company having so much control and dominance in this important industry, especially with the ruthless tactics that Microsoft has demonstrated. I will continue to support efforts that appose such agressive and ruthless practices such as those demonstrated by Microsoft.

trevor2@pipeline.com

Claire Macdonald - claribba@jps.net

Jeff Reed - jeffreed@wclynx.com

Add me on to the petition list. As a teacher of history and technology, I find it ironic how similar this plea to restrict unfair business practices resembles the struggle of a hundred years ago.

mccay@UTKUX.UTCC.UTK.EDU

Stop microsoft, cut it off at the knees. MS is out for one thing, domination. Unless something is done now, it will succeed. We need open standards for OS's. Please force MS to stop ramming 'free' IE down our throats. Only the inexperienced would actually believe MS is 'nice' for giving IE away for free. MS is out to kill any and all competition and MS's practice is as ruthless and decieving as a company can get. Punish MS severely for forcing this IE icon on our computers. Punish MS severly for forcing the industry to pre-install IE on new computer systems. Break MS's stranglehold on computer manufactureres. DO NOT allow MS to include or bundle IE as 'part of the desktop' on win98! Force them to package it seperately and let people CHOOSE to obtain it if they actually want it.

samu@uta.fi

Isn't it about time somebody stood up and stopped Microsoft to tell others how to run their business. Unbundle IE now.

alask@holly.colostate.edu

Jason Scott - maia@olywa.net

The one thing all people charish, the ability to choose, is being compromised by the almighty dollar. It must end and it must end now.

Fox77@wport.com

The issue with Microsoft is that because of their monopoly control of the operating system for personal computers and their size, they are able to force competing companies out of business. This is exactly what Standard Oil and other "robber barons" of the past did to establish huge monopolies and why antitrust laws were created. All that competing software companies are asking for is a level playing field so that the consumer can make an informed decision. What is happening now is that new computer users are either being forced to use Microsoft products or they at least have a very difficult time installing and using a competing product. If this is allowed to continue, we all lose because there won't be any competing products. Innovation will decrease and prices will increase.

macgyver@n9vst.com

dralph01@shadow.net

I sign, therefore I am.

The smallest anticompetitive, monopolistic practices by Microsoft are magnified due to the network effects of our new economy.

ian@onlineloop.com

For years I have chosen an Amiga over an IBM solely because of Microsoft (herin refered to as Mega$loth or M$). I hate their impossible to use "simple" software. And when I have used Netscape and IE, I have found IE to be a total dog. Stand up to M$ and drop IE. I would hope you might even go to OS/2 or something like that. It would be one major thing that would get me to choose one of your computers over a competitor when the time does come for me to buy and IBM compatible.

zontar@mindless.com

The Internet is supposed to be about open standards and freedom of choice. Micro$oft has demonstrated time and time again that they haven't the slightest interest in either. First they poo-poohed the Net, then,

when it took off, they said, "Oh, wow, people really ARE interested in this Internet thing. Let's take it over." The OS wars, the browser wars, the Java wars... I believe it is high time that the company is split

into at least three completely independent divisions: one for Windows (which needs to be made into an open standard), one for desktop applications (NOT to include Internet Explorer!), and one for Internet

applications (IE, servers, etc.). In addition, a very cold, hard look needs to be taken at Micro$oft's efforts to become an Internet content provider. It should be stopped from doing so, or at least have that spun

off into another independent entity as well. And no single person or other entity should be permitted to hold an executive position or a controlling share of stock in more than one division (no overlapping

directorates crap, if you please). This farce of "Internet Explorer IS Windows IS the Internet" has gone on too long as it is, and needs to be brought to a screeching halt.

sri@transarc.com

I have been beta-testing Microsoft Windows NT 5.0 and you CANNOT REMOVE the IE 4.0 Icon from the desktop (leave alone the problem of uninstalling IE 4.0). Also, in the past few months, all MS software like Visual Studio, NT Options Back, Office, etc. refuse to install the said products until IE 4.0 is installed in the system. Stop Microsoft!!!!

Carl Goss - cnb@worldnet.att.net

sdimitratos@usa.net

I will not buy any PC with Micro$oft Internet Explorer preloaded.

Maurice Davis - mjd@earthlink.net

I, for one, would like to see the PC Vendors offer something other than Windows as an OS option when buying a new computer. I have been using Linux for 2 years now and find it far superior to Win95. Since Linux is a free OS (I know it's hard to believe, but Linux really is free for the taking), we should be able to get a price break when ordering a new computer with Linux pre-installed. And please don't say that Linux is too difficult for the average user; while that may have been true even a short time ago, there are now several easy to use distributions of this marvelous OS and the many free applications which are included with it.

If you're not familiar with Linux go to http://sunsite.unc.edu/mdw/linux.html to learn about it. There are real alternatives to Windows available today, alternatives which truely support open standards and the interests of the internet community.

Michael R Clark - mclark@datsit.com

it's time to do something

kintak@whoever.com

I have nothing against Microsoft products, but it is the company's insidious business practices (i.e. threats) that should--and must--be condemned.

Tina Aspiala - aspiala@iname.com

Doris Aspiala - doris1@ibm.net

Keep up the good work.

sentinel@astrobase.bajaobs.hu

GuruGROO@aol.com

M$ must be stopped! It's time for M$ to go the way of Ma Bell. Consumers need to actively choose non-M$ products, or before long they won't have any choice at all.

Paul Hsieh - qed@chromatic.com

It called extorion. If these three companies can stand up to Microsoft, it will put Microsoft in a lose-lose situation. Tell them to consider either Opera or Netscape as possible options.

David Jones - davej@earthling.net

I fully support this petition. I am furious with Microsoft for the contempt that they have shown towards the DOJ decision of last year ordering them to provide OEMs with Win95 minus Explorer. Their comments that it's impossible to remove MS Explorer without disabling Win95 are a

load of bull****. The way that Microsoft behaved was reminiscent of my 10 year old son when I tell him to do his homework.

I have Linux installed on my PC, and the only time I visit my DOS partition is to play games. My suggestion to everybody is to replace Windows with a decent OS like Linux.

wlc@microg.com

I fully support the antitrust actions the US Government had taken against MicroSoft. I only wish they had followed through. At the current rate, those of us who wish to control our own computers, and be aware of where we send information,rather than have it "automatically sent where the software deems necessary., are finding fewere and fewer choices. I feel it would be a service if a listing of alternatives and appropriate programs' sites could be maintained to facilitate self sufficiency. [Editor's note: click here for such a listing.]

Dave - grid@oz.net

Jim Stellner - jstellner@MGE.COM

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