Microsoft to help Firefox and Thunderbird run on Vista

News from Beta News. In order to ensure the software runs without glitch in Microsoft's upcoming operating system, Windows Vista, Microsoft's open source lab is inviting Mozilla developers to help making sure Firefox and Thunderbird run on Windows Vista.

Microsoft Invites Mozilla Devs Over
The head of Microsoft's open source lab is inviting Mozilla developers up to Redmond for some help in making sure Firefox and Thunderbird run on Windows Vista. The offer is part of a weekly lab Microsoft is holding for developers in order to reduce application compatibility problems.
With Windows Vista nearing its first release candidate, application compatibility has taken center stage. If customers' applications don't seamlessly work with the new operating system, many will hold off on upgrading. In turn, Microsoft has begun to seek out bigger developers and work with them directly.

For more detail, please refer to Microsoft Invites Mozilla Devs Over (BetaNews, 21 August, 2006)

 

Wow, what a concept!

Personally, I feel this is absolutely terrific. MS is admitting that Fx and TB are competitors worthy enough to be given attention. It seems that they (MS) anticipate users choosing the Mozilla applications in lieu of IE7 +, and especially interesting in view of the fact that IE7 + is not an integral part of the Vista OS.

 

I am being forced to work on Vista full time because of a mobo failure on my main machine. Firefox is working perfectly so far, more then a week, but I haven't tried Thunderbird.
Roger

 

Microsoft Invites Mozilla Devs Over

It is good business sense on MS part. MS is "On the Bubble" with Vista OS. Corporate America shudders at what Vista will break in their hierarchy of 3rd party business applications coexisting with Vista. Not to mention a re-learning of a OS from Admin to user. Typical home user is faced with same decisions ... learn a new OS and spend, spend, spend for new hardware. The browser choice is a battle they would prefer to ignore. They want to win the war ... sell, sell, sell Vista.

 

Thanks for the heads up, Roger.

Dennis, point taken! I also have to wonder about the PC's which PC manufacturer's claim to be Vista ready. I think they are, but only if you get the top of the line HW, etc., in order to reach the maximum Vista system requirements, and not minimum. Looks as if everyone will be making money on this OS...

 

Firefox 1.50.06 and Thuderbird 1.5.0.05, is already work great on MS vista Beta 2 Build 5384, so why even except the offer?

 

Hi Ramona,

Noticed the same. I've looked at both Dell and HP, and both true to form, make you dig for even the mention of Vista Levels, let alone what they mean.

Amongest the uninitiated, I think there will be an awfull lot of disappointed Laptop purchasers.

Regards - Charles

 

Charles,

Unfortunately, I fear you are so right. We of the unwashed masses will be beating our chests, and jumping up and down in frustration!

Dell claims that their XPS Desktops are Vista ready, The XPS 700 spec's do look Vista-ready, but check out the price. Holy, cow!