Microsoft, which yesterday caused a stir by preventing non-Internet Explorer users from viewing msn.com, has removed the block and the note encouraging users to download Internet Explorer instead. Microsoft initially claimed that browsers such as Opera and Mozilla were blocked because they don’t support XHTML, and therefore the browsing experience would be degraded. However, Jon von Tetzchner, CEO of Opera, fired back: “Opera’s XHTML standard is of the highest quality… it is internationally acclaimed and renowned for its strict compliance with all international Internet standards. Maybe Microsoft should take a look at its lack of respect for the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) international Internet standards before bad-mouthing others.” Furthermore, a check of msn.com revealed that it doesn’t even validate as an XHTML document. Competitors claim this incident reflects Microsoft’s continued will to dominate markets with less-than-orthodox tactics.
