Why Google Bundled StarOffice with Google Pack
Many people have been going on about the reasons why Google bundled StarOffice instead of the completely free open-source OpenOffice.org office suite into their Google Pack suite of free downloads.
Techcrunch seems to think it's got something to do with Google lending credibility, Lifehacker thinks that it's about jabbing Microsoft in some way…
Here's the real reason why: when I went to install the latest Java update, I get this dialog asking if I want to install the Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer.
It's all about business… Google wants their toolbar installed on every IE installation that they can, so they will get advertising revenue, and here's what they offer to sun (notice StarOffice in the list)
Makes sense to me.
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I Agree… and I don't like it… I couldn't care less what google offer for download, but sun should keep Java downloads clean of bundles (NetBeans excluded for the SDK ^_^). But, google tool bar, come on… get a grip… firefox already got a perfectly fine search field and no one in their right minds would use IE.
StarOffice normally costs a fair bit but it's free through Google Pack… Why?