i dont understand whats RealNetworks problem is, just because MS bundle XP with WMedia Player, doesnt mean people dont install Real Player, if u need to play rm files u can only play it with Real Player, and MPClassic also, its not like WMP can play rm files, but Real Player can play all kinds of files, so MS such sue Real Networks in all fairness. If this is the case then MS cannot bundle the built in cd writer, the compression tools (built in winzip), defragmenter, Movie Maker, backup utility, built in firewall, and they want to add a virus scan app, and all the other stuff that we do use if we dont install 3rd party apps like WinZip, WinRAR, Nero, Easy CD. But many of us do install these apps and they work fine in XP, XP doesnt intentionally make it difficult for us to use them, infact, by building many of these functionalities into XP they allow many people who dont know how to use these files to utilize them. Many people who havent used zip files before can now easily without much hassle use them in xp.

If this goes on then why would MS bother to add new stuff to xp, in someone or the other is going to claim that its not fair to bundle stuff in an OS.Many of us still need Real Player, WMP doesnt take the need out of RP, i agree back in the days of Netscape vs. IE, Netscape did lose out to IE, because it was easily available and free but not in this case. I'd hate to have to go and install individual apps fro the MS website everytime, just because it cant be bundled with the OS.

Infact the new DVD-HD format is now supposed to be WMP compatible, so whats the use if i need to get the WMP separately?