N stands for Nothing: The EU is allowing
Microsoft to use the letter “N” to designate the version of Windows XP
that complies with the EU’s antitrust judgement that required them to
strip out their media player. As you may recall, when the EU wouldn’t
let MS get away with naming the product “Windows XP Reduced Media
Edition,” (translation: Don’t buy this version), I suggested ten names Microsoft could use, including a letters only name, Microsoft Windows FU-EU. Dan Gillmor also invited his readers to suggest names.
