Posted by Andrew on February 01, 2002 at 13:49:34:
In Reply to: Microsoft posted by Mirko on February 01, 2002 at 00:53:20:
Microsoft is too big to die simply because of the mistreatment of Ukrainian customers. Microsoft is basically a monopoly in the PC operating system market. So if Microsoft chooses to abuse that monopoly and screw some whole nation in Europe, there is very little we can do about it. Bill Gates' personal worth is several times bigger than Ukraine's GDP. He also doesn't really care about those people, as far as I know.
: The original "Abdulla" letter does not go nearly far enough in describing a Ukrainian user's frustration with MS Windows. As a Ukrainian speaking Canadian, living just a short drive north of Microsoft's home town , I found documents created in one version of Windows become unreadable in a newer version, or require hours of character by character correction. That is not very funny if you're dealing with a 120 page book. What was created in Windows 3.something required days to make legible in Win95. When upgraded to Win98 it remains legible but cannot be edited without Word switching to a different style font for the new material, yet converting the original to that style results in empty squares. Strangely, the same document works in WinME after re-loading an old font, although the same technique didn't work for Win98. The whole process of using Ukrainian in Windows is scary. One's own magnus opus turns into something less legible than Egyptian hieroglyphics. The ephemiral and transient nature of electronic documents becomes shockingly apparent. The only safe backup is ink on paper! I suggest that Bill Gates re-invent the ballpoint pen, package it in a large box with reams of manuals, sell it for $499 and call it Windows 2003. It stands to reason why Ukraine has turned into a nation of hackers.
: Now, to paraphrase from "Jurassic Park" "the market finds a way". Either Microsoft serves it's clients - or it suffers and dies.
: : : : Адреси:
: : : : homepage@microsoft.com
: : : : webmaster@msn.com
: : : : support@hotmail.com
: : : : piracy@microsoft.com