Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!microsoft!roberth
From: roberth@microsoft.UUCP (Robert HESS)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Re: Ode to Electronic Mail
Message-ID: <54025@microsoft.UUCP>
Date: 10 Apr 90 14:51:33 GMT
References: <618.apple.net2@pro-grouch>
Organization: Microsoft Corp., Redmond WA
Lines: 69


Lynda Botez (lbotez@pro-grouch.cts.com) comments about eMail and Apple:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Why doesn't this innovative giant, Apple Computer, have some kind
     of electronic mailbox where people can forward their comments and
     concerns to them directly?  There are numerous users on this
     internet of nets (and that includes the MacIntosh people too) who
     would love to be able to contact Apple directly through electronic
     mail.  Surely this medium is as valuable as a printed letter; it
     certainly is easily accessible by millions of people.  And it is so
     "leading edge".  Just think what we could accomplish with such
     accessibility...


And I respond:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lynda (and others who I am sure share this view),

To a large extent, this newsgroup *is* the generic email link to Apple.

Here at Microsoft, we are also highly entrenched in eMail usage
througout the company.  *Everybody* has an email address that is
published in a company 'phone-book' (but of course this book is
'confidential', and cannot be distributed to the outside world).

I am sure that Apple is similarly setup, and eMail is very important to
them.  So, why don't they have a 'generic' comments address?  Probably
for the same reason that we don't, a 'physical' letter carries a lot
more clout.

By the simple fact that it *does* take more effort to physically write
and mail a letter, means that those issues that are really important to
an individual, are the ones that will be sent.

If Apple were to have a published 'comments' email alias, then they
would probably be so flooded with postings, that the importance of any
one of them would be diminished to insignificance.

There are several of us here at Microsoft, who regularly monitor the
DOS, WINDOWS, and OS2 newsgroups, and note the concerns and comments of
the subscribers.  Several people at Apple appear to be doing the same.

Usually, I will respond directly to the poster in private eMail, but if
the issue raised of interest to a wider audience, I will post to the
newsgroup.  When appropriate, I forward copies of the original posting,
and my response, to the group here in Microsoft that is responsible for
that particular topic.  But probably what is more important, is that I
read the newsgroups, and get a feeling of what the 'real' world is
doing, and thinking.  There have been numerous occasions that I have
been able to control the direction of some of our development based on
some of this feedback.

By posting to this newsgroup, Dave, Matt, Cary and others read your
comments, and when appropriate, pass these comments and feelings to the
individuals who will listen to them.  Just because they don't always
respond, doesn't mean they aren't listening.

But if you have a comment that is *really* important to you, then please
send 'physical' mail to Apple.  This carries far more weight then eMail.

-Robert

 __________________________________________________________________________
     #####   ####### |	  Robert B. Hess, Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA
    ######  #######  |-----------------------------------------------------
   ####### #######   |	roberth@microsof.uu.net
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   "...my opinions are strictly my own, and not those of my employer..."