Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!munnari.oz.au!metro!usage.csd.unsw.oz.au!plod.cbme.unsw.oz.au!troy
From: troy@plod.cbme.unsw.oz.au (Troy Rollo)
Newsgroups: comp.windows.ms.programmer
Subject: Microsoft Australia restricts SDK documentation!
Keywords: Bastards!
Message-ID: <1434@usage.csd.unsw.oz.au>
Date: 8 May 91 22:00:03 GMT
Sender: news@usage.csd.unsw.oz.au
Reply-To: troy@plod.cbme.unsw.oz.au (Troy Rollo)
Organization: Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Uni of NSW
Lines: 65

From the comp.windows.ms.programmer frequently asked questions:
>    1.	Use the Microsoft Windows SDK (Software Development Kit).  This is
>
>	but it is possible to use it with other compilers, such as Zortech
>	C++ (but not including most Borland compilers).  If you plan to use
>
>	Of these, Borland C++ and Turbo Pascal for Windows include their
>	own Windows libraries, and do not require you to purchase a Windows
>	SDK (although you will need to buy the SDK documentation, which is
>	available separately).  Applications written using Borland C++  will
>	not run in Windows 3.0 Real Mode, nor do they permit the use of
>	huge pointers.

*FLAME ON*

While Microsoft US allows the documentation to be purchased separately,
the dickless wonders at Microsoft Australia have decided that *NOBODY*
in Australia shall be allowed to have the documentation for the SDK
unless they buy the entire SDK, at A$850 a copy! 

This leaves anybody.
programming for MS Windows with Borland C++ with a large, lead weight
hanging from their balls. (Although this is admittedly much better than
programming with the unbelievably inferior Microsoft C compilers, which
are like programming with your balls cut off!)

It seems that Microsoft Australia's executives are so damned gutless
about competition that they've decided to effectively deny access to those
who choose Borland's products to the documentation which is essential
to work with windows.

On the other hand, people with network licenses fot the full SDK *can* order
the documentation seperately, so we know that Microsoft Oz have the books
sitting there. this is a DELIBERATE ploy to stiffle fair competition by
Borland, and represents an admisssion that Microsoft's products are so
far inferior that thaey cannot hope to compete against even a more
expensive product (from memory, Borland C is a few hundred dollars more,
but don't take that as gospel).

This is not the first time I have had cause to flame Microsoft. As far
as I am concerned, in future I will avoid Microsoft products wherever
possible, a policy which I have had great pleasure in implementing while
shopping for books  today, turning down a Microsoft product I would
otherwise have bought.

Quite plainly Microsoft Australia is in need of a quick kick in the arse,
then of being hung upside down by the balls for a few weeks, clobbered
about the head with a baseball bat and fed to a pack of rotweillers after
lunch.

*FLAME OFF*

Hmmmm... I'm mellowing with age.....


I have contacted the Trade Practices Commission. They are not certain
if there has been a breach of the Trade Practices Act, however they did
say that the entire computer suppliers industry in Australia is to
be thoroughly investigated. Apparently the volume of complaints is so
large they're just going to go over it with a fine toothed comb to
try to get everything out of the way at once. The comment I was given
was "The computer wholesale industry in Australia is about the most
unethical industry in the country"
___________________________________________________________
troy@mr_plod.cbme.unsw.oz.au